1954–55 NHL season
The 1954–55 NHL season was the 38th season of the National Hockey League. The Detroit Red Wings were the Stanley Cup champions as they defeated the Montreal Canadiens four games to three in the best-of-seven final series. The Canadiens were without star forward Maurice 'Rocket' Richard who had been suspended for the playoffs, a suspension which led to the March 17, 1955 "Richard Riot" in Montreal. League business. Art Ross announced at the league governors meeting that his connection with Boston would terminate at the end of September. As this would be his last appearance  at a league meeting, he took the opportunity to thank the governors and others associated with the league during the 30 years of his being officer of the Boston club for the kindness, courtesy and cooperation he had received, and extended his good wishes for the continued success of the league. Conn Smythe and Frank Selke voiced the good wishes of all present to Ross on his retirement. Prior to the season, Red Wings head coach Tommy Ivan left Detroit to become general manager of the Chicago Black Hawks, and Jimmy Skinner replaced him behind the bench in the Motor  City. One of the first things Ivan did at Chicago was to establish an extensive farm system, something the Black Hawks never had. Regular season. On December 18, 1954, Maurice Richard scored his 400th career goal against Chicago netminder Al Rollins in a 4–1 Canadiens victory over the Black Hawks. Montreal and Toronto played to a 1–1 tie on December 29, at Maple Leaf Gardens. Maurice Richard got a standing ovation when he scored his 401st goal late in the first period. In a scoreless tie at the Montreal Forum on March 10, a new ice cleaner and resurfacer called  a Zamboni was used for the first time. The fans were not appreciative of Toronto's defensive style in this game and threw garbage, including pig's feet, on the ice. The Richard Riot took place on March 17, 1955. Maurice Richard had been suspended by league president Clarence Campbell after an incident in a game against Boston where Richard punched the referee. Richard was suspended for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Campbell's subsequent appearance at a Canadiens' game at the Montreal Forum incited a group of protesters and led to violence in the Forum and  in downtown Montreal. Player statistics. Scoring leaders. "Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes" Source: NHL Leading goaltenders. "Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts" Debuts. The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1954–55 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Last games. The following is a list of players of note that played  their last game in the NHL in 1954–55 (listed with their last team): Intraleague draft. After two years of uneventful draft meetings the NHL intra-league draft meeting on September 15, 1954, the first player was selected for a price of $15,000. All other teams forewent making a selection.