Thursday

Art Chisholm

Art Chisholm was a great university player with the Northeastern Huskies. A two-time All-American center scored a record 100 goals and 81 assists for 181 points in only 71 games between 1959 and 1961. The 1977 Northeastern Hall of Fame inductee was a three-time All-East, All-New England and Beanpot All-Tournament selection. He won the Walter Brown Trophy his junior year as New England's Outstanding Player.

Under the old amateur status rules, Art was personally invited by Bruin GM Lynn Patrick to play for the Bruins in the final 3 games of the 1960-61 season. Chisholm turned down an original offer by the Bruins but accepted this offer.

"You know I refused the Bruins’ first offer of these three games tryout, but I changed my mind when Lynn Patrick called me up again Tuesday afternoon,” said Chisholm at the time.

Despite not scoring a point in his three games with the Bruins, Chisholm impressed the Bruins, their fans and the media.

Coach Milt Schmidt, Mr Boston Bruins himself, felt that Chisholm made a very good showing in his first game.

“I only had to tell him one thing during the entire game,” said Milt, “He had good moves out there but I am not too sure yet about his speed.”

Reporter Henry McKenna had this to say about him:

"Art’s all-round play made one wonder why pro scouts haven’t been chasing him all season. He took regular turn between Jerry Toppazzini and Don McKenney; fore-checked cleverly in the New York end; made nice passes and almost scored in the third period on a Toppa rebound after having had a previous chance ruined a minute before when his stick broke as he shot on a set-up 10 feet in front.

"He looked not at all out of place. He skated far better than expected and fitted into the plays exceptionally well when one realizes he had no practice to become familiar with the Bruins scheme of play.

"His all-around effort definitely was a large factor in the victory only the third in 14 starts vs. the Rangers. Of what he showed last night, Chisholm, the first local boy to be given a chance with the B’s in 14 years, definitely can play professional hockey if he so desires."

Chisholm however didn't desire to play professional hockey. Art opted instead to finish his degree work at NU under their 5-year Co-op plan, thus ending his professional hockey career after only three games.

“I wanted to satisfy myself as to whether I could hold my own in pro hockey or not. Honestly, I figure I am too old to be starting in this game at the age of 25, and lacking the experience might take me too long to catch up.”

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