1959 Boston Bruins–New York Rangers European tour

In 1959, the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers went on a 23 game tour of Europe, visiting England, Switzerland, France, Belgium, West Germany and Austria. The Rangers line-up was supplemented by Bobby Hull, Ed Litzenberger, Eric Nesterenko and Pierre Pilote of the Chicago Black Hawks while Andy Bathgate of the Rangers didn't participate as his wife had given birth just before the tour.

It was the first time NHL teams played in Europe since the 1938 Detroit Red Wings–Montreal Canadiens European tour, a nine-game affair in Paris and London that the Canadiens won, 5-3-1.

During the tour, the teams experimented with an orange puck, designed by Clair Kenney. The players didn't like it and complained it looked like a blur on the ice.

Bobby Hull credits the series for his later success as he was allowed to play a freewheeling style instead of a checking role, which he had during his first two years with Chicago. The Rangers won the series with a record of 11–9–3.

Date	City	Team	Team	Score
April 29	London, England	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	7–5
April 30	London, England	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–3
May 2	Geneva, Switzerland	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–3
May 3	Geneva, Switzerland	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	12–4
May 4	Paris, France	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–2
May 5	Paris, France	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–4
May 6	Antwerp, Belgium	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–3
May 7	Antwerp, Belgium	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–3
May 8	Antwerp, Belgium	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	8–4
May 9	Zurich, Switzerland	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	7–6
May 10	Zurich, Switzerland	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–2
May 12	Dortmund, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–2
May 13	Dortmund, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–4
May 14	Essen, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–4
May 15	Essen, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–3
May 16	Krefeld, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	8–0
May 17	Krefeld, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	7–2
May 19	Berlin, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–6
May 20	Berlin, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	3–2
May 21	Berlin, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	8–2
May 22	Vienna, Austria	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	2–2
May 23	Vienna, Austria	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	5–3
May 24	Vienna, Austria	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–4

Gallery

John Bucyk scores on Gump Worsley during the Bruins 12-4 romp in Geneva, May 3, 1959.

Program from the games played in Zurich, Switzerland on May 9-10, 1959.

See Also

• 1938 Detroit Red Wings–Montreal Canadiens European tour
• List of international games played by NHL teams