1957-58

• The National Hockey League Players' Association is formed by Doug Harvey and Ted Lindsay. The two sued the NHL after the league declined to negotiate with the players over benefits. The NHL responded by trading Lindsay to the Chicago Black Hawks to separate him from the Detroit Red Wings, whose players voted to disassociate themselves from the union on the heels of false stories spread by Jack Adams. The NHL and NHLPA would eventually settle their differences out of court.

• Willie O'Ree becomes the first black player in NHL history when he suits up for the Boston Bruins on January 18 against the Montreal Canadiens.

• The Canadiens win their third straight Stanley Cup, beating the Bruins in six games.