1965–66 NHL season 1965–66 NHL season The 1965–66 NHL season was the 49th season of the National Hockey League. Six teams each played 70 games. The Montreal Canadiens won their second consecutive Stanley Cup as they defeated the Detroit Red Wings four games to two in the final series. A new trophy was introduced for this season. Jack Adams won the first Lester Patrick Trophy for his contribution to hockey in the United States. February saw the momentous announcement that six conditional franchises had been awarded to Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, all to begin play in
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy C League championship. Mahon moved up to the Peterborough Petes for the 1969–70 season, scoring 28 goals, 20 assists, and 48 points as a rookie in 46 games. In the 1970–71 season, he scored 45 goals, 44 assists, and 89 points in 62 games. In the summer of 1971, Mahon died in an electrical accident at his grandfather's home in Maidstone. Mahon would have been eligible for the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft. List of winners of the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy. Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy The Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy is awarded annually by the Ontario Hockey League since 1972,