"He was one of our key men," Blackhawks forward Johnny Gottselig said. "And a potential 60-point man."
To replace Mosienko, the Blackhawks and Maple Leafs engineered what at the time was the biggest trade in hockey history. On Nov. 2, 1947, Toronto acquired Max Bentley and forward Cy Thomas, while Chicago received forwards Gus Bodnar, Gaye Stewart and Bud Poile, plus defensemen Bob Goldham and Ernie Dickens.
With Bentley leading them, the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cups three times (
1948
,
1949
,
1951
) in the next four seasons.
Despite the injury to Mosienko, the all-star game became an annual affair, with Chicago chosen to host the second game. Blackhawks officials wanted it cancelled because of the Mosienko injury but NHL President Clarence Campbell insisted that it be played, and it was.
Once again the All-Stars beat the Cup champion Maple Leafs, this time 3-1 at Chicago Stadium, on Nov. 3, 1948.
While the game has gone through several changes, when the players skate out for the
2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game
at SAP Center in San Jose on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS), it will be the renewal of a wonderful staple of the hockey season.