A FIRST FOR THE BIG M

It's always special when a player scores his first National Hockey League goal. And in the case of Frank Mahovlich, his special night came on this date in 1957.

On March 24, the Toronto Maple Leafs were in Detroit to close out their regular season. Mahovlich was in the line-up to play in the final game of his three game tryout. He was coming off a brilliant year with the St. Mike's Majors of the Ontario Hockey Association. The junior A club was sponsored by Conn Smythe's Maple Leafs.

Based on his production with St. Mike's - 52 goals in 49 games - it's clear why the Leafs were foaming at the mouth to see what their top prospect could do in the NHL.

At the Olympia in Detroit, Mahovlich gave them a taste of what they could expect in the future.

While the Leafs were on a power play in the first period, with Marcel Pronovost in the box for elbowing Bobby Baun,  Mahovlich went to work. 

Writing in The Windsor Star, Matt Dennis provided this description of the goal. "Less than a minute had elapsed in the penalty when the Leafs went in front. Dea checked Reaume but the Toronto rearguard got a pass away to Tod Sloan in the Toronto zone. Sloan broke down the boards, cut across in front and laid the pass on Mahovlich's stick. The young pivotman ... lifted a shot over (Glenn, the Detroit goalie) Hall's shoulder from 10 feet out."

In his rookie campaign with Toronto in 1957-58, Mahovlich connected for 20 goals, which was the benchmark for goal scorers at the time. He added 16 assists for 36 points in 67 contests. His overall performance resulted in Mahovlich being named the winner of the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

His goal on March 24, 1957, was the first of 296 goals Mahovlich scored in 720 regular season games as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.