To suggest that the 1969-70 Omaha Knights were loaded would be the utmost of understatements. No less than 16 players off this team would skate in the NHL. Coach Larry Popein and general manager Jake Milford would also earn the right to ply their trade on hockey’s biggest stage.
Perhaps the most recognizable of the players who make the show is defenseman Andre (Moose) Dupont, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1973-74-and 1974-75.
A classic Andre "Moose" Dupont moment. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/vkoz6X6VUV
— Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) December 14, 2016
In that 1974-75 final, centre Don Luce played against Dupont for the vanquished Buffalo Sabres.
Center Syl Apps Jr. led the Pittsburgh Penguins in scoring three seasons in a row beginning in 1971-72. Forward Tom Miller and defenseman Bryan Lefley were both original New York Islanders. Defenseman Bob Paradise was an original Atlanta Flame and forward Denis Dupere an original Washington Capital.
On this day in 1971, the @penguins acquired Syl Apps Jr. and Sheldon Kannegiesser from the Rangers in exchange for Glen Sather #Hockey365 #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/rJTV8Y1FcA
— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) January 26, 2019
The Knights finished first in the Central Hockey League and whipped the Iowa Stars 4-1 in the best-of-seven final to win the league title. Although they were a New York Rangers farm club, just one player – defenseman Ad DeMarco Jr. – played as many as a 100 games for the Rangers.
