Vern Kaiser

Vern Kaiser sure knew how to make a first impression.

The Preston, Ontario native made the Montreal Canadiens roster for most of the 1950-51 season, playing along side greats like Rocket Richard, Doug Harvey and Elmer Lach. He started the year with AHL Buffalo, but after 15 games where he scored 7 goals and 20 points he was brought up to the big club.

Kaiser scored his first NHL goal in his second game. In his first game he actually had a penalty
shot opportunity, though missed. For his strong efforts he was named as the NHL's player of the week.

Despite the great start, Kaiser would not play the whole season in the NHL, and would be destined for a career in the minor leagues. For whatever reason the Canadiens dropped him from their long range plans. A mid-season incident in practice probably didn't help impress his coach. He took a high practice shot on goalie Gerry McNiel, loosening a few teeth.

The 6'0" 180lb blond Kaiser scored 7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points in his 50 game stay with the Canadiens. The left winger played on the third line with center Paul Masnick and right winger Normie Dussault. Early in the season he was playing with Lach and fellow freshman Bert Olmstead.

Kaiser, who was also a notable baseball player in the summer time, interestingly was in the Navy during World War II. Somehow he spent at least some of his service time in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There's an awful lot of land between Winnipeg and either the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans.