Forty-nine years ago, the first selection of the NHL Expansion Draft by the Los Angeles Kings was a future Hall of Fame goaltender Terry Sawchuk. The final choice, by the St. Louis Blues, was winger Max Mestinsek, who would never play a game in the NHL.
From the legendary Sawchuk to Mestinsek — and everyone else taken in between — the NHL’s Expansion Draft was a historic event, which doubled the size of the league from six to 12 teams.
Besides the Kings and Blues, the California Golden Seals, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins were new entries.