An interesting way to buy players for NHL teams

Before 1963, there was an interesting way to buy star players for NHL teams.

Up and coming players 16 or older could be signed to a team using what was called a C-form. That meant that the team owned the rights to that player until they were sold or traded.

But, if an NHL team gave "financial support" to the team that player played for, the C-form rights moved over to that NHL team.

So, you got some interesting things happening.

The Boston Bruins sponsored the entire Parry Sound minor system in order to get Bobby Orr away from the leafs.

The Montreal Canadians sponsored the Quebec Senior Hockey League in order to get Jean Beliveau.

And, our own Toronto Maple Leafs stole away Dave Keon by sponsoring the Rouyn Noranda team in Quebec.

Expensive, but effective I'd say.