Wow what a great shot, this may be the earliest pic of Winterland Ice Rink where the Blues practiced I've seen. Circa 1964-1965. Anybody recognize anyone?

Check out the lefty goalie and what kind of helmet is that guy wearing, looks like a mining lid or spelunking rig? Guy bottom left looks like David Perron. Anyone know the name of the team, I see an "F" on their sweaters? What's the "A" on the helmet mean? Steve Rupp thinks the goalie is Rich Schwiegler who was also a goal judge at the Arena for many years.

Back row 4rth from right is legendary Coach Fran Sides from Pattonville HS. Fran was the PHS golf coach and driver ed teacher. Well known for his quick wit and hate for wimmen drivers, god help yo azz if you were female and took his driver ed class. He wore a motorcycle helmet one day for a certain nervous driver on her test day. Brutal. One time, while driving the golf team bus to a match, he turned around and asked a student to hand him an iron which he proceeded to swing out the driver's window at a woman driver he had taken offense to. Never a dull moment around Coach.

From Vince Jones, "The young player front row middle looks to have a curved blade..unusual.. Stan Makita's wild invention at practice was mid-sixties." I don't remember heating up and bending sticks till late 60s, and only then to slice the ears off a certain street hockey goalie. Anybody remember them plastic replacement blades for when you broke your wood stick? You could put a huge banana curve in them things and really develop a nice rising slapper to knock out goalies or defensemen who dared to block your shot. The plastic blades slid over the stick shaft where the broken blade was sawed off and you screwed them down with wood screws. 5 minutes over the stove burner and you were Bobby Hull.

Also note the lack of gear logos, there is one on the glove on top left guy but I can't make it out very well. Maybe CCM.

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