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‘Camille the Eel’: An Overlooked NHL Star

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camille henry new york rangers 1954-55 topps hockey cardToday, a junior scout would easily overlook a Bantam player weighing just 140 lbs. Camille Henry is noted on the back of his rookie hockey card as being 5’10” and a slim 141 lbs as an NHL player. The Camille Henry rookie card is featured in the 1954-55 Topps series as number 32. At a value of $80, according to Beckett Hockey Monthly, Henry’s is the second highest valued card in the set, next to Doug Mohns ($125), a long way from the $1800 that Gordie Howe’s card from that series is valued at. Camille also appears in the 1954-55 Parkhurst series on card number 73. Beckett does not rate this card higher than a common card.

Camille Henry


Camille Henry was an a great player that was just under the radar. He played in 727 NHL regular season games between 1953-54 and 1969-70 with the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks and St. Louis Blues. He was the Calder Trophy recipient as NHL rookie of the year with the Rangers in 1953-54. His only other NHL major award came in 1957-58 when he won the Lady Byng Trophy. He was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team that season. He played in a total of three NHL All-Star games during his career.

Camille can be found in the American Hockey League history books, as well. In 1955-56, with the Providence Reds, Henry led the league with 50 goals and was third with 91 points. The Reds captured the Calder Cup with a seven game victory over the Cleveland Barons in the finals. He was named to the AHL’s First All-Star Team.

His career defining NHL season came in 1962-63 with the Rangers. He scored 37 regular season goals, placing him second in the league, one behind Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings and one ahead of Frank Mahovlich of the Toronto Maple Leafs. New York finished in fifth place that season, out of the post-season.

Camille Henry Collection













 

Twice, Camille Henry played in the Stanley Cup finals. In 1964-65, he was traded mid-season by the Rangers to the Chicago Black Hawks. The Hawks lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup finals in seven games. In 1968-69, Henry’s team, the St. Louis Blues, also lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the finals, 4-0.

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Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM
1953-54 New York Rangers NHL 66 24 15 39 10
1954-55 Quebec Aces QHL 37 20 18 38 2
1954-55 New York Rangers NHL 21 5 2 7 4
1955-56 Providence Reds AHL 59 50 41 91 8
1956-57 Providence Reds AHL 29 31 16 47 8
1956-57 New York Rangers NHL 36 14 15 29 2
1957-58 New York Rangers NHL 70 32 24 56 2
1958-59 New York Rangers NHL 70 23 35 58 2
1959-60 New York Rangers NHL 49 12 15 27 6
1960-61 New York Rangers NHL 53 28 25 53 8
1961-62 New York Rangers NHL 60 23 15 38 8
1962-63 New York Rangers NHL 60 37 23 60 8
1963-64 New York Rangers NHL 68 29 26 55 8
1964-65 New York Rangers NHL 48 21 15 36 20
1964-65 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 22 5 3 8 2
1965-66 St. Louis Braves CPHL 37 14 22 36 4
1967-68 Buffalo Bisons AHL 22 9 10 19 0
1967-68 New York Rangers NHL 36 8 12 20 0
1968-69 St. Louis Blues NHL 64 17 22 39 8
1969-70 St. Louis Blues NHL 4 1 2 3 0
1969-70 Kansas City Blues CHL 15 5 7 12 4
NHL Totals 727 279 249 528 88

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