Great Rivalries: Cal Gardner vs. Ken Reardon

A self described "rugged hockey player," Cal Gardner knew his share of on-ice combat. late in the 1947 season, he precipitated what has been described as biggest, longest brawl in hockey history. The last place Rangers were playing the league-leading Canadiens in Madison Square Gardens. Kenny Reardon of the Habs was clipped by Gardner's errant stick, resulting in a bad and bloody cut.

On his way to the infirmary, Reardon exchanged pleasantries with players and even spectators. He ended up involved in a tussle with a fan. The entire Canadiens team leaped off the bench and skated across the ice to rescue Reardon, but a pitched battle with fans and police resulted in the corridor.

Reardon vowed revenge on Gardner, signaling the beginning of a bitter feud. The dispute climaxed in November, 1949 when Gardner, by now a Toronto Maple Leaf, had his jaw shattered by Reardon. Desperately hoping to end the feud, NHL president Clarence Campbell forced Reardon while he was on the ice to post a $1,000 bond against future violence!

The feud ended on the ice when Reardon retired at the end of the season, but an intense dislike for each other was said to continue to fester for decades to come.

The Ken Reardon-Cal Gardner "Bond" Incident

Memories of Ken Reardon are abundant following his death this weekend. Most of the memories involve some sort of on-ice violence, which surprises no old time hockey fan who even remotely knew Reardon.

Reardon was Don Cherry's boyhood idol, and "Grapes" referred the "bond incident" and Reardon's feud with Cal Gardner. Not a lot of people know about the vicious feud, so here's how that story shook down.

As the bad man of pro hockey, Reardon was certainly no stranger to hot water. He had several feuds around the league, but none more intense than with Cal Gardner.

The rugged Gardner wasn't noted to be a particularly dirty player, but he inadvertently triggered their feud when he crosschecked Reardon in the mouth late in the 1947 season. A donnybrook ensued, with a New York Rangers fan even getting involved and taking a swipe at the bleeding Reardon. Mayhem erupted as the Canadiens attacked the fans as police tried to break it all up.

The vengeful Reardon promised retaliation on Gardner every time they played again, although nothing noteworthy would happen until November, 1949. Gardner, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs, had his jaw broken by Reardon in a game at the Forum. Desperately hoping to end the feud, NHL president Clarence Campbell forced Reardon while he was on the ice to post a $1,000 bond against future violence! Campbell had had enough, especially since earlier in the month Reardon and teammate Leo Gravelle were arrested and jailed for hours in Chicago after Hawks fans claimed they attacked them with their sticks. The case was dismissed by a judge.

Nothing more would happen between Gardner and Reardon, though legend has it that time failed to heal the wounds. Supposedly the two carried ill will to each other long after their careers on the ice ended.

Reardon would never have to pay money for a violent act. He would retired at the conclusion of another all star season in 1950. He said his body could no longer withstand his violent style of game, but that his heart and mind would never let him tone down his game.

Related: Who was Cal Gardner?

Ken Reardon Passes Away

"I couldn't skate, I couldn't shoot, and I wasn't very intelligent. But I was spectacular" - Ken Reardon

Sad news today. Former Montreal Canadiens defenceman and Hockey Hall of Famer Kenny Reardon has passed away after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 86.

Reardon played seven seasons with the Canadiens between 1940 and 1950, scoring 122 points in 341 games. Playing with greats like Maurice Richard, Toe Blake, Elmer Lach and Emile Bouchard, Reardon helped the Canadiens win two Stanley Cups. He was also selected to the NHL's First All-Star Team twice and the Second All-Star Team three times in his career.

He is best remembered by modern fans as Don Cherry's boyhood hero. "Grapes" has mentioned that fact numerous times on "Coach's Corner," and undoubtedly he will have a tribute to him tonight.

The fact that Don Cherry grew up idolizing Ken Reardon should pretty much tell you what kind of a player Reardon was.

His fearless, reckless abandon accounted for his many injuries, and even more fans. He was a fan favorite during his entire NHL career. He would barge down the ice in the most direct line to either the opponent's net or his check, and he loved the body-contact game. Reardon came to the Montreal Canadiens as a rookie determined to succeed, not on skill, but hard work. And he did.

Reardon's hard work paid off when he made the Canadiens in 1941 and played two full seasons before his career was interrupted by World War II.

Ken would play on army teams while at battle, and returned to the Canadiens for the 1945-46 season and for the next five seasons was named to NHL All-Star teams. He made the first team in 1946-47 and 1949-50, the second team in the other three seasons. He played on a Stanley Cup winner in 1945-46.

More on Ken Reardon:

Habs World

Habs Inside/Out

Eyes On The Prize

HHOF Photo Gallery