Viceroy Rubber Crested

(1973 - 1983)

 

In the late 1960's, shortly after the expiry of the Art Ross patent, Viceroy began producing a puck based on the Art Ross slug. After a couple of years, they began putting a small 'CANADA' on the side distinguishing it from other pucks. Viceroy began courting the NHL in the early 1970's. They even took a shot at making blue pucks for the NHL similar to those used by the WHA in 1972. They got their big break in 1973 when the three Canadian based NHL teams switched from the Converse to Viceroy. Viceroy had managed to duplicate the rubber crests produced by Converse. The main reason for the change appears to have been patriotism. There had been an expressed desire in Canada to see the Canada's game played with a Canadian-made puck. The American teams clung to the Converse puck until 1977 when the company ceased production of the Art Ross slug and the rest of the league switched over to the Viceroy puck. Viceroy had done well copying others and it got them to the top of the NHL heap. While they sat there, other companies worked at improving the screening process. By 1979, they had competition in the NHL puck market when the In Glas Co screened Biltrites were introduced by the former WHA teams. As the screened pucks gained acceptance, use of the rubber crested pucks diminished. They were last used in 1983. The final back variation with 'Viceroy Rubber & Plastics Ltd' appeared at the very end of the series. However, pucks have been found with earlier logos (ie. Cleveland, Atlanta etc) with this back. They appear to have been made possibly as a custom order long after the teams existed. A puck has been found issued with this back for the Birmingham Bulls of the WHA. An old 'Converse style' Leafs puck has also been found issued in this series. Also, at the bottom is a rubber crested puck with Montreal on one side and Toronto on the other. The puck was sponsored by Molson's..

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