John H writes...
 
> Well, I'm not the definitive truth, but I believe the correct story is that
> Coach Berenson was the first to go *directly* from college to the pros.  He
> played for Michigan and the Montreal Canadiens in the span of about 24 hours
> (1962?).
 
Yep. That's how I have heard it. The day following his final game as a
Wolverine, Red boarded a train to Boston and played for the Canadiens
that night. I believe this would have been in 1963 (his's senior year
was 1962-63).
 
Sure there have been college players to play in the NHL before Red
Berenson, but to step out of a college game and right into a NHL
game the next day?
 
MC
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