Repurposing an ironing board, Donald Munro of Toronto made the first tabletop hockey game for his family in 1932 as a Christmas present. Constructed with wood, the games were a big hit in department stores and mail order catalogs. Canadian troops brought the game to Europe during World War II. "Every Canadian Forces mess hall had a Munro hockey game for R&R," a report noted. In 1955, an engineer, Bill Kobayashi of Montreal, improved upon the game for Eagle Toys "by designing a system of rods and slots, which enabled the players to move up and down the ice." The games were also made with metal and plastic for the first time. This one came out in 1958, and features the Toronto Maple Leafs and their arch rivals, the Montreal Canadians. Led by Maurice "Rocket" Richard, the Canadians dominated the NHL during this era.