SportingPost

Montreal Maroons

Frank Fleming
Author: 
Frank Fleming
12 mins
November 1st, 2023
Bet With Confidence
Ad Disclosure
Montreal Maroons
  • First Game Played December 1, 1924

  • Last Game Played March 17, 1938

  • Folded in 1938

Historical Moments

1924/25:The NHL entered its eighth season with two goals; place a team in a major US market and place another team in Canada’s Largest City Montreal for the Anglo fans, who were left behind when the Wanderers folded after a fire destroyed their arena just five games into the first NHL season. The team in Montreal would be named the Maroons, and they would play their first game against their American expansion brothers on December 1st, losing the first-ever NHL game played in the USA to the Boston Bruins 2-1. The Maroons, who had to pay $10,000 of their $ 15,000 expansion fee to the Montreal Canadiens for territorial rights, would have an arena of their own in Montreal, as they became the first tenant of the brand new Montreal Forum that had been built especially for the Maroons. However, not even an arena of their own could help the first-year team as they struggled to finish in fifth place with a 9-19-2 record.

1925/26:With new maroon sweaters with a simplistic white M, the Maroons were vastly improved in their second season as Nels Stewart playing mostly center and defense won the Hart Trophy given to the NHL’s Most Valuable Player, by leading the scoring with 34 goals and 42 points. The Maroons who were now forced to share the Forum with the rival Canadiens would go on to finish in second place with a solid 20-11-5 record. In the playoffs, the Maroons would dump the fast skating Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 in a two-game total goals series to advance to the NHL Championship. In the Championship, the Maroons would stun the heavily favored Ottawa Senators 2-1. In the Stanley Cup Finals, the Maroons would face the Victoria Cougars from the WCHL who had beaten the Montreal Canadiens a year earlier for the Cup. The Maroons would easily knock off the Cougars winning in four games as Nels Stewart scored all 10 Maroons goals, and Clint Benedict recorded three shutouts, winning the Stanley Cup back for the NHL. It would mark the last time the NHL Champion faced another league for the rights to the Stanley Cup as the WCHL folded following the season.

1926/27:Coming off their Stanley Cup Championship the Maroons would only manage to play mediocre hockey as they finished in third place with a less the stellar 20-20-4 record. In the playoffs, the Maroons would make a quick exit as they are beaten by rival Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in a two-game total goal series, losing Game 2 in overtime 1-0.

1927/28:The Maroons picked up Hooley Smith, who along with Nels Stewart, who had the bizarre tendency of chewing tobacco when he played and liked to spit at the face of goalies before he shot the puck and Babe Siebert formed the big three for the Maroons who finished in second place with a 24-14-6 record. In the playoffs, the Maroons would knock off the Ottawa Senators 3-1 in a total goal series to set up a semifinal showdown with the Montreal Canadiens. After battling the Habs to a 2-2 tie in Game 1, the maroons reached the finals when Russell Oatman scored eight minutes into overtime of Game 2. In the Stanley Cup Finals, the Maroons would get off to great start shutting the New York Rangers out in Game 1 by a score of 2-0. In Game 2, the Maroons would fall 2-1 in overtime as Rangers Coach Lester Patrick makes 18 saves in goal after starting goalie Lorne Chabot suffered an eye injury. The Maroons would bounce back to win Game 3, but the Rangers would win the series in five games as New York Americans goalie Joe Miller signed on to finish the series.

1928/29:Coming off their heartbreaking loss in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Maroons would struggle, finishing last in the Canadian Division with a disappointing record of 15-20-9, despite a stellar season from Nels Stewart who finishes second in scoring with 21 goals.

1929/30:Following a disappointing last-place season, the Maroons would bounce back nicely, winning the Canadian Division with a solid record of 23-16-5. Along the way, Nels Stewart would have another stellar season scoring 39 goals and winning his second Hart Trophy. Goalie, Clint Benedict, would also make history on February 20th by becoming the first goalie to wear a protective covering on his face. Not so much a mask, but a leather cover to protect his broken nose. The covering would be knocked off late in the season as Benedict broke his nose again, forcing him to retire. In the playoffs, the Maroons would suffer a letdown as they lost to the Boston Bruins in four games after receiving a bye to the semifinals.

1930/31:The Maroons would bring in Dave Kerr to replace Clint Benedict in goal as they acquired Lionel Conacher from the New York Americans for Red Dutton before the start of the season. Kerr would struggle as the Maroons allowed 106 goals on the season while finishing in third place with a 20-18-6 record. In the playoffs, the Maroons goaltending woes would be exposed as they were humiliated by the New York Rangers 8-1 in a total goal series.

1931/32:Despite a mediocre 19-22-7 record, the Maroons would make the playoffs by finishing in third place in the Canadian Division. In the playoffs, the Maroons would suddenly get hot as they stunned the Detroit Falcons in a total goal series 3-1. In the semifinals, the Maroons would battle the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 1-1 draw in Game 1 to set up a dramatic conclusion in their total goal showdown. Late in the third period, the Maroons appeared to be heading for the Finals with a 2-1 lead. However, the Leafs would rally to win the game and win in overtime to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they beat the Boston Bruins for the Stanley Cup.

1932/33:Despite the loss of Nels Stewart who signed with the Boston Bruins before the season, the Maroons went on to finish in second place with a respectable 23-19-6, as Lawrence Northcott, Hooley Smith, and Paul Haynes finished in the top five in scoring. However, in the playoffs, they would be eliminated right away as they dropped a total goal series to the Detroit Red Wings 5-2.

1933/34:The Maroons would make the playoffs for the fifth straight year by finishing in third place with a record of 19-18-11. In the playoff, the Maroons would prove dangerous again as they beat the New York Rangers 2-1 in a total goal series. However, in the semifinals, they would be humiliated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Black Hawks 6-2 in a total goal series.

1934/35:The Maroons entered the season with a new coach as they hired Tommy Gorman, who had just been fired by the Chicago Black Hawks despite leading the tea to the Stanley Cup. The Maroons would also get a number 1 goalie by signing Alex Connell away from the Ottawa Senators while reacquiring Lionel Conacher from the Chicago Black Hawks. The Maroons, who were a spirited team of grinders, without any big-name scoring stars, would finish in second place with 24-19-5 record. In the playoffs, the Maroons would make it back to the semifinals as Lawrence Northcott scored the only goal of a two-game total goal series against the Black Hawks in overtime of Game 2. In the semifinals, the Maroons would edge the New York Rangers 5-4 in a total goal series to set up an All-Canadian Stanley Cup Finals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maroons would get off to a quick start winning Game one in overtime on Dave Trottier’s goal at 5:28. The Maroons would go up 2-0 in the series when they took the second game 3-1 behind Alex Connell’s superb goaltending. The Maroons would go on to complete the sweep with a dominating 4-1 win at the Montreal Forum to claim their second Stanley Cup Championship.

1935/36:Despite winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history, the future appeared bleak for the Maroons as the crippling economic situation caused by the Great Depression had both Montreal clubs struggling as they had trouble drawing fans. The NHL governors realized that Montreal could no longer support two teams clubs, and the end was likely near for the Maroons because there were far more French supporters for the Canadiens in Montreal then Anglo supporters for the Maroons. Despite the impending financial doom, the Maroons would win the Canadian Division with a 22-16-10 record. After a bye, the Maroons were matched up against the Detroit Red Wings in the semifinals. Game 1 at the Forum would become one of the most famous games in NHL history as both teams battled into overtime without scoring a goal. The deadlock would not end until the sixth overtime when Red Wings rookie Mud Bruneteau blasted in the game-winner. However, at 116 minutes and 30 seconds, it remains the longest overtime game ever played. The Maroons would not recover from their marathon as the Wings swept them in three straight games.

1936/37:The Maroons continued to defy their financial situation by finishing in second place with a respectable record of 22-17-9. In the playoffs, the Maroons would again play strong hockey as they beat the Boston Bruins in a three-game series. However, in the semifinals, they would be swept by the New York Rangers in two straight games as they were blanked 5-0 in the series.

1937/38:Tommy Gorman became the Maroons General Manager and hired King Clancy as the team’s new coach. However, Clancy was too lax of a coach, as he never disciplined any of his players. Gorman would fire him and returned to coaching, which was not popular with the players due to his heavy-handed coaching style, as the Maroons finished the season in last place with a league-worst 12-30-6 record. When the season ended, the lack of funds created by the great depression and the worst attendance in the league over the last three seasons would finally sink the Maroons. The league allowed the team to suspend operations at season end, providing that they dispose of all their player contracts by December 1st. Attempts were made a few times to relocate the franchise to St. Louis, where a team named the Eagles proved they could draw fans. However, because of the travel cost associated by train travel to the Midwest, the board of governors voted not to allow the move. The Maroons officially folded May 13, 1939.

1938-1996:In the years after Maroons folded the Canadiens, were left to represent Montreal, which was upended by Toronto as the largest city in Canada during the 1970s. Through these years, Anglo hockey fans in Montreal either found themselves weaning onto the Habs or found themselves becoming Toronto Maple Leaf fans. Meanwhile, the Montreal Forum, which was built specifically for the Maroons, would become the most famous venue in hockey as the Canadiens set a record with 24 Stanley Cup Championships with hockey heroes that will become legends throughout Canada, as the Maroons would be forgotten. A cruel twist to a once-great rivalry that once saw the most fights between any two clubs. As many fights even erupted in the crowds, as well as the reporters covering each team would often be mean-spirited in their articles when mentioning their rivals inside the city of Montreal.

Championship Teams

Maroons Arenas

Maroons Memories

Punch Broadbent

1924-1927

Reg Noble

1924-1927, 1932/33

Russell Oatman

1926-1929

Clint Benedict

1924-1930

Red Dutton

1930-1936

Dunc Munro

1924-1931

Babe Siebert

1925-1932

Nels Stewart

1925-1932

1926 & 1930 Hart Trophy

Merlyn Phillips

1926-1933

James Walsh

1926-1928, 1928-1933

Archie Wilcox

1929-1934

Glenn Brydson

1930-1934

Dave Kerr

1930/31, 1932-1934

Paul Haynes

1930-1935

Toe Blake

1934/35

Hooley Smith

1927-1936

Lionel Conacher

1930-1933, 1934-1937

Alec Connell

1934/35, 1936/37

Jimmy Ward

1927-1938

Lawrence Northcott

1928-1938

Earl Robinson

1928-1938

Dave Trottier

1928-1938

Marvin Wentworth

1932-1938

Russ Blinco

1933-1938

1934 Calder Trophy

Herbie Cain

1933-1938

Stew Evans

1933-1938

Tommy Gorman

Coach 1934-1937, 1937/38

Bill Beveridge

1934-1938

Bob Gracie

1934-1938

Gus Marker

1934-1938

Related Content

s a sports fan, I’ve been following the developments closely and have discovered some of the best online sportsbooks available for NY residents.
December 22nd, 2023
Best March Madness Betting Platforms & Sportsbooks in 2024
As the NCAA Tournament unfolds, many people look to enhance their experience by betting on the games. Finding the right betting sites for March Madness is essential for placing smart bets and enjoying a seamless experience.
March 6th, 2024
Online sports betting has gained significant traction in recent years, with many people eager to participate in this fast-growing industry. As I dive into the topic, it’s essential to consider the legal landscape and how it varies across different states in the US. The legalization of sports betting has undoubtedly become a hot topic, with some states fully embracing it, while others are still on the fence.
November 10th, 2023
Best Sports Betting Sites in Iowa
Interested in finding out more about Iowa's sports betting scene? After the legalization of sports betting in May 2019, a range of sportsbooks both online and retail have become available to Iowa bettors.
February 5th, 2024
In June 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Sports Wagering Act into law, allowing residents and visitors to place bets on a wide range of professional and collegiate sports events. Since March 2020, sports enthusiasts have been able to participate in this exciting new form of entertainment, which has gained massive popularity in recent years.
December 22nd, 2023

Author

Frank Fleming
Frank Fleming founded the Sports Ecyclopedia in 2001 & is a passionate Devils fan.