ATD Research: NHL's First Expansion Era (1924-1942)

[nabby12]

For any ATD’ers interested in a little side quest…

As I wrote earlier in the Draft Thread today, I am currently working on a new book about the NHL’s First Expansion Era from 1924-1942. It’s perhaps my favourite period when researching old players, and I’m particularly fond on the New York Americans and Montreal Maroons franchises. This book is proving to be a massive undertaking and so, I would love the help of anyone that is interested in being apart of this project.

I’ve already been conducting countless interviews with various players of this era’s families, and done piles upon piles of research, acquiring old documents, photos, etc.

The book is going to run a season-by-season recap from 1924-1942, with a focus on some of the major hockey stories of that season. Below is a sample of stories for some of the seasons that I’m working with, so if anyone has any interesting stories they’d like added, please fill in the blanks or add it to the list.

1924-25 – Boston/Maroons expansion. The story of the end of the Hamilton Tigers
1925-26 – New York Americans and Pittsburgh Pirates join/Maroons defeat Victoria for Cup. The death of Georges Vezina.
1926-27 – Ottawa’s last Stanley Cup.
1927-28 – Lester Patrick plays goalie in Stanley Cup final
1928-29 – The Kid Line (Conacher, Primeau, Jackson)
1929-30 – Clint Benedict mask and history in Ottawa, trade to Maroons.
1930-31 –
1931-32 –
1932-33 –
1933-34 – Eddie Shore and Ace Bailey incident and first NHL All Star Game/Death of Charlie Gardiner
1934-35 – Montreal Maroons’ Stanley Cup
1935-36 – Longest NHL game, Mud Bruneteau
1936-37 – Howie Morenz Death
1937-38 – Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings European tour/Chicago’s Unlikely Stanley Cup
1938-39 – Babe Seibert Drowning
1939-40 –
1940-41 –
1941-42 – End of the New York Americans

I’d also like to include a ranking of players who had their prime let’s say in this 1924-1942 era, so I’d be interested in collecting lists from anyone willing the submit a list of Top 20, 50, or 100 or so players!

Anyways, thank you for your consideration. And I hope to work on this with some of you as a little side quest while we continue on in the ATD 2023!

Click to read more...

 

[Habsfan18]

Many of these are obvious but I’ll add them anyways.

1924-25:

The new $1-million Montreal Forum opens its doors. Billy Boucher nets a hat trick that night.

1925-26:

With salaries skyrocketing, the NHL introduces a $35,000 cap. Top earners are Lionel Conacher ($7,500), Dunc Munro ($7,500), Billy Burch ($6,500), Joe Simpson ($6,000), Hap Day ($6,000) and Sprague Cleghorn ($5,000)

1926-27:

After Lester Patrick and the WHL sells the contracts of players to the NHL for $258,000 back in May, the Detroit Cougars, Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers join the league.

Conn Smythe assembles a 16-member ownership group to purchase the St. Patricks for $160,000 and renames the club the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Shorty Green comes close to being the NHL’s first on-ice fatality after suffering a serious kidney injury in February after a clean open-ice hit by Taffy Abel. He undergoes surgery to remove the kidney and is given his last rites, but survives. He is forced to retire.

1927-28:

After Dick Irvin suffers a fractured skull, referee Lou Marsh and former Black Hawks coach Barney Stanley advocate the use of helmets for players. Marsh suggests fibre helmets, while Stanley designs a pith and fibre helmet that is presented at an NHL governor's meeting to no avail.

Frank Calder announces that unlike baseball, which has a distinct color barrier, this will not be the case in the NHL. “Pro hockey has no ruling against the colored man, nor is it likely to ever draw the line.”

1928-29:

Goaltenders produce a record 120 shutouts in 230 games, holding shooters to a record low 2.9 goals per game.

1929-30:

The NHL introduces a new rule allowing forward passing in all three zones, but not over the blueline. It has a massive offensive impact, with the goals per game average increasing to 5.9, and the total number of shutouts dropping to 26.

One month into the season, the league adds the offside rule.

Cooney Weiland smashes Howie Morenz’s scoring record, one in which won’t be topped for 11 years.

1930-31:

Conn Smythe wins nearly $15,000 betting on a racehorse he owns named “Rare Jewel.” He then borrows $20,000 and trades Art Smith, Eric Pettinger and $35,000 to the Ottawa Senators for King Clancy.

Pittsburgh Pirates are transferred to Philadelphia and renamed the Quakers. They finish with a horrendous record of 4-36-4.

First ever 1st and 2nd all-star teams are named, and each member will go on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The 1st-team consists of Charlie Gardiner, Eddie Shore, King Clancy, Aurel Joliat, Howie Morenz, Bill Cook and coach Lester Patrick. The second-team consists of Tiny Thompson, Sylvio Mantha, Ivan Johnson, Bun Cook, Frank Boucher, Dit Clapper and coach Dick Irvin.

1931-32:

The Maple Leaf Gardens open its doors on November 12th. It was built in less than 6 months at a cost of $1.5 million. Leafs players were used as security guards at the job site, and union workers were convinced to take 20 percent of their pay in Garden stock.

Senators and Quakers announce in September that they will discontinue operations for the upcoming season. The Senators return the following year.

The New York Americans ice the puck 61 times during a 3-2 win in Boston in December, prompting Bruins owner Charles Adams to demand the NHL introduce an icing rule calling for a faceoff in the defending team’s zone when it elects to shoot the puck the length of the ice to relieve pressure. It falls on def ears, so Boston makes a mockery of its next game against the Americans, icing the puck 87 times in a 0-0 tie.

1932-33:

Detroit is sold to James Norris, who renames the club the Red Wings and introduces the iconic winged wheel logo.

After Toronto and Boston remain scoreless after 100 minutes of overtime, the NHL considers multiple options. Conn Smythe and Art Ross suggest resuming the game next day, possibly removing both goalies and flipping a coin, but all are rejected by Frank Calder. Ken Doraty finally beats Tiny Thompson early in the 6th overtime period. Three years later the record will be broken in a game between the Red Wings and Maroons.

1934-35:

With a cap of $62,500 per team and $7,000 per player, teams are forced to trade some veteran players. Howie Morenz and Lorne Chabot are dealt to Chicago, while Lionel Conacher and Alex Connell are sent to the Maroons.

The Ottawa Senators are relocated to St. Louis and renamed the Eagles. Two years earlier, the league had turned down expansion to St. Louis due to the extensive travel that would be involved.

The NHL adds the penalty shot. It’s taken from the 10-foot circle, 38 feet from the goalie. Goalies stop 25 of the 29 shots.

The Montreal Canadiens nearly move to Cleveland before Ernie Savard, Maurice Forget and Louis Gelinas purchase the club on September 17th for $165,000.

1936-37:

NHL crop of rookies featuring Turk Broda, Syl Apps, Gordie Drillon, and Boston’s Kraut line of Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer.

Chicago’s all-American experiment. Owner Major Frederic McLaughlin instructs coach Clem Loughlin to experiment with a lineup featuring nine US-born players for the last five regular season games.

1937-38:

Nels Stewart becomes the NHL’s first ever 300-goal man.

1938-39:

Playoff overtime heroics of Mel Hill.

The Montreal Maroons take a leave of absence from the league, but never return.

1939-40:

Eddie Shore and Art Ross are at odds after Shore purchases the International-American league’s Springfield Indians club and asks to play for them. They come to an agreement that Shore will play all of Boston’s home and playoff games but Ross trades him to the New York Americans in January.

1940-41:

Dick Irvin resigns in Toronto and takes over the Montreal Canadiens.

1941-42:

Declaration of War on December 9th. Conn Smythe enlists and urges his players to do so. Boston’s Kraut line joins the Royal Canadian Air Force.

 

[Sturminator]

This is outstanding. Yes, more chronological narratives linking eras, please.

And more Paul Thompson info, insha'allah.

 

[Habsfan18]

Some possible additional stuff to touch on..

1924-25:

- NHL adds the Lady Byng Trophy.
- Emergence of Aurel Joliat.
- Rookie Alex Connell sets a record of 7 Shutouts.
- Habs commission special globe jerseys to be worn that season.

1925-26:

- Rule changes include “delayed” penalties to ensure four skaters on ice at all times; no more than two players allowed to remain behind blueline after the puck leaves defensive zone; and the addition of faceoffs resulting from excessive puck-ragging.
- Americans and Pirates combine for record 141 shots on goal, Dec 26th.
- Rookie Nels Stewart leads the league in goals, points, and is awarded the Hart Trophy.
- Rookie Roy Worters finishes with 1.94 gaa and 7 shutouts for the surprisingly competitive Pirates.
- NHL’s first 100-minute penalty men. Five skaters reach the mark, led by Bert Corbeau with 121.
- Maroons shock heavily favored Ottawa in the playoffs, led by the play of former Senator Clint Benedict.

1926-27:

- Emergence of Cook/Boucher/Cook with the expansion Rangers. Bun Cook invents the “drop pass” and the trio executes it to near-perfection. Considered the NHL’s first “power line.”
- Herb Gardiner, in his first year with the Canadiens as a 35-year old “rookie”, wins the Hart Trophy.
- George Hainsworth inaugural recipient of the Vezina Trophy.

1927-28:

- Forward passes allowed in defensive and neutral zones.
- Goal net with a double-curved back and flax netting is adopted for use by the NHL. Designed by Art Ross.
- Chicago Black Hawks win only two home games all season.
- Alex Connell notches six straight shutouts, which totalled over 440 minutes.
- Howie Morenz becomes first NHLer to eclipse the 50-point mark.

1928-29:

- Into the attacking zone from the neutral zone is added to the forward passing rule, but it’s still not permitted in the offensive zone.
- Minor penalty given out to any player who delays game by passing the puck into his own defensive zone.
- Regulation ties will now result in 10-minute non-sudden-death overtime period.
- Hainsworth records 22 shutouts, and record 0.98 GAA.
- Roy Worters carries the New York Americans to only 9 points behind the Montreal Canadiens, winning the Hart Trophy in the process.
- Black Hawks are shut out an NHL record 8 consecutive games.
- Art Ross, having signed Tiny Thompson without ever actually seeing him play, is in turn rewarded by Tiny’s league leading 26 victories. He then goes undefeated in the playoffs, allowing only three goals in five games.
- New playoff format..first, second, and third place teams from each division face their opposite number in the other division.

Will add more later..

 

[nabby12]

Many of these are obvious but I’ll add them anyways.

1924-25:

The new $1-million Montreal Forum opens its doors. Billy Boucher nets a hat trick that night.

1925-26:

With salaries skyrocketing, the NHL introduces a $35,000 cap. Top earners are Lionel Conacher ($7,500), Dunc Munro ($7,500), Billy Burch ($6,500), Joe Simpson ($6,000), Hap Day ($6,000) and Sprague Cleghorn ($5,000)

1926-27:

After Lester Patrick and the WHL sells the contracts of players to the NHL for $258,000 back in May, the Detroit Cougars, Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers join the league.

Conn Smythe assembles a 16-member ownership group to purchase the St. Patricks for $160,000 and renames the club the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Shorty Green comes close to being the NHL’s first on-ice fatality after suffering a serious kidney injury in February after a clean open-ice hit by Taffy Abel. He undergoes surgery to remove the kidney and is given his last rites, but survives. He is forced to retire.

1927-28:

After Dick Irvin suffers a fractured skull, referee Lou Marsh and former Black Hawks coach Barney Stanley advocate the use of helmets for players. Marsh suggests fibre helmets, while Stanley designs a pith and fibre helmet that is presented at an NHL governor's meeting to no avail.

Frank Calder announces that unlike baseball, which has a distinct color barrier, this will not be the case in the NHL. “Pro hockey has no ruling against the colored man, nor is it likely to ever draw the line.”

1928-29:

Goaltenders produce a record 120 shutouts in 230 games, holding shooters to a record low 2.9 goals per game.

1929-30:

The NHL introduces a new rule allowing forward passing in all three zones, but not over the blueline. It has a massive offensive impact, with the goals per game average increasing to 5.9, and the total number of shutouts dropping to 26.

One month into the season, the league adds the offside rule.

Cooney Weiland smashes Howie Morenz’s scoring record, one in which won’t be topped for 11 years.

1930-31:

Conn Smythe wins nearly $15,000 betting on a racehorse he owns named “Rare Jewel.” He then borrows $20,000 and trades Art Smith, Eric Pettinger and $35,000 to the Ottawa Senators for King Clancy.

Pittsburgh Pirates are transferred to Philadelphia and renamed the Quakers. They finish with a horrendous record of 4-36-4.

First ever 1st and 2nd all-star teams are named, and each member will go on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The 1st-team consists of Charlie Gardiner, Eddie Shore, King Clancy, Aurel Joliat, Howie Morenz, Bill Cook and coach Lester Patrick. The second-team consists of Tiny Thompson, Sylvio Mantha, Ivan Johnson, Bun Cook, Frank Boucher, Dit Clapper and coach Dick Irvin.

1931-32:

The Maple Leaf Gardens open its doors on November 12th. It was built in less than 6 months at a cost of $1.5 million. Leafs players were used as security guards at the job site, and union workers were convinced to take 20 percent of their pay in Garden stock.

Senators and Quakers announce in September that they will discontinue operations for the upcoming season. The Senators return the following year.

The New York Americans ice the puck 61 times during a 3-2 win in Boston in December, prompting Bruins owner Charles Adams to demand the NHL introduce an icing rule calling for a faceoff in the defending team’s zone when it elects to shoot the puck the length of the ice to relieve pressure. It falls on def ears, so Boston makes a mockery of its next game against the Americans, icing the puck 87 times in a 0-0 tie.

1932-33:

Detroit is sold to James Norris, who renames the club the Red Wings and introduces the iconic winged wheel logo.

After Toronto and Boston remain scoreless after 100 minutes of overtime, the NHL considers multiple options. Conn Smythe and Art Ross suggest resuming the game next day, possibly removing both goalies and flipping a coin, but all are rejected by Frank Calder. Ken Doraty finally beats Tiny Thompson early in the 6th overtime period. Three years later the record will be broken in a game between the Red Wings and Maroons.

1934-35:

With a cap of $62,500 per team and $7,000 per player, teams are forced to trade some veteran players. Howie Morenz and Lorne Chabot are dealt to Chicago, while Lionel Conacher and Alex Connell are sent to the Maroons.

The Ottawa Senators are relocated to St. Louis and renamed the Eagles. Two years earlier, the league had turned down expansion to St. Louis due to the extensive travel that would be involved.

The NHL adds the penalty shot. It’s taken from the 10-foot circle, 38 feet from the goalie. Goalies stop 25 of the 29 shots.

The Montreal Canadiens nearly move to Cleveland before Ernie Savard, Maurice Forget and Louis Gelinas purchase the club on September 17th for $165,000.

1936-37:

NHL crop of rookies featuring Turk Broda, Syl Apps, Gordie Drillon, and Boston’s Kraut line of Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer.

Chicago’s all-American experiment. Owner Major Frederic McLaughlin instructs coach Clem Loughlin to experiment with a lineup featuring nine US-born players for the last five regular season games.

1937-38:

Nels Stewart becomes the NHL’s first ever 300-goal man.

1938-39:

Playoff overtime heroics of Mel Hill.

The Montreal Maroons take a leave of absence from the league, but never return.

1939-40:

Eddie Shore and Art Ross are at odds after Shore purchases the International-American league’s Springfield Indians club and asks to play for them. They come to an agreement that Shore will play all of Boston’s home and playoff games but Ross trades him to the New York Americans in January.

1940-41:

Dick Irvin resigns in Toronto and takes over the Montreal Canadiens.

1941-42:

Declaration of War on December 9th. Conn Smythe enlists and urges his players to do so. Boston’s Kraut line joins the Royal Canadian Air Force.

This is great! Thank you for posting this bud.

All of these stories will be included of course, and I'm also looking for more obscure/funny/interesting stories on teams or certain players.

If anyone wants to research one or two of these stories and get back to me with a write-up, news clippings, etc... It would certainly make my job easier!

This is outstanding. Yes, more chronological narratives linking eras, please.

And more Paul Thompson info, insha'allah.

I also found out that Paul Thompson was responsible for starting up the first Vancouver Canucks franchise.

I'll be meeting up with the Thompson family later this year and will have more anecdotes on him then!

 

[nabby12]

Some possible additional stuff to touch on..

1924-25:

- NHL adds the Lady Byng Trophy.
- Emergence of Aurel Joliat.
- Rookie Alex Connell sets a record of 7 Shutouts.
- Habs commission special globe jerseys to be worn that season.

1925-26:

- Rule changes include “delayed” penalties to ensure four skaters on ice at all times; no more than two players allowed to remain behind blueline after the puck leaves defensive zone; and the addition of faceoffs resulting from excessive puck-ragging.
- Americans and Pirates combine for record 141 shots on goal, Dec 26th.
- Rookie Nels Stewart leads the league in goals, points, and is awarded the Hart Trophy.
- Rookie Roy Worters finishes with 1.94 gaa and 7 shutouts for the surprisingly competitive Pirates.
- NHL’s first 100-minute penalty men. Five skaters reach the mark, led by Bert Corbeau with 121.
- Maroons shock heavily favored Ottawa in the playoffs, led by the play of former Senator Clint Benedict.

1926-27:

- Emergence of Cook/Boucher/Cook with the expansion Rangers. Bun Cook invents the “drop pass” and the trio executes it to near-perfection. Considered the NHL’s first “power line.”
- Herb Gardiner, in his first year with the Canadiens as a 35-year old “rookie”, wins the Hart Trophy.
- George Hainsworth inaugural recipient of the Vezina Trophy.

1927-28:

- Forward passes allowed in defensive and neutral zones.
- Goal net with a double-curved back and flax netting is adopted for use by the NHL. Designed by Art Ross.
- Chicago Black Hawks win only two home games all season.
- Alex Connell notches six straight shutouts, which totalled over 440 minutes.
- Howie Morenz becomes first NHLer to eclipse the 50-point mark.

1928-29:

- Into the attacking zone from the neutral zone is added to the forward passing rule, but it’s still not permitted in the offensive zone.
- Minor penalty given out to any player who delays game by passing the puck into his own defensive zone.
- Regulation ties will now result in 10-minute non-sudden-death overtime period.
- Hainsworth records 22 shutouts, and record 0.98 GAA.
- Roy Worters carries the New York Americans to only 9 points behind the Montreal Canadiens, winning the Hart Trophy in the process.
- Black Hawks are shut out an NHL record 8 consecutive games.
- Art Ross, having signed Tiny Thompson without ever actually seeing him play, is in turn rewarded by Tiny’s league leading 26 victories. He then goes undefeated in the playoffs, allowing only three goals in five games.
- New playoff format..first, second, and third place teams from each division face their opposite number in the other division.

Will add more later..

This is fantastic! Even if a lot of these aren't "stories" necessarily. They will all be included in each season's recap.

 

[Habsfan18]

This is fantastic! Even if a lot of these aren't "stories" necessarily. They will all be included in each season's recap.

Yeah, none of it groundbreaking stuff of course and I figured you’d be aware of most if not all. I thought I’d still compile some happenings into the thread just in case any of it could be deemed useful.

I can also get back to you with a list of books that I’d recommend as research material, if you’d be interested. The second volume of The Trail of the Stanley Cup would come in very handy if you don’t already have a copy.

 

[Sturminator]

I also found out that Paul Thompson was responsible for starting up the first Vancouver Canucks franchise.!

Now I understand why he never made the Hall.

 

[nabby12]

Now I understand why he never made the Hall.

Funny guy.

 

[overpass]

The Montreal Maroons book by William Brown is a book well worth reading about this period.

I enjoyed Brown’s look at the money side of the game. The Maroons were the team of English-speaking Montreal, including the business elite. In their Stanley Cup winning season and subsequent seasons in the late 20s, business and the stock market was booming and the team had deep-pocketed supporters who hung around the team and handed out bonuses. If I remember correctly, players could make more with these bonuses than they did in salary…this was the original cap circumvention. Some of the players went hard into business and stock market investing as well in the late 20s, and some said the Maroons more interested in their investments than in hockey. Dunc Munro is one name that was mentioned in this context.

Of course the free flow of money dried up when the stock market crashed and the Great Depression hit.

Not sure what the sources were for this side of things but I enjoyed seeing how the money side of the game tied in with the economic situation of the day.

 

[nabby12]

The Montreal Maroons book by William Brown is a book well worth reading about this period.

I enjoyed Brown’s look at the money side of the game. The Maroons were the team of English-speaking Montreal, including the business elite. In their Stanley Cup winning season and subsequent seasons in the late 20s, business and the stock market was booming and the team had deep-pocketed supporters who hung around the team and handed out bonuses. If I remember correctly, players could make more with these bonuses than they did in salary…this was the original cap circumvention. Some of the players went hard into business and stock market investing as well in the late 20s, and some said the Maroons more interested in their investments than in hockey. Dunc Munro is one name that was mentioned in this context.

Of course the free flow of money dried up when the stock market crashed and the Great Depression hit.

Not sure what the sources were for this side of things but I enjoyed seeing how the money side of the game tied in with the economic situation of the day.

Ironically enough, I'm actually extracting info from that Maroons book as we speak! It's sitting on my bedside at the moment. The money side of things will certainly be included too as I think it's fascinating and I'm sure everyone else would too.

It's sad that the Maroons had to perish when they did, as they and the Amercians were truly two of the most interesting franchises in NHL history.

I own a lot of one of the Maroons' stars personal scrapbook, photo collection, so there will be lots of great stuff about the team in the book!

 

[Habsfan18]

Ironically enough, I'm actually extracting info from that Maroons book as we speak! It's sitting on my bedside at the moment. The money side of things will certainly be included too as I think it's fascinating and I'm sure everyone else would too.

It's sad that the Maroons had to perish when they did, as they and the Amercians were truly two of the most interesting franchises in NHL history.

I own a lot of one of the Maroons' stars personal scrapbook, photo collection, so there will be lots of great stuff about the team in the book!

That’s awesome, Ty! Bet there’s some great stuff in there. One of my oldest pieces is a Maroons program from 1936:

 

[The Macho King]

The story behind the Lady Byng trophy is fantastic. Only spite-based award I know of.

 

[ChiTownPhilly]

There's some material that I've fleshed out a bit- and additional material that's interesting as a starting point for future research:

In the "top-100" project, I did a bit of research on C. Conacher, the two most significant findings of which were:

Top-100 Hockey Players of All-Time - Round 2, Vote 11
(post #79)- calls into question the supposition that Conacher didn't receive Hart-support because of putative defensive irresponsibility.

Top-100 Hockey Players of All-Time - Round 2, Vote 12

Is Kennedy significantly better than guys like Fedorov, Gilmour and Keon? They all have two-way play and good playoff records in common and weren't otherwordly offensively (compared to some of the best players ever). Quite a bit. There are "good playoff records" and "good playoff records"...

forums.hfboards.com

(post #128)- calls into question the assertion that Conacher was valueless unless scoring goals.

I don't know how deeply the following was covered by Greenland's book on immediate post-depression Chicago... BUT (to invert Allen Barra's comment about the offense of the early-80s San Diego Chargers), it seems that there were TWO great defenses in that era- the defense of the BlackHawks, AND the collective defense of the BlackHawks' opponents. Yes, they had the premier goaltender of that time (Gardiner)- and also one of the premier defensemen, as well (Seibert).-- but I suspect that their defense wasn't simply a two-man show...

Speaking of Seibert: I don't know how much ink has been spilled concerning Seibert's ur-iterations of cap circumvention, but that's a story worth telling to those who think top-down fiscal restraints (and the end-runs around them) are just a recent phenomenon.

At the close of the era under discussion, Hockey again returned to war-footing. A couple decades back, Bill James authored a brief piece revealing the baseballers whom he believed had their Hall of Fame chances fall out of their hands when their military-service uniforms were placed into them. I don't doubt pro Hockey has a few such stories, too.

 

[nabby12]

Yeah, none of it groundbreaking stuff of course and I figured you’d be aware of most if not all. I thought I’d still compile some happenings into the thread just in case any of it could be deemed useful.

I can also get back to you with a list of books that I’d recommend as research material, if you’d be interested. The second volume of The Trail of the Stanley Cup would come in very handy if you don’t already have a copy.

The second volume is the only one I own actually!! Would love to pick up the other two at some point.

 

[nabby12]

The story behind the Lady Byng trophy is fantastic. Only spite-based award I know of.

Yes it is. You should elaborate on that more for everyone, as it's a great story!

It's too bad as well that there's no NHL trophy named after Red Dutton, as he's a former president of the NHL. I know it ended poorly for him when the Americans didn't come back after the War. But still, he did a lot for the league in a tough time.

 

[nabby12]

Just giving this one a bump. I've been digging a lot lately working on some of the stories for this book, particularly in the history of the Montreal Maroons and New York Americans.

If anyone wants to help with the research for any of the top hockey stories from 1924-1942, you will certainly be credited in the book. We are also working to get this published when it is all said and done by the National Hockey League or Hockey Hall of Fame.