1925-26 NHL season
Encyclopedia
The 1925–26 NHL season was the ninth season of the National Hockey League
(NHL). The NHL dropped the Hamilton team and added two new teams in the U.S., the New York Americans
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
. The seven teams each played 36 games. The Ottawa Senators
were the regular-season champion, but lost in the NHL playoff final to the Montreal Maroons
. The Maroons defeated the defending Stanley Cup
champion Victoria Cougars
of the newly renamed Western Hockey League three games to one in a best-of-five series to win their first Stanley Cup.
club, which would sign the Hamilton players. The New York franchise was granted to Colonel J. S. Hammond and T. J. Duggan, although the ownership was held secretly by "Big Bill" Dwyer, an infamous bootlegger from New York City, to play in New York's Madison Square Garden
.
At the annual meeting on November 7, 1925, the league added another new expansion franchise, in Pittsburgh, the third United States
-based team in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators objected to the adding of the team, but were outvoted. The Pittsburgh team, known as the Pirates was formed because former Toronto NHA owner Eddie Livingstone had been again threatening to form a rival league and mentioned Pittsburgh as one of the possible franchise locations. League president Frank Calder
and the governors quickly agreed to grant the Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets
organization an NHL franchise, known as the Pittsburgh Pirates
, like the baseball club. Odie Cleghorn
left the Canadiens to sign on as playing-coach with Pittsburgh.
Tommy Gorman
and Ted Dey sold their interests in the Ottawa Senators
to T. Franklin Ahearn
. Ahearn then hired a successful junior executive,
Dave Gill
, to be secretary-treasurer (general manager) of the team and Gill hired Alex Curry, a former Senators player in the old NHA, to coach the team. Gorman joined the Americans' organization.
Eddie Gerard
improved the Montreal Maroons by signing Nels Stewart
and Babe Siebert
and signing former olympian Dunc Munro
for defense. The Maroons were on their way to glory.
Nels Stewart not only set a record for goals by a rookie, but became the first rookie to win the scoring title.
From the 1910–11 season Georges Vezina
had been the Montreal Canadiens goaltender, and had led them to the Cup in 1916 and 1924. In the first game of this season, he collapsed on the ice as the second period got underway. It was found he had tuberculosis, and he died in March 1926. The Canadiens would finish last in the standings and miss the playoffs.
Ottawa's coach Curry was quite successful, as he took a team that had gone from fourth overall to first with an impressive record of 24–8–4, and the expansion Pittsburgh Pirates
, with a strong cast of ex-amateurs led by future Hall of Famers
Roy Worters
and Lionel Conacher
, finished third.
December 15, 1925
The first regular-season game at Madison Square Garden between the Montreal Canadiens
and the expansion New York Americans
was a big event. Opening ceremonies included performances by the Governor-General's Bodyguard Band of Ottawa and the United States Military Band from West Point, displays of 'fancy skating', a miniature game between the team's mascots and the opening faceoff was made by New York Mayor John F. Hylan
and Tex Rickard. The attendance was 19,000 and the ticket prices ranged from $1.50 to $11.50. Gate receipts were donated to the Neurological Society of New York. Montreal won the game, officiated by Cooper Smeaton
3–1, and were awarded the Prince of Wales Trophy
. (The Trophy would subsequently be given as an award to the NHL playoff champions.)
renamed itself the Western Hockey League because one of its teams, the Regina Capitals
, had moved to the States
to play in Portland
, Oregon
. They were renamed the Portland Rosebuds
.
Once again, the Victoria Cougars
finished third in their league but once again won their league championship and the right to play for the Stanley Cup. The previous season, the Cougars beat the Montreal Canadiens
for the Stanley Cup with that being the only time in NHL history in which a non-NHL team won the Cup. After the 1926 playoffs, the Western Hockey League would fold leaving the Stanley Cup entirely to the NHL. The Cup would never again be contested by a non-NHL team. This was also the only season in NHL history where the number of playoff berths was less than half of the number of teams in the league.
All dates 1926
beat the third seed Pittsburgh Pirates
and then went on to beat first place Ottawa Senators
2 goals to 1 in a two game total goals series, thus capturing the O'Brien Cup, Prince of Wales Trophy
and the right to play the Victoria Cougars for the Stanley Cup.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Montreal Maroons
Montreal wins total goals series 6 goals to 4
Montreal Maroons vs. Ottawa Senators
Montreal wins total goals series 2 goals to 1.
and goaltender Clint Benedict shut out the westerners three times.
Victoria Cougars vs. Montreal Maroons
Montreal Maroons win best-of-five series 3 games to 1 for the Stanley Cup
.
was introduced this season. It was first presented to the Montreal Canadiens as winners of the first game in the new Madison Square Garden
. The Trophy was then intended to be used as a new trophy to be awarded to the champions of the National Hockey League. The existing O'Brien Cup, given also to the league champions, was not retired. Nels Stewart
won the Hart for the first time in his career. Frank Nighbor
won his second consecutive Lady Byng Trophy.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). The NHL dropped the Hamilton team and added two new teams in the U.S., the New York Americans
New York Americans
The New York Americans were a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League and the second to play in the United States. The team never won the Stanley Cup, but reached the semifinals...
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League , based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925–26 to 1929–30. The nickname comes from the baseball team also based in the city...
. The seven teams each played 36 games. The Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators (original)
The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934...
were the regular-season champion, but lost in the NHL playoff final to the Montreal Maroons
Montreal Maroons
The Montreal Maroons was a professional men's ice hockey team in the National Hockey League . They played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935...
. The Maroons defeated the defending Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champion Victoria Cougars
Victoria Cougars
The Victoria Cougars were a major league professional ice hockey team that played in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association from 1922 to 1924, and in the Western Hockey League from 1924 to 1926...
of the newly renamed Western Hockey League three games to one in a best-of-five series to win their first Stanley Cup.
League business
A special meeting was held on September 22, 1925, to discuss expansion to New York City. The NHL approved the dropping of the Hamilton Tigers franchise and the adding of the New York AmericansNew York Americans
The New York Americans were a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League and the second to play in the United States. The team never won the Stanley Cup, but reached the semifinals...
club, which would sign the Hamilton players. The New York franchise was granted to Colonel J. S. Hammond and T. J. Duggan, although the ownership was held secretly by "Big Bill" Dwyer, an infamous bootlegger from New York City, to play in New York's Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden (1925)
Madison Square Garden was an indoor arena in New York City, the third of that name. It was built in 1925 and closed in 1968, and was located on Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets in Manhattan on the site of the city's trolley car barns. It was the first Garden that was not located near...
.
At the annual meeting on November 7, 1925, the league added another new expansion franchise, in Pittsburgh, the third United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based team in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators objected to the adding of the team, but were outvoted. The Pittsburgh team, known as the Pirates was formed because former Toronto NHA owner Eddie Livingstone had been again threatening to form a rival league and mentioned Pittsburgh as one of the possible franchise locations. League president Frank Calder
Frank Calder
-External links:*...
and the governors quickly agreed to grant the Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets
Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets
The Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets was an amateur hockey team that existed between . They evolved from being an amateur to a semi-pro team and are one the earliest sports organizations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Yellow Jackets played primarily in the United States Amateur Hockey Association...
organization an NHL franchise, known as the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League , based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925–26 to 1929–30. The nickname comes from the baseball team also based in the city...
, like the baseball club. Odie Cleghorn
Odie Cleghorn
James Ogilvie "Odie" Cleghorn was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger, linesman and referee...
left the Canadiens to sign on as playing-coach with Pittsburgh.
Tommy Gorman
Tommy Gorman
Thomas Patrick "T. P." Gorman was a founder of the National Hockey League , a winner of seven Stanley Cups as a general manager with four teams, and an Olympic gold medal-winning lacrosse player for Canada....
and Ted Dey sold their interests in the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators (original)
The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934...
to T. Franklin Ahearn
T. Franklin Ahearn
Thomas Franklin Ahearn or Frank Ahearn was a NHL hockey club owner and a Canadian Member of Parliament. He was survived by his wife Norah, who lived until January 20, 1966.Mr...
. Ahearn then hired a successful junior executive,
Dave Gill
Dave Gill
Dave Gill was head coach of the original Ottawa Senators from 1926 to 1929. He won the Stanley Cup in the 1926–27 season.He died of a heart ailment in 1963 at the age of 72.Source:...
, to be secretary-treasurer (general manager) of the team and Gill hired Alex Curry, a former Senators player in the old NHA, to coach the team. Gorman joined the Americans' organization.
Rule changes
- Only two players on defence within the blue line at a time.
- A faceoff for 'ragging the puck' unless playing short-handed.
- Only team captains would be allowed to talk to referees.
- Timekeepers would signal the end of a period with a gong instead of the referee's whistle.
- Goalkeeper pads were limited to 12" wide.
- 14 player roster limits, only 12 to be dressed for any one game.
- Team salary cap of $35,000.
Regular season
The Hamilton Tigers had spent their first five seasons in the NHL in last place until last season where they went from worst to first. The success enjoyed by the Tigers players was not carried over to New York, though, as the Americans finished fifth overall with a record of 12–20–4.Eddie Gerard
Eddie Gerard
Edward George Gerard was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada he played professionally for 10 seasons for the hometown Ottawa Senators and was member of several Stanley Cup-winning teams before retiring as a player in 1923...
improved the Montreal Maroons by signing Nels Stewart
Nels Stewart
Robert Nelson "Old Poison" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League...
and Babe Siebert
Babe Siebert
Albert Charles "Babe" Siebert was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and defenceman who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Maroons, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens...
and signing former olympian Dunc Munro
Dunc Munro
Duncan Brown Munro was a Canadian Olympic ice hockey player who played with and coached the Montreal Maroons. He was born in Moray, Scotland. When he was still a child his family moved to Toronto, where he learned to play hockey. In his youth Munro also excelled in track events as a runner...
for defense. The Maroons were on their way to glory.
Nels Stewart not only set a record for goals by a rookie, but became the first rookie to win the scoring title.
From the 1910–11 season Georges Vezina
Georges Vézina
Joseph-Georges-Gonzague Vézina was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played seven seasons in the National Hockey Association and nine in the National Hockey League , all with the Montreal Canadiens...
had been the Montreal Canadiens goaltender, and had led them to the Cup in 1916 and 1924. In the first game of this season, he collapsed on the ice as the second period got underway. It was found he had tuberculosis, and he died in March 1926. The Canadiens would finish last in the standings and miss the playoffs.
Ottawa's coach Curry was quite successful, as he took a team that had gone from fourth overall to first with an impressive record of 24–8–4, and the expansion Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, with a strong cast of ex-amateurs led by future Hall of Famers
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
Roy Worters
Roy Worters
Roy "Shrimp" Worters was a Canadian professional Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Canadiens and New York Americans, and was notable for recording 66 shutouts in his career and being, at 5'3" tall, the...
and Lionel Conacher
Lionel Conacher
Lionel Pretoria Conacher, MP , nicknamed "The Big Train", was a Canadian athlete and politician. Voted the country's top athlete of the first half of the 20th century, he won championships in numerous sports. His first passion was football; he was a member of the 1921 Grey Cup champion Toronto...
, finished third.
Highlights
First game at Madison Square GardenMadison Square Garden (1925)
Madison Square Garden was an indoor arena in New York City, the third of that name. It was built in 1925 and closed in 1968, and was located on Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets in Manhattan on the site of the city's trolley car barns. It was the first Garden that was not located near...
December 15, 1925
The first regular-season game at Madison Square Garden between the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
and the expansion New York Americans
New York Americans
The New York Americans were a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League and the second to play in the United States. The team never won the Stanley Cup, but reached the semifinals...
was a big event. Opening ceremonies included performances by the Governor-General's Bodyguard Band of Ottawa and the United States Military Band from West Point, displays of 'fancy skating', a miniature game between the team's mascots and the opening faceoff was made by New York Mayor John F. Hylan
John F. Hylan
John Francis Hylan , nicknamed "Red Mike", was the Mayor of New York City from 1918 to 1925.-Biography:Hylan was born in Hunter, New York a town in upstate Greene County where his family owned a farm. Hylan married young, became dissatisfied with farm life and moved to Brooklyn with his bride, and...
and Tex Rickard. The attendance was 19,000 and the ticket prices ranged from $1.50 to $11.50. Gate receipts were donated to the Neurological Society of New York. Montreal won the game, officiated by Cooper Smeaton
Cooper Smeaton
J. Cooper Smeaton was a Canadian professional ice hockey referee and head coach.Smeaton was born in Carleton Place, Ontario. In his first game in 1913, between the Montreal Canadiens and the Montreal Wanderers of the National Hockey Association, he was confronted by Newsy Lalonde after calling an...
3–1, and were awarded the Prince of Wales Trophy
Prince of Wales Trophy
The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...
. (The Trophy would subsequently be given as an award to the NHL playoff champions.)
Playoffs
This is the last season that saw challengers from outside of the NHL compete for the Stanley Cup. At the beginning of the season, the Western Canada Hockey LeagueWestern Canada Hockey League
The Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921, was a major professional ice hockey league originally based in the prairies of Canada. It was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1925 and disbanded in 1926.-History:...
renamed itself the Western Hockey League because one of its teams, the Regina Capitals
Regina Capitals
The Regina Capitals were a professional ice hockey team originally based in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan in the Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921.-Franchise history:...
, had moved to the States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to play in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. They were renamed the Portland Rosebuds
Portland Rosebuds
Portland Rosebuds is the name of at least three professional teams based in Portland, Oregon during the first half of the 20th century. Two were professional men's ice hockey teams playing their home games at the Portland Ice Arena, one from 1914 to 1918 and another in 1925-6...
.
Once again, the Victoria Cougars
Victoria Cougars
The Victoria Cougars were a major league professional ice hockey team that played in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association from 1922 to 1924, and in the Western Hockey League from 1924 to 1926...
finished third in their league but once again won their league championship and the right to play for the Stanley Cup. The previous season, the Cougars beat the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
for the Stanley Cup with that being the only time in NHL history in which a non-NHL team won the Cup. After the 1926 playoffs, the Western Hockey League would fold leaving the Stanley Cup entirely to the NHL. The Cup would never again be contested by a non-NHL team. This was also the only season in NHL history where the number of playoff berths was less than half of the number of teams in the league.
All dates 1926
NHL Championship
The second seed Montreal MaroonsMontreal Maroons
The Montreal Maroons was a professional men's ice hockey team in the National Hockey League . They played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935...
beat the third seed Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League , based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925–26 to 1929–30. The nickname comes from the baseball team also based in the city...
and then went on to beat first place Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators (original)
The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934...
2 goals to 1 in a two game total goals series, thus capturing the O'Brien Cup, Prince of Wales Trophy
Prince of Wales Trophy
The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...
and the right to play the Victoria Cougars for the Stanley Cup.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Montreal Maroons
| Date | Team | Score | Team | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 8 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 | Montreal Maroons | 3 | |
| March 11 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 3 | Montreal Maroons | 3 |
Montreal wins total goals series 6 goals to 4
Montreal Maroons vs. Ottawa Senators
| Date | Team | Score | Team | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25 | Montreal Maroons | 1 | Ottawa Senators | 1 | |
| March 27 | Montreal Maroons | 1 | Ottawa Senators | 0 |
Montreal wins total goals series 2 goals to 1.
Finals
Nels Stewart was "Old Poison" to the Victoria Cougars, as he scored 6 goals in the 4 gamesand goaltender Clint Benedict shut out the westerners three times.
Victoria Cougars vs. Montreal Maroons
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 30 | Victoria Cougars | 0 | Montreal Maroons | 3 | |
| April 1 | Victoria Cougars | 0 | Montreal Maroons | 3 | |
| April 3 | Victoria Cougars | 3 | Montreal Maroons | 2 | |
| April 6 | Victoria Cougars | 0 | Montreal Maroons | 2 |
Montreal Maroons win best-of-five series 3 games to 1 for the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
.
NHL awards
The new Prince of Wales TrophyPrince of Wales Trophy
The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...
was introduced this season. It was first presented to the Montreal Canadiens as winners of the first game in the new Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. The Trophy was then intended to be used as a new trophy to be awarded to the champions of the National Hockey League. The existing O'Brien Cup, given also to the league champions, was not retired. Nels Stewart
Nels Stewart
Robert Nelson "Old Poison" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League...
won the Hart for the first time in his career. Frank Nighbor
Frank Nighbor
Julius Francis "Pembroke Peach" Nighbor was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and National Hockey Association and Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL, Toronto Blueshirts of the NHA and Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific...
won his second consecutive Lady Byng Trophy.
| Hart Memorial Trophy Hart Memorial Trophy The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey", is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League . The Hart Memorial Trophy has been awarded 86 times to 53 different... : (Most valuable player) |
Nels Stewart Nels Stewart Robert Nelson "Old Poison" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League... , Montreal Maroons Montreal Maroons The Montreal Maroons was a professional men's ice hockey team in the National Hockey League . They played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935... |
| Lady Byng Trophy: (Excellence and sportsmanship) |
Frank Nighbor Frank Nighbor Julius Francis "Pembroke Peach" Nighbor was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and National Hockey Association and Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL, Toronto Blueshirts of the NHA and Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific... , Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators (original) The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934... |
| O'Brien Cup O'Brien Trophy The O'Brien Trophy, or O'Brien Cup, as labelled on the trophy itself, is a retired trophy that was awarded in the National Hockey Association and the National Hockey League ice hockey leagues of North America from 1910 to 1950. It was originally donated to the NHA by Canadian Senator M.J.... : (League champions) |
Montreal Maroons Montreal Maroons The Montreal Maroons was a professional men's ice hockey team in the National Hockey League . They played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935... |
| Prince of Wales Trophy Prince of Wales Trophy The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup... : (for winning first game in Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the... ) |
Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
| Prince of Wales Trophy Prince of Wales Trophy The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup... : (League champions) |
Montreal Maroons Montreal Maroons The Montreal Maroons was a professional men's ice hockey team in the National Hockey League . They played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935... |
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nels Stewart Nels Stewart Robert Nelson "Old Poison" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League... |
Montreal Maroons | 36 | 34 | 8 | 42 |
| Cy Denneny Cy Denneny Cyril Joseph Denneny was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League and the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association. His brother Corbett Denneny also played in the NHL.-Early life:Cy Denneny was born... |
Ottawa Senators | 36 | 24 | 12 | 36 |
| Carson Cooper Carson Cooper Carson "Shovel Shot" Cooper was a Canadian Professional Hockey right winger who played 8 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Cougars and Detroit Falcons.... |
Boston Bruins | 36 | 28 | 3 | 31 |
| Jimmy Herbert | Boston Bruins | 36 | 26 | 5 | 31 |
| Howie Morenz Howie Morenz Howard William Morenz was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre for three National Hockey League teams: the Montreal Canadiens , the Chicago Black Hawks, and the New York Rangers... |
Montreal Canadiens | 31 | 23 | 3 | 26 |
| Jack Adams | Toronto St. Patricks | 36 | 21 | 5 | 26 |
| Aurel Joliat Aurel Joliat Aurèle Émile "Mighty Atom, Little Giant" Joliat was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens.... |
Montreal Canadiens | 35 | 17 | 9 | 26 |
| Billy Burch Billy Burch Harry Wilfred Burch was an Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Hamilton Tigers, New York Americans, Chicago Black Hawks, and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League... |
New York Americans | 36 | 22 | 3 | 25 |
| Hooley Smith Hooley Smith Reginald "Hooley" Smith was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Maroons, Boston Bruins and New York Americans. He won the Stanley Cup twice, with Ottawa and Montreal... |
Ottawa Senators | 28 | 16 | 9 | 25 |
| Frank Nighbor Frank Nighbor Julius Francis "Pembroke Peach" Nighbor was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and National Hockey Association and Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL, Toronto Blueshirts of the NHA and Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific... |
Ottawa Senators | 35 | 12 | 13 | 25 |
Leading goaltenders
GP = Games played, GA = Goals against, SO = Shutouts, GAA = Goals against averageGoals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
| Player | Team | GP | GA | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georges Vezina Georges Vézina Joseph-Georges-Gonzague Vézina was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played seven seasons in the National Hockey Association and nine in the National Hockey League , all with the Montreal Canadiens... |
Montreal Canadiens | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Alex Connell Alex Connell Alec Connell was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Falcons, New York Americans and Montreal Maroons teams in the National Hockey League... |
Ottawa Senators | 36 | 42 | 15 | 1.2 |
| Roy Worters Roy Worters Roy "Shrimp" Worters was a Canadian professional Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Canadiens and New York Americans, and was notable for recording 66 shutouts in his career and being, at 5'3" tall, the... |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 35 | 68 | 7 | 1.9 |
| Odie Cleghorn Odie Cleghorn James Ogilvie "Odie" Cleghorn was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger, linesman and referee... |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2.0 |
| Clint Benedict Clint Benedict Clinton Stevenson "Praying Bennie" Benedict was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Maroons. He played on four Stanley Cup-winning squads. He was the first goaltender in the National Hockey League to wear a face mask... |
Montreal Maroons | 36 | 73 | 6 | 2.0 |
| Charles Stewart Charles Stewart (ice hockey) Charles Elmer "Doc" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, most notably for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... |
Boston Bruins | 35 | 80 | 6 | 2.3 |
| Jake Forbes Jake Forbes Vernor Vivian "Jake, Jumpin' Jackie" Forbes , was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto St... |
New York Americans | 36 | 89 | 2 | 2.5 |
| Bill Taugher Bill Taugher William J. Taugher was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played from 1925 until 1936, including stops with the St. Louis Eagles of the National Hockey League , and Buffalo Bisons, Cleveland Falcons and Rochester Cardinals of the International Hockey League .-External links:... |
Montreal Canadiens | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3.0 |
| Herb Rheaume Herb Rheaume Herbert Elbert Rhéaume , born in Mason, Quebec, was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 31 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens as an emergengy replacement following Georges Vézina's death during the 1925–26 season... |
Montreal Canadiens | 29 | 89 | 0 | 3.1 |
| Alphonse Lacroix Alphonse Lacroix Alphonse Albert "Al, Frenchy" Lacroix was an American ice hockey goaltender who is best known as a member of the silver medal-winning American ice hockey team at the 1924 Winter Olympics, and as the emergency goaltender who replaced Georges Vezina when he collapsed in a game in... |
Montreal Canadiens | 5 | 16 | 0 | 3.43 |
| John Ross Roach John Ross Roach John Ross Roach was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League. Roach was known for his acrobatic style of goaltending. He was a First Team All-Star during the 1932–33 NHL season. He won a Stanley Cup in 1922... |
Toronto St. Patricks | 36 | 114 | 2 | 3.2 |
| Maurice Roberts Maurice Roberts Maurice "Moe" Roberts was an American ice hockey player, who for many years had the distinction of being both the youngest and the oldest goaltender in National Hockey League history... |
Boston Bruins | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5.0 |
NHL Playoff leading scorer
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nels Stewart Nels Stewart Robert Nelson "Old Poison" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League... |
Montreal Maroons Montreal Maroons The Montreal Maroons was a professional men's ice hockey team in the National Hockey League . They played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935... |
8 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1925–26 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):- Wildor LarochelleWildor LarochelleWildor Larochelle was a Canadian ice hockey forward.Larochelle started his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1925. He also played with the Chicago Black Hawks. He went on to win two Stanley Cups with Montreal in 1930 and 1931. He retired after the 1937...
, Montreal Canadiens - Albert Leduc, Montreal Canadiens
- Pit LepinePit LepineAlfred Pierre "Pit" Lépine was a Canadian ice hockey forward and coach. He was born in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec....
, Montreal Canadiens - Babe SiebertBabe SiebertAlbert Charles "Babe" Siebert was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and defenceman who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Maroons, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens...
, Montreal Maroons - Nels StewartNels StewartRobert Nelson "Old Poison" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League...
, Montreal Maroons - Joe Simpson, New York Americans
- Hec KilreaHec KilreaHector Joseph "Hurricane" Kilrea was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He played for the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Falcons, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League...
, Ottawa Senators - Roy WortersRoy WortersRoy "Shrimp" Worters was a Canadian professional Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Canadiens and New York Americans, and was notable for recording 66 shutouts in his career and being, at 5'3" tall, the...
, Pittsburgh Pirates - Harold DarraghHarold DarraghHarold "Howl" Darragh was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Quakers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada...
, Pittsburgh Pirates - Baldy Cotton, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Lionel ConacherLionel ConacherLionel Pretoria Conacher, MP , nicknamed "The Big Train", was a Canadian athlete and politician. Voted the country's top athlete of the first half of the 20th century, he won championships in numerous sports. His first passion was football; he was a member of the 1921 Grey Cup champion Toronto...
, Pittsburgh Pirates - Hib MilksHib MilksHibbert Henry Milks was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Quakers, New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators....
, Pittsburgh Pirates
Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1925–26 (listed with their last team):- Georges VezinaGeorges VézinaJoseph-Georges-Gonzague Vézina was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played seven seasons in the National Hockey Association and nine in the National Hockey League , all with the Montreal Canadiens...
, Montreal Canadiens
See also
- List of Stanley Cup champions
- Western Hockey LeagueWestern Canada Hockey LeagueThe Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921, was a major professional ice hockey league originally based in the prairies of Canada. It was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1925 and disbanded in 1926.-History:...
- List of pre-NHL seasons
- 1925 in sports1925 in sports-American football:NFL championship* Chicago Cardinals win a controversial National Football League title.* Five new teams join the NFL: New York Giants, Detroit Panthers, Providence Steam Roller, a new Canton Bulldogs team and the Pottsville Maroons....
- 1926 in sports1926 in sports-American football:NFL championship* Frankford Yellow Jackets win the National Football League championship with a league record of 14–1–1College championship...