1945-46 NHL season
Encyclopedia
NHL awards
| 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.... : |
Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in 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... : |
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 ... |
| Calder Memorial Trophy Calder Memorial Trophy The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season... : |
Edgar Laprade Edgar Laprade Edgar Louis "Beaver" Laprade is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He was born in Port Arthur, Ontario... , New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
| 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... : |
Max Bentley Max Bentley Maxwell Herbert Lloyd Bentley was a Canadian ice hockey forward who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League as part of a professional and senior career that spanned 20 years... , Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
| Lady Byng Trophy Lady Byng Memorial Trophy The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"... : |
Toe Blake Toe Blake Hector "Toe" Blake, CM was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League .-Nickname:His nickname came out of his childhood for his younger sister was unable to pronounce his name... , 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 ... |
| Vezina Trophy Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team... : |
Bill Durnan Bill Durnan William Ronald Durnan was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , 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 ... |
All-Star teams
| First team | Position | Second team |
|---|---|---|
| Bill Durnan Bill Durnan William Ronald Durnan was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , 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 ... |
G Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring... |
Frank Brimsek Frank Brimsek Francis Charles "Mister Zero" Brimsek was an American professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... , Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
| Jack Crawford Jack Crawford (ice hockey) John Shea "Jack" Crawford was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He was born in Dublin, Ontario.Crawford started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins in 1938. He would also play his entire career with the Bruins and retired after the 1950 season. In 1943 and 1946, he was a... , Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
D Defenceman (ice hockey) Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring... |
Ken Reardon Ken Reardon Kenneth Joseph "Kenny" Reardon was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966.... , 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 ... |
| Emile "Butch" Bouchard Emile Bouchard Émile Joseph "Butch" Bouchard, CM, CQ is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played defence with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League from 1941 to 1956. He is member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, won four Stanley Cups, was captain of the Canadiens for eight years and was voted... , 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 ... |
D | Jack Stewart, Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
| Max Bentley Max Bentley Maxwell Herbert Lloyd Bentley was a Canadian ice hockey forward who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League as part of a professional and senior career that spanned 20 years... , Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
C Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
Elmer Lach Elmer Lach Elmer James Lach is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 14 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League. He was part of the Punch line, along with Maurice Richard and Toe Blake. He led the league in scoring twice, and was awarded the Hart Memorial... , 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 ... |
| Maurice Richard Maurice Richard Joseph Henri Maurice "the Rocket" Richard, Sr., was a French-Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League from 1942 to 1960. The "Rocket" was the most prolific goal-scorer of his era, the first to achieve the feat of 50 goals in 50... , 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 ... |
RW Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink... |
Bill Mosienko Bill Mosienko William Mosienko was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks. He is best noted for recording the fastest hat trick in NHL history... , Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
| Gaye Stewart Gaye Stewart James Gaye Stewart was a professional ice hockey forward. He played nine seasons as a right winger in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... , Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
LW Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink... |
Toe Blake Toe Blake Hector "Toe" Blake, CM was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League .-Nickname:His nickname came out of his childhood for his younger sister was unable to pronounce his name... , 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 ... |
| Dick Irvin Dick Irvin James Dickinson Irvin, Sr. was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League.Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Irvin was one of the greatest players of his day, balancing a torrid slapshot and tough style with gentlemanly play... , 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 ... |
Coach Coach (ice hockey) Coach in ice hockey is the person responsible for directing the team during games and practices, prepares strategy and decides which players will participate in games.... |
Johnny Gottselig Johnny Gottselig John Gottselig was a professional ice hockey left winger who played 17 seasons for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League between 1928 and 1946. He was the second player born in the Russian Empire to play in the NHL, as well as the first European-born head coach in the league's... , Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Bentley Max Bentley Maxwell Herbert Lloyd Bentley was a Canadian ice hockey forward who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League as part of a professional and senior career that spanned 20 years... |
Chicago Black Hawks | 47 | 31 | 30 | 61 | 6 |
| Gaye Stewart Gaye Stewart James Gaye Stewart was a professional ice hockey forward. He played nine seasons as a right winger in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 50 | 37 | 15 | 52 | 8 |
| Toe Blake Toe Blake Hector "Toe" Blake, CM was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League .-Nickname:His nickname came out of his childhood for his younger sister was unable to pronounce his name... |
Montreal Canadiens | 50 | 29 | 21 | 50 | 2 |
| Clint Smith Clint Smith Clinton James "Snuffy" Smith was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and head coach best known for his time spent in the National Hockey League as a player with the New York Rangers and the Chicago Black Hawks... |
Chicago Black Hawks | 50 | 26 | 24 | 50 | 2 |
| Bill Mosienko Bill Mosienko William Mosienko was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks. He is best noted for recording the fastest hat trick in NHL history... |
Chicago Black Hawks | 40 | 18 | 30 | 48 | 12 |
| Maurice Richard Maurice Richard Joseph Henri Maurice "the Rocket" Richard, Sr., was a French-Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League from 1942 to 1960. The "Rocket" was the most prolific goal-scorer of his era, the first to achieve the feat of 50 goals in 50... |
Montreal Canadiens | 50 | 27 | 21 | 48 | 50 |
| Ab DeMarco Ab DeMarco Albert George DeMarco, Sr. was a Canadian ice hockey forward.Born in North Bay, Ontario, DeMarco started his National Hockey League career with the Chicago Black Hawks. He would also play with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. His career lasted from 1938 to... |
New York Rangers | 50 | 20 | 27 | 47 | 20 |
| Elmer Lach Elmer Lach Elmer James Lach is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 14 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League. He was part of the Punch line, along with Maurice Richard and Toe Blake. He led the league in scoring twice, and was awarded the Hart Memorial... |
Montreal Canadiens | 50 | 13 | 34 | 47 | 34 |
| Alex Kaleta Alex Kaleta Alexander "Killer" Kaleta was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers and is best known for his part in originating hockey's hat trick tradition.-Playing career:After playing in the Alberta Senior Hockey... |
Chicago Black Hawks | 49 | 19 | 27 | 46 | 17 |
| Billy Taylor | Toronto Maple Leafs | 48 | 23 | 18 | 41 | 14 |
Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts| Player | Team | GP | MIN | GA | GAA | W | L | T | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Durnan Bill Durnan William Ronald Durnan was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
Montreal Canadiens | 40 | 2400 | 104 | 2.60 | 24 | 11 | 5 | 4 |
| Harry Lumley | Detroit Red Wings | 50 | 3000 | 159 | 3.18 | 20 | 20 | 10 | 2 |
| Frank Brimsek Frank Brimsek Francis Charles "Mister Zero" Brimsek was an American professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... |
Boston Bruins | 34 | 2040 | 111 | 3.26 | 16 | 14 | 4 | 2 |
| Mike Karakas Mike Karakas Mike Karakas was an American professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League who was the league's first American-born and trained goaltender. Karakas played six full seasons and parts of two others with Chicago Black Hawks. He appeared in two Stanley Cup Finals, winning once... |
Chicago Black Hawks | 48 | 2880 | 166 | 3.46 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 1 |
| Turk Broda Turk Broda Walter "Turk" Broda was an ice hockey goaltender, playing his entire career for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Broda was born in Brandon, Manitoba to a Ukrainian family; joining the Maple Leafs in 1936.-Personal:... |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 15 | 900 | 53 | 3.53 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Frank McCool Frank McCool Francis McCool was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League. He was born in Calgary, Alberta.-Playing career:... |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 22 | 1320 | 81 | 3.68 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Chuck Rayner Chuck Rayner Claude Earl "Charlie, Chuck" Rayner was a Canadian professional hockey goaltender who played 9 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Americans and New York Rangers... |
New York Rangers | 40 | 2377 | 149 | 3.76 | 12 | 21 | 7 | 1 |
| Jim Henry Jim Henry (ice hockey) Samuel James "Sugar Jim" Henry , was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. A goaltender, Henry played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks and the Boston Bruins.... |
New York Rangers | 11 | 623 | 42 | 4.04 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1945–46 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):- Leo ReiseLeo ReiseLeopold A. Emile Reise, Sr. was a Canadian professional hockey player who played 8 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Hamilton Tigers, New York Americans and New York Rangers. He was born in Pembroke, Ontario....
, Chicago Black Hawks - George GeeGeorge Gee (ice hockey)George "Hully" Gee was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League. George died in 1972 while playing for the Detroit Red Wings oldtimers...
, Chicago Black Hawks - Jimmy Peters, Montreal Canadiens
- Cal GardnerCal GardnerCalvin Pearly "Ginger, Red, Torchy" Gardner was a professional ice hockey player in the NHL. In 1943, after playing professional hockey for three years and winning the Memorial Cup, he joined the Canadian military and took part in World War II. At the conclusion of the war, he once again began...
, New York Rangers - Edgar LapradeEdgar LapradeEdgar Louis "Beaver" Laprade is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He was born in Port Arthur, Ontario...
, New York Rangers - Tony LeswickTony LeswickAnthony Joseph Leswick was a former ice hockey forward who played mostly for the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. Nicknamed "Tough Tony" and "Mighty Mouse", he was known also as a little pest. Little, because he stood just 5'7" tall and weighed 160lbs...
, New York Rangers - Jimmy Thomson, Toronto Maple Leafs
Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1945–46 (listed with their last team):- Herb CainHerb CainHerbert James Cain was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Maroons, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:Herbert Cain grew up in Newmarket and played junior hockey for the Newmarket Redmen and the...
, Boston Bruins - Mike KarakasMike KarakasMike Karakas was an American professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League who was the league's first American-born and trained goaltender. Karakas played six full seasons and parts of two others with Chicago Black Hawks. He appeared in two Stanley Cup Finals, winning once...
, Chicago Black Hawks - Carl LiscombeCarl LiscombeHarold Carlyle Liscombe was a Detroit Red Wings hockey player in the 1940s. He was the last surviving member of Red Wings 1943 Stanley Cup team.-Playing career:...
, Detroit Red Wings - Earl SeibertEarl SeibertEarl Walter Seibert was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played for 15 seasons for the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.-Playing career:...
, Detroit Red Wings - Flash HollettFlash HollettFrank William "Bill, Flash" Hollett , was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.-Playing career:Hollett was first noticed by Maple Leafs' owner Conn Smythe as...
, Detroit Red Wings - Mud BruneteauMud BruneteauModere Fernand "Mud" Bruneteau was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League...
, Detroit Red Wings - Syd HoweSyd HoweSydney Harris Howe was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Quakers, Toronto Maple Leafs, St...
, Detroit Red Wings - Ott Heller, New York Rangers
- Lynn PatrickLynn PatrickJoseph Lynn Patrick was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and executive. As a player, Patrick played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. Lynn was an important member of one Stanley Cup title the Rangers won in 1940. After his playing career, he went on to be the general...
, New York Rangers - Frank McCoolFrank McCoolFrancis McCool was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League. He was born in Calgary, Alberta.-Playing career:...
, Toronto Maple Leafs - Bob Davidson, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Sweeney SchrinerSweeney SchrinerDavid "Sweeney" Schriner was a Russian-born Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Americans and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1935 and was the NHL scoring leader in 1935–36 and 1936–37...
, Toronto Maple Leafs - Lorne CarrLorne CarrLorne William Bell Carr was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League.-Profession career:Carr began his career in 1930 with the Vancouver Lions of the Pacific Coast Hockey League. He next played for the Buffalo Bisons of the International Hockey League. In 1934 Carr signed...
, Toronto Maple Leafs - Mel HillMel HillJohn Melvin Hill was an ice hockey right winger who was perhaps best known for his record three overtime goals in a playoff series in the 1939 playoffs which earned him the moniker, "Sudden Death".-Playing career:Hill started playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League in 1937–38,...
, Toronto Maple Leafs