Frank J. Selke
Encyclopedia
Francis Joseph Aloysius Selke (ˈsɛlki) (May 7, 1893 – July 3, 1985) was a Canadian hockey
manager in the National Hockey League
. He was a nine-time Stanley Cup
champion with the Toronto Maple Leafs
and Montreal Canadiens
and a Hockey Hall of Fame
inductee.
(now Kitchener
), Selke was managing the Iroquois Bantams in his hometown at the age of 14. He coached the Berlin Union Jacks junior team in the Ontario Hockey Association
from 1912–1915, reaching the finals of the league championship in his final season. In 1919
, he coached the University of Toronto Schools
hockey team to the first Memorial Cup
title.
He coached the St. Mary's junior OHA team to its third-straight SPA junior championship in the 1924–25 season, with a team that included future Toronto Maple Leafs
star Joe Primeau
. In 1926–27, the team became the Toronto Marlboros
, and again won the junior SPA championship. Eventual Hall of Famer
Red Horner
was a star defenceman on the Toronto team. During his time with the organization, Selke also coached the Marlboros senior team.
In 1927–28, Selke became coach and manager of the Toronto Ravinas
of the Canadian Professional Hockey League
, with Primeau as the team's leading scorer. The team was bought by the Toronto Maple Leafs
and renamed the Toronto Falcons mid-season. Late in the year, the team played some home games in Brantford
, Ontario
, after drawing poor crowds in Toronto.
Rejoining the Marlboros in 1928–29, Selke helped lead the team to the 1929 Memorial Cup
championship.
in September 1929 — a position he would hold until 1946. He helped raise funds for the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens
in 1931. While Smythe served in World War II
, Selke filled in as acting manager of the Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens. He did such a good job in that role that some of the directors of the company wanted him to remain in charge after Smythe returned.
Selke and Smythe clashed when Selke traded Frank Eddolls
to the Montreal Canadiens
for the rights to Ted Kennedy in 1943. Kennedy would go on to become one of Smythe's favourite Leafs, but at the time he was a big supporter of Eddolls and was upset that he hadn't been consulted before Selke made the deal. Once Smythe returned to Toronto, there was tension between the two, particularly after Selke wouldn't back Smythe's bid to become president of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. With his working conditions becoming intolerable, Selke turned in his resignation in May 1946.
and became general manager of the Montreal Canadiens
. He took over a Montreal team that had just come off two Stanley Cup
championships in the previous three seasons, but was in financial trouble. Regardless, he signed a great deal of players and created an extensive farm system. Anchored by Hall of Famers Maurice Richard
, Elmer Lach
, Doug Harvey and Jacques Plante
, Selke won his first Stanley Cup
with the Canadiens in 1953
.
By the mid-1950s, the farm system that Selke had established really began to put life into the Canadiens, producing additional Hall of Famers Jean Béliveau
, Dickie Moore, Tom Johnson and Henri Richard
.
After falling to the rival Detroit Red Wings
in seven games in consecutive years, 1954
and 1955
, the Canadiens won a record five consecutive Cups from 1956
–1960
. Selke retired after the 1963–64 season, turning the reins over to Sam Pollock
. He died in 1985 at the age of 92 in Rigaud
, Quebec
.
in 1960. A while after his retirement, in 1978, the NHL
inaugurated the Frank J. Selke Trophy
that is awarded annually to the best defensive forward in the league. In the QMJHL
, the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy
is awarded annually to the league's best defensive forward.
Additionally, he is also an inductee of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
as a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred race horse
s.
). He became vice-president of the Canadian Sports Network.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
manager in the National Hockey League
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...
. He was a nine-time 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 with the 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...
and 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 a Hockey Hall of Fame
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...
inductee.
Early career
Born in Berlin, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
(now Kitchener
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
), Selke was managing the Iroquois Bantams in his hometown at the age of 14. He coached the Berlin Union Jacks junior team in the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
from 1912–1915, reaching the finals of the league championship in his final season. In 1919
1919 Memorial Cup
The 1919 Memorial Cup final was the first junior ice hockey championship of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The George Richardson Memorial Trophy champions University of Toronto of the Ontario Hockey Association in Eastern Canada competed against the Abbott Cup champions Regina Pats of the...
, he coached the University of Toronto Schools
University of Toronto Schools
The University of Toronto Schools is an independent secondary day school affiliated with the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
hockey team to the first Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
title.
He coached the St. Mary's junior OHA team to its third-straight SPA junior championship in the 1924–25 season, with a team that included future 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...
star Joe Primeau
Joe Primeau
Alfred Joseph Francis "Gentleman Joe" Primeau , was a Canadian professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:...
. In 1926–27, the team became the Toronto Marlboros
Toronto Marlboros
The Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club, commonly known as the Toronto Marlboros, was founded in 1903. It operated a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association and Ontario Hockey League from 1904 to 1989...
, and again won the junior SPA championship. Eventual Hall of Famer
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...
Red Horner
Red Horner
George Reginald "Red" Horner was an ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League from 1928 to 1940. He was the Leafs captain from 1938 until his retirement. He helped the Leafs win their first Stanley Cup in 1932...
was a star defenceman on the Toronto team. During his time with the organization, Selke also coached the Marlboros senior team.
In 1927–28, Selke became coach and manager of the Toronto Ravinas
Toronto Ravinas
The Toronto Ravinas / Toronto Falcons were a minor league professional hockey team that competed in the Canadian Professional Hockey League in the 1927–28 season....
of the Canadian Professional Hockey League
Canadian Professional Hockey League
The Canadian Professional Hockey League, also known as Canpro, was a minor professional hockey league founded in 1926. After three seasons, it became the International Hockey League in 1929...
, with Primeau as the team's leading scorer. The team was bought by the 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...
and renamed the Toronto Falcons mid-season. Late in the year, the team played some home games in Brantford
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, after drawing poor crowds in Toronto.
Rejoining the Marlboros in 1928–29, Selke helped lead the team to the 1929 Memorial Cup
1929 Memorial Cup
The 1929 Memorial Cup final was the 11th junior ice hockey championship of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The George Richardson Memorial Trophy champions Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association in Eastern Canada competed against the Abbott Cup champions Elmwood Millionaires of...
championship.
Hired by the Leafs
Selke became the top assistant to Maple Leafs managing director Conn SmytheConn Smythe
Constantine Falkland Cary Smythe MC was a Canadian businessman, soldier and sportsman in ice hockey and horse racing. He is best known as the principal owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League from 1927 to 1961 and as the builder of Maple Leaf Gardens...
in September 1929 — a position he would hold until 1946. He helped raise funds for the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
in 1931. While Smythe served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Selke filled in as acting manager of the Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens. He did such a good job in that role that some of the directors of the company wanted him to remain in charge after Smythe returned.
Selke and Smythe clashed when Selke traded Frank Eddolls
Frank Eddolls
Frank Herbert Eddolls was a defenceman in the National Hockey League who played for the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, and coached the Chicago Black Hawks in 1954–55...
to 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 rights to Ted Kennedy in 1943. Kennedy would go on to become one of Smythe's favourite Leafs, but at the time he was a big supporter of Eddolls and was upset that he hadn't been consulted before Selke made the deal. Once Smythe returned to Toronto, there was tension between the two, particularly after Selke wouldn't back Smythe's bid to become president of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. With his working conditions becoming intolerable, Selke turned in his resignation in May 1946.
Joins the Canadiens
Two months after resigning from the Leafs, Selke was hired as manager of the Montreal ForumMontreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
and became general manager of 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 ...
. He took over a Montreal team that had just come off two 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...
championships in the previous three seasons, but was in financial trouble. Regardless, he signed a great deal of players and created an extensive farm system. Anchored by Hall of Famers 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...
, 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...
, Doug Harvey and Jacques Plante
Jacques Plante
Joseph Jacques Omer Plante was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. During a career lasting from 1947–1975, he was considered to be one of the most important innovators in hockey...
, Selke won his first 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...
with the Canadiens in 1953
1953 Stanley Cup Finals
-Montreal Canadiens 1953 Stanley Cup champions:-References:* Podnieks, Andrew; Hockey Hall of Fame . Lord Stanley's Cup. Bolton, Ont.: Fenn Pub. pp 12, 50. ISBN 978-1-55168-261-7...
.
By the mid-1950s, the farm system that Selke had established really began to put life into the Canadiens, producing additional Hall of Famers Jean Béliveau
Jean Béliveau
Jean Arthur "Le Gros Bill" Béliveau, is a former professional ice hockey player who played parts of 20 seasons with the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens. As a player, he won the Stanley Cup 10 times, and as an executive he was part of another seven championship teams, the most Stanley...
, Dickie Moore, Tom Johnson and Henri Richard
Henri Richard
Joseph Henri Richard is a former professional ice hockey player who played centre with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League from 1955 to 1975...
.
After falling to the rival 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...
in seven games in consecutive years, 1954
1954 Stanley Cup Finals
-References:* Podnieks, Andrew; Hockey Hall of Fame . Lord Stanley's Cup. Bolton, Ont.: Fenn Pub. pp 12, 50. ISBN 978-1-55168-261-7...
and 1955
1955 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1955 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Montreal Canadiens, appearing in their fifth of ten straight Finals and the defending champion Detroit Red Wings, in the fourth Detroit-Montreal Final series of the 1950s and the second consecutively. The Wings would win the...
, the Canadiens won a record five consecutive Cups from 1956
1956 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1956 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Montreal Canadiens and the defending champion Detroit Red Wings in the fifth Detroit-Montreal series in the 1950s. The Canadiens were making the sixth consecutive appearance in the Final series; Detroit was making their third...
–1960
1960 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1960 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the defending champion Montreal Canadiens, appearing in their tenth consecutive Final series and the Toronto Maple Leafs. This was a rematch of the 1959 Final. The Canadiens won the series four games to none for their fifth straight Cup victory...
. Selke retired after the 1963–64 season, turning the reins over to Sam Pollock
Sam Pollock
Samuel Patterson Smyth "Sam" Pollock, OC, CQ was a general manager in the National Hockey League.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sam was a keen evaluator of talent. In 1950, with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and in 1958, with the Ottawa Junior Canadiens, he won the Memorial Cup...
. He died in 1985 at the age of 92 in Rigaud
Rigaud, Quebec
Rigaud is a municipality in southwestern Quebec, Canada in the county of Vaudreuil-Soulanges at the junction of the Ottawa River and the Rigaud River. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 6,780...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
Honours
A nine-time Stanley Cup champion (1932, 1942, 1945 with the Maple Leafs; 1953, 1956–1960 with the Canadiens), Selke was elected to the Hockey Hall of FameHockey 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...
in 1960. A while after his retirement, in 1978, the NHL
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...
inaugurated the Frank J. Selke Trophy
Frank J. Selke Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. It has been awarded 33 times to...
that is awarded annually to the best defensive forward in the league. In the QMJHL
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
, the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy
Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The award began in the 1969–70 season as a team trophy awarded to the league's West Division champions. It has been awarded in its present form since 1970–71 after just...
is awarded annually to the league's best defensive forward.
Additionally, he is also an inductee of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness and thoroughbred horse racing in Canada....
as a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred race horse
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
s.
Frank D. Selke Jr.
Selke's son, Frank Selke Jr., was also a noted executive and Publicity Director from 1951 to 1965. He was part of 6 Stanley Cup winning pictures in 1953 and 1956–60. However, his name does not appear on the Stanley Cup. He was the intermission host on Montreal Canadiens broadcasts for much of the 1960s and was president of the Oakland Seals (later known as the California Golden SealsCalifornia Golden Seals
The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...
). He became vice-president of the Canadian Sports Network.