Hap Day
Encyclopedia
Clarence Henry "Happy" Day (June 1, 1901 – February 17, 1990), later known as Hap Day, was a Canadian professional hockey
player who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League
for the Toronto Maple Leafs
and New York Americans
. Day enjoyed a 33-year career as a player, referee, coach and assistant general manager, 28 of which were spent in various capacities with the Maple Leafs. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1961.
His name appears on the Stanley Cup
7 times—1932 (as Captain), 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949 (as coach) and 1951 (as assistant manager); all with the Maple Leafs.
. During his teenage years, his family moved to Port McNicoll, Ontario, a small village outside of Midland, Ontario. While developing his early hockey skills, Day skated with the Midland Juniors, and while attending Midland High School, wore the uniform of its hockey team. Legend has it that he'd often walk from Port McNicoll to Midland (approximately three kilometres away) in the winter, for games at the town's Casino Rink. He played for the Hamilton Tigers of the Ontario Hockey Association
in 1922–23 and 1923–24, and then joined the varsity team at the University of Toronto
, where he was enrolled as a pharmacy major. Day was persuaded to turn professional in 1924 by Charlie Querrie, owner of the Toronto St. Pats. He played left wing in his rookie season and then switched to defence, where he would remain for the rest of his career. He became team captain in 1926.
In 1927, the St. Pats were purchased by Conn Smythe
and renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs
. Smythe kept Day as team captain. He also became a partner in Smythe's sand and gravel business. After Smythe acquired star defenceman King Clancy
from the Ottawa Senators
in 1931, Day and Clancy formed one of the top defence pairings in the NHL. The team won the Stanley Cup
in 1932. While still playing for the Leafs, Day became coach of the West Toronto Nationals
OHA junior team and led them to a Memorial Cup
victory in 1936. On September 23, 1937, Day was sold to the New York Americans
and spent one season there before retiring as a player in 1938. His 11-year tenure as captain of the St. Pats/Maple Leafs is second only to George Armstrong.
Day worked as a referee for the next two years before returning to the Leafs as coach. He guided the team through the 1940s, winning the Stanley Cup five times in 10 seasons. He was the winningest coach in Maple Leafs history until Punch Imlach
passed him; Day still ranks second on the franchise wins list behind Imlach.
Smythe promoted Day to assistant general manager in 1950. His name was engraved on the cup a 7th time in 1951. In 1955, Smythe gave Day control over most hockey operations, but remained general manager on paper. Just after the Leafs were eliminated in the playoffs in March 1957, Day was publicly embarrassed by Smythe, who told the media that he didn't know if Day was available to return to the Leafs for the following season. Officially, Day resigned, but behind the scenes he had been pushed out and was replaced by a committee headed by Smythe's son Stafford Smythe
.
Day retired to enter business life, running Elgin Handles in St. Thomas, Ontario
until selling it to his son in 1977. Day was almost convinced by Jack Kent Cooke
to become the first general manager of the Los Angeles Kings
in 1967, but he decided not to take the job, recommending Larry Regan
instead.
Day died in St. Thomas at age 88 in 1990. He and his number 4 were honoured (but not retired) by the Maple Leafs on October 4, 2006 at the Air Canada Centre
.
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...
player who played 14 seasons 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...
for 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 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...
. Day enjoyed a 33-year career as a player, referee, coach and assistant general manager, 28 of which were spent in various capacities with the Maple Leafs. He was inducted into the 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...
in 1961.
His name appears on 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...
7 times—1932 (as Captain), 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949 (as coach) and 1951 (as assistant manager); all with the Maple Leafs.
Career
Day was born in Owen Sound, OntarioOwen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound , the county seat of Grey County, is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada...
. During his teenage years, his family moved to Port McNicoll, Ontario, a small village outside of Midland, Ontario. While developing his early hockey skills, Day skated with the Midland Juniors, and while attending Midland High School, wore the uniform of its hockey team. Legend has it that he'd often walk from Port McNicoll to Midland (approximately three kilometres away) in the winter, for games at the town's Casino Rink. He played for the Hamilton Tigers of 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...
in 1922–23 and 1923–24, and then joined the varsity team at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, where he was enrolled as a pharmacy major. Day was persuaded to turn professional in 1924 by Charlie Querrie, owner of the Toronto St. Pats. He played left wing in his rookie season and then switched to defence, where he would remain for the rest of his career. He became team captain in 1926.
In 1927, the St. Pats were purchased by Conn Smythe
Conn 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...
and renamed 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...
. Smythe kept Day as team captain. He also became a partner in Smythe's sand and gravel business. After Smythe acquired star defenceman King Clancy
King Clancy
Francis Michael "King" Clancy was a Canadian professional ice hockey player, referee, coach and executive. Clancy played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a member of three Stanley Cup championship teams and won All-Star honours...
from 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...
in 1931, Day and Clancy formed one of the top defence pairings in the NHL. The team won 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...
in 1932. While still playing for the Leafs, Day became coach of the West Toronto Nationals
West Toronto Nationals
The West Toronto Nationals, also known as the "Westionals", were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1929 to 1936. Prior to that time, the team was known as the West Toronto Redmen, due to their red colour sweaters...
OHA junior team and led them to a 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...
victory in 1936. On September 23, 1937, Day was sold to 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 spent one season there before retiring as a player in 1938. His 11-year tenure as captain of the St. Pats/Maple Leafs is second only to George Armstrong.
Day worked as a referee for the next two years before returning to the Leafs as coach. He guided the team through the 1940s, winning the Stanley Cup five times in 10 seasons. He was the winningest coach in Maple Leafs history until Punch Imlach
Punch Imlach
George "Punch" Imlach , was an NHL coach and general manager. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.-Early career:...
passed him; Day still ranks second on the franchise wins list behind Imlach.
Smythe promoted Day to assistant general manager in 1950. His name was engraved on the cup a 7th time in 1951. In 1955, Smythe gave Day control over most hockey operations, but remained general manager on paper. Just after the Leafs were eliminated in the playoffs in March 1957, Day was publicly embarrassed by Smythe, who told the media that he didn't know if Day was available to return to the Leafs for the following season. Officially, Day resigned, but behind the scenes he had been pushed out and was replaced by a committee headed by Smythe's son Stafford Smythe
Stafford Smythe
Conn Stafford Smythe was the son of Conn Smythe and president of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team from 1961–1969 and from 1970 until his death.-Early years:...
.
Day retired to enter business life, running Elgin Handles in St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:...
until selling it to his son in 1977. Day was almost convinced by Jack Kent Cooke
Jack Kent Cooke
Jack Kent Cooke was a Canadian entrepreneur and former owner of the Washington Redskins , the Los Angeles Lakers , and the Los Angeles Kings , and built The Forum in Inglewood, California and FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.-Early career:Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Cooke moved with his family to...
to become the first general manager of the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 1967, but he decided not to take the job, recommending Larry Regan
Larry Regan
Lawrence Emmett Regan , was a retired Canadian National Hockey League professional ice hockey player and hockey executive. He played for the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs after a long senior-hockey career, winning the Allan Cup in 1948...
instead.
Day died in St. Thomas at age 88 in 1990. He and his number 4 were honoured (but not retired) by the Maple Leafs on October 4, 2006 at the Air Canada Centre
Air Canada Centre
The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar ....
.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1924–25 | Toronto St. Pats | NHL | 26 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1925–26 | Toronto St. Pats | NHL | 36 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1926–27 | Toronto St. Pats/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... |
NHL | 44 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1927–28 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 27 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1928–29 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 44 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 85 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1929–30 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 43 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1930–31 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 44 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | ||
| 1931–32 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 47 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 33 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 1932–33 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 47 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 46 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 21 | ||
| 1933–34 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 48 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 35 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 1934–35 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 45 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 38 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 1935–36 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 44 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 41 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 1936–37 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 48 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1937–38 1937–38 NHL season -European tour:After the Stanley Cup final finished, the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens played a nine-game exhibition series in Europe, becoming the first NHL teams to play outside North America. Six games were played in England, three in France... |
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... |
NHL | 43 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 586 | 86 | 116 | 202 | 596 | 51 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 56 | ||||
Coaching record
| Team | |Regular season | TOR 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... |
1940–41 | 48 | 28 | 14 | 6 | 62 | 2nd in NHL | Lost in first round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOR | 1941–42 | 48 | 27 | 18 | 3 | 57 | 2nd in NHL | Won 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... |
||
| TOR | 1942–43 1942–43 NHL season -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes-Leading goaltenders:... |
50 | 22 | 19 | 9 | 53 | 3rd in NHL | Lost in first round | ||
| TOR | 1943–44 | 50 | 23 | 23 | 4 | 50 | 3rd in NHL | Lost in first round | ||
| TOR | 1944–45 | 50 | 24 | 22 | 4 | 52 | 3rd in NHL | Won Stanley Cup | ||
| TOR | 1945–46 | 50 | 19 | 24 | 7 | 45 | 5th in NHL | Did not qualify | ||
| TOR | 1946–47 | 60 | 31 | 19 | 10 | 72 | 2nd in NHL | Won Stanley Cup | ||
| TOR | 1947–48 | 60 | 32 | 15 | 13 | 77 | 1st in NHL | Won Stanley Cup | ||
| TOR | 1948–49 | 60 | 22 | 25 | 13 | 57 | 4th in NHL | Won Stanley Cup | ||
| TOR | 1949–50 | 70 | 31 | 27 | 12 | 74 | 3rd in NHL | Lost in first round |