Hap Emms
Encyclopedia
Leighton A. "Hap" Emms was a Canadian
ice hockey
player, coach, owner, general manager and pioneer of the game. Emms was as controversial as he was successful during close to 60 years in hockey. He played in the NHL between 1926 and 1938 for the Montreal Maroons
, New York Americans
, Boston Bruins
and Detroit Red Wings
.
After retiring from playing, he was the owner and coach of the Barrie Flyers
from 1945 to 1960. He coached his team to winning the Memorial Cup
in 1951, with his son Paul and nephew Don on the roster and in 1953, with future Boston Bruins stars, Doug Mohns
and Don McKenney
, among others. He later owned the Niagara Falls Flyers
from 1960 to 1972 after moving the Barrie team.
From 1965 through 1967, Emms was the general manager of the NHL Boston Bruins. He succeeded Lynn Patrick
and brought such players as John "Pie" McKenzie, Gerry Cheevers
and Gary Doak
to the Bruins. In addition, he promoted Harry Sinden
to coach in 1966, and was the general manager during Bobby Orr
's first season in the National League. However, the Bruins failed to make the playoffs during Emms' two seasons, and he was replaced by his assistant, all-time Boston great Milt Schmidt
, in the spring of 1967. Emms then returned to Niagara Falls, Ontario, to resume command of his junior hockey club.
In 1972 the Emms family sold the Flyers and immediately bought the neighbouring St. Catharines Black Hawks
. Emms later moved the Black Hawks to Niagara Falls in 1976, who became the second Niagara Falls Flyers franchise. After 50 years in hockey, Emms sold the Flyers to Reg Quinn in 1978. He died in 1988 at 83 from heart failure.
The Ontario Hockey League
's Emms Division was named in his honour. The Emms Trophy
is awarded to the team which wins the OHL Central Division, and formerly awarded to the Western Conference winner. The Emms Family Award
is awarded annually to the OHL Rookie of the Year. The Hap Emms Memorial Trophy
is awarded to the outstanding goaltender at the Memorial Cup tournament.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ice hockey
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, coach, owner, general manager and pioneer of the game. Emms was as controversial as he was successful during close to 60 years in hockey. He played in the NHL between 1926 and 1938 for 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...
, 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...
, 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...
and 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...
.
After retiring from playing, he was the owner and coach of the Barrie Flyers
Barrie Flyers
The Barrie Flyers were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1945 to 1960, from Barrie, Ontario.-History:The Barrie Flyers junior team was founded in 1945 by Leighton "Hap" Emms. The franchise was soon affiliated with the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Barrie quickly became a...
from 1945 to 1960. He coached his team to winning the 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...
in 1951, with his son Paul and nephew Don on the roster and in 1953, with future Boston Bruins stars, Doug Mohns
Doug Mohns
Douglas Allen "Diesel" Mohns is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1953–54 until 1974–75. Mohns twice won the most coveted prize in junior hockey, the Memorial Cup...
and Don McKenney
Don McKenney
Donald Hamilton McKenney is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward...
, among others. He later owned the Niagara Falls Flyers
Niagara Falls Flyers
----The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982....
from 1960 to 1972 after moving the Barrie team.
From 1965 through 1967, Emms was the general manager of the NHL Boston Bruins. He succeeded Lynn Patrick
Lynn Patrick
Joseph 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...
and brought such players as John "Pie" McKenzie, Gerry Cheevers
Gerry Cheevers
Gerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972...
and Gary Doak
Gary Doak
Gary Walter Doak is a former NHL defenceman who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers. He recorded 23 goals and 107 assists for a total of 130 points in 789 NHL regular season games. His name was engraved on the Stanley Cup in 1970...
to the Bruins. In addition, he promoted Harry Sinden
Harry Sinden
Harry James Sinden was the long-time general manager, coach, and president for the Boston Bruins NHL hockey team, and was the coach of Team Canada during the 1972 Summit Series...
to coach in 1966, and was the general manager during Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
's first season in the National League. However, the Bruins failed to make the playoffs during Emms' two seasons, and he was replaced by his assistant, all-time Boston great Milt Schmidt
Milt Schmidt
Milton Conrad Schmidt is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre, coach and general manager, mostly for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
, in the spring of 1967. Emms then returned to Niagara Falls, Ontario, to resume command of his junior hockey club.
In 1972 the Emms family sold the Flyers and immediately bought the neighbouring St. Catharines Black Hawks
St. Catharines Black Hawks
The St. Catharines Black Hawks were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1962 to 1976. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
. Emms later moved the Black Hawks to Niagara Falls in 1976, who became the second Niagara Falls Flyers franchise. After 50 years in hockey, Emms sold the Flyers to Reg Quinn in 1978. He died in 1988 at 83 from heart failure.
The Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
's Emms Division was named in his honour. The Emms Trophy
Emms Trophy
The Emms Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Emms Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the Central Division. The award is named in recognition of Leighton "Hap" Emms and his contribution to junior hockey in Ontario.-Winners...
is awarded to the team which wins the OHL Central Division, and formerly awarded to the Western Conference winner. The Emms Family Award
Emms Family Award
The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player in the Ontario Hockey League.The award was donated to the OHL by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of franchises in Barrie, Niagara Falls and St...
is awarded annually to the OHL Rookie of the Year. The Hap Emms Memorial Trophy
Hap Emms Memorial Trophy
The Hap Emms Memorial Trophy is awarded to the outstanding goaltender at the Memorial Cup of the Canadian Hockey League.The award is named after Leighton "Hap" Emms, who led four teams to championship victories at the Memorial Cup in the 1950s and 1960s....
is awarded to the outstanding goaltender at the Memorial Cup tournament.