Wikipedia

1931–32 NHL season

The 1931–32 NHL season was the 15th season of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Quakers suspended operations, leaving eight teams to play 48 games each. In the Stanley Cup Finals, the Toronto Maple Leafs swept the New York Rangers in three games to win the franchise's third Stanley Cup championship.

1931–32 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationNovember 12, 1931 – April 9, 1932
Number of games48
Number of teams8
Regular season
Season championsMontreal Canadiens
Season MVPHowie Morenz (Canadiens)
Top scorerBusher Jackson (Maple Leafs)
Canadian Division championsMontreal Canadiens
American Division championsNew York Rangers
Stanley Cup
ChampionsToronto Maple Leafs
  Runners-upNew York Rangers
NHL seasons

League business

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At the September 26, 1931, NHL meeting, the requests of the Philadelphia Quakers and the Ottawa Senators to suspend their franchises for the season were granted.[1] The eight remaining teams divided up the Ottawa and Philadelphia players, whose contracts were leased from Ottawa and Philadelphia. (The Quakers would not return) The players went to other teams, but their contracts were intended to revert to the original clubs. Ottawa received an offer of $300,000 for the team, on the condition that it could move to Chicago and play in the new Chicago Stadium but the owners of the Chicago Black Hawks refused to allow the new team within their territory.[2] The Detroit Falcons were bankrupt and went into receivership.

Meanwhile, the American Hockey Association, which had become the American Hockey League (AHL) in 1930–31, had declared itself a major league. NHL president Frank Calder condemned the AHL as an outlaw league, citing the team putting a franchise in Chicago, which had an NHL franchise, and a franchise in Buffalo where the NHL had a minor league affiliate. The AHL proposed a Stanley Cup challenge, and the Stanley Cup trustees ordered the NHL to play off. However, the Buffalo team collapsed and Calder entered into negotiations to merge the Chicago Shamrocks, owned by James Norris, with the bankrupt Detroit Falcons. The AHL signed an agreement with the NHL to become its minor league affiliate.

Arena changes

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The Toronto Maple Leafs moved from Arena Gardens to the new Maple Leaf Gardens. At one point, the whole project was near collapse, but when Conn Smythe and Frank Selke convinced the unions to accept stock in the Gardens as partial payment of wages, Maple Leaf Gardens was built.

Regular season

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Howie Morenz was as effective as ever for the Montreal Canadiens and won the Hart Trophy again, as the Habs once again finished first. The Rangers finished first in the American Division. But it was to be the year of Toronto, with the NHL's leading scorer Harvey "Busher" Jackson leading the way. Chicago spoiled Toronto's home opener at the new Maple Leafs Gardens with a 2–1 win, with the Black Hawks Mush March scoring the Gardens' first goal.

The Montreal Maroons were very interested in obtaining Eddie Shore from Boston. James Strachan, president of the Maroons, said he was willing to pay up to $40,000 for his contract. However, there was no deal. As Boston had fallen to the bottom of the league, it was doubtful that the Bruins would part with their ace defenceman.

Final standings

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American Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
New York Rangers 48 23 17 8 134 112 54
Chicago Black Hawks 48 18 19 11 86 101 47
Detroit Falcons 48 18 20 10 95 108 46
Boston Bruins 48 15 21 12 122 117 42
Canadian Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Montreal Canadiens 48 25 16 7 128 111 57
Toronto Maple Leafs 48 23 18 7 155 127 53
Montreal Maroons 48 19 22 7 142 139 45
New York Americans 48 16 24 8 95 142 40

Playoffs

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This was the only time since 1926–27 that three of the final four teams remaining in the playoffs were based in Canada.

Playoff bracket

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First roundSemifinalsFinal
C1Mtl Canadiens1
A1NY Rangers3
A1NY Rangers0
C2Toronto6G
C2Toronto3
A2Chicago2G
C2Toronto4G
C3Mtl Maroons3G
C3Mtl Maroons3G
A3Detroit1G

Quarterfinals

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(C2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (A2) Chicago Black Hawks

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March 27 Toronto Maple Leafs 0–1 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 07:12 – Gerry Lowrey (1)
Charlie Gardiner Goalie stats Lorne Chabot
March 29 Chicago Black Hawks 1–6 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
No scoring First period 08:32 – Hap Day (1)
09:55 – Charlie Conacher (1)
No scoring Second period 06:07 – Bob Gracie (1)
12:47 – Charlie Conacher (2)
16:06 – Frank Finnigan (1)
Art Coulter (1) – 09:50 Third period 19:35 – Baldy Cotton (1)
Lorne Chabot Goalie stats Charlie Gardiner
Toronto won series on total goals 6–2


(A3) Detroit Falcons vs. (C3) Montreal Maroons

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March 27 Montreal Maroons 1–1 Detroit Falcons Olympia Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period 11:10 – John Sorrell (1)
Baldy Northcott (1) – 01:00 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period No scoring
Alex Connell Goalie stats Flat Walsh
March 29 Detroit Falcons 0–2 Montreal Maroons Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 18:00 – Jimmy Ward (1)
No scoring Third period 19:29 – Hooley Smith (1)
Flat Walsh Goalie stats Alex Connell
Montreal won series on total goals 3–1


Semifinals

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(C1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A1) New York Rangers

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March 24 New York Rangers 3–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Bun Cook (1) – sh – 18:57 First period 15:55 – pp – Howie Morenz (1)
Bill Cook (1) – pp – 08:12 Second period 01:17 – Aurele Joliat (1)
Bill Cook (2) – 16:57 Third period 07:00 – Johnny Gagnon (1)
15:11 – Pit Lepine (1)
John Ross Roach Goalie stats George Hainsworth
March 26 New York Rangers 4–3 3OT Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 05:48 – Wildor Larochelle (1)
Earl Seibert (1) – 10:55 Second period 02:31 – sh – Aurele Joliat (2)
Butch Keeling (1) – pp – 04:24
Ching Johnson (1) – 08:40 		Third period 03:33 – Armand Mondou (1)
Bun Cook (2) – 19:32 Third overtime period No scoring
John Ross Roach Goalie stats George Hainsworth
March 27 Montreal Canadiens 0–1 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden III Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 02:08 – Ott Heller (1)
No scoring Third period No scoring
George Hainsworth Goalie stats John Ross Roach
March 29 Montreal Canadiens 2–5 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden III Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Wildor Larochelle (2) – 17:22
Albert Leduc (1) – 19:10 		Second period 08:54 – Ott Heller (2)
12:01 – Ott Heller (3)
12:21 – Bill Cook (3)
No scoring Third period 11:36 – Cecil Dillon (1)
19:14 – Butch Keeling (2)
George Hainsworth Goalie stats John Ross Roach
New York won series 3–1


(C2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (C3) Montreal Maroons

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March 31 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–1 Montreal Maroons Montreal Forum Recap  
Charlie Conacher (3) – 16:58 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 06:00 – Dave Trottier (1)
Lorne Chabot Goalie stats Flat Walsh
April 2 Montreal Maroons 2–3 OT Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
No scoring First period 03:21 – Red Horner (1)
Jimmy Ward (2) – 17:26 Second period No scoring
Hooley Smith (2) – 01:06 Third period 09:02 – Hap Day (2)
No scoring First overtime period 17:59 – Bob Gracie (2)
Flat Walsh Goalie stats Lorne Chabot
Toronto won series on total goals 4–3


Stanley Cup Finals

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Main article: 1932 Stanley Cup Finals

The Toronto Maple Leafs swept the best-of-five series against the New York Rangers three games to none. The first two games were to be played in New York City but because the circus was in town, the second game was played in Boston. The third and final game was played in Toronto. It was called the "Tennis Series", because the Leafs scored 6 goals in each game.


April 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–4 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden III Recap  
Hap Day (3) – 04:25 First period 17:25 – Bun Cook (3)
Busher Jackson (1) – 03:35
Busher Jackson (2) – 10:20
Charlie Conacher (4) – 10:50
Busher Jackson (3) – 17:05 		Second period 18:20 – Cecil Dillon (2)
Red Horner (2) – 18:32 Third period 02:35 – Ching Johnson (2)
06:30 – Bun Cook (4)
Lorne Chabot Goalie stats John Ross Roach
April 7 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–2 New York Rangers Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 03:53 – Bun Cook (5)
Busher Jackson (4) – 02:06
Charlie Conacher (5) – 08:58 		Second period 01:00 – Doug Brennan (1)
King Clancy (1) – 01:49
Charlie Conacher (6) – 09:56
King Clancy (2) – 10:51
Baldy Cotton (2) – 17:10 		Third period No scoring
Lorne Chabot Goalie stats John Ross Roach
April 9 New York Rangers 4–6 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
No scoring First period 05:39 – Andy Blair (1)
06:11 – Andy Blair (2)
Frank Boucher (1) – 15:24 Second period 10:57 – Busher Jackson (5)
Bun Cook (6) – 16:32
Frank Boucher (2) – 18:26
Frank Boucher (3) – 19:26 		Third period 08:56 – Frank Finnigan
15:07 – Ace Bailey (1)
17:36 – Bob Gracie (3)
John Ross Roach Goalie stats Lorne Chabot
Toronto won series 3–0


Awards

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Howie Morenz won the Hart Trophy for the second time in his career. Joe Primeau won the Lady Byng, the one time he would win the trophy in his career. Chuck Gardiner won the Vezina, the first of two times he would win the trophy.

1931–32 NHL awards
O'Brien Cup:
(Canadian Division champion)		 Montreal Canadiens
Prince of Wales Trophy:
(American Division champion)		 New York Rangers
Hart Trophy:
(Most valuable player)		 Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens
Lady Byng Trophy:
(Excellence and sportsmanship)		 Joe Primeau, Toronto Maple Leafs
Vezina Trophy:
(Fewest goals allowed)		 Chuck Gardiner, Chicago Black Hawks

All-Star teams

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First Team   Position   Second Team
Chuck Gardiner, Chicago Black Hawks G Roy Worters, New York Americans
Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins D Sylvio Mantha, Montreal Canadiens
Ching Johnson, New York Rangers D King Clancy, Toronto Maple Leafs
Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens C Hooley Smith, Montreal Maroons
Bill Cook, New York Rangers RW Charlie Conacher, Toronto Maple Leafs
Busher Jackson, Toronto Maple Leafs LW Aurel Joliat, Montreal Canadiens
Lester Patrick, New York Rangers Coach Dick Irvin, Toronto Maple Leafs

Player statistics

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Leading scorers

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Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Busher Jackson Toronto Maple Leafs 48 28 25 53 63
Joe Primeau Toronto Maple Leafs 46 13 37 50 25
Howie Morenz Montreal Canadiens 48 24 25 49 46
Charlie Conacher Toronto Maple Leafs 44 34 14 48 66
Bill Cook New York Rangers 48 34 14 48 33
Dave Trottier Montreal Maroons 48 26 18 44 94
Hooley Smith Montreal Maroons 43 11 33 44 49
Babe Siebert Montreal Maroons 48 21 18 39 64
Dit Clapper Boston Bruins 48 17 22 39 21
Aurel Joliat Montreal Canadiens 48 15 24 39 46

Source: NHL.[3]

Leading goaltenders

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Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Player Team GP W L T Mins GA SO GAA
Charlie Gardiner Chicago Black Hawks 48 18 19 11 2989 92 4 1.85
Alec Connell Detroit Falcons 48 18 20 10 3050 108 6 2.12
George Hainsworth Montreal Canadiens 48 25 16 7 2998 110 6 2.20
John Ross Roach New York Rangers 48 23 17 8 3020 112 9 2.23
Tiny Thompson Boston Bruins 43 13 19 11 2698 103 9 2.29
Lorne Chabot Toronto Maple Leafs 44 22 16 6 2698 106 4 2.36

Source: NHL.[4]

Coaches

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American Division

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Canadian Division

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Debuts

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The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1931–32 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Another notable debut in 1931 was Canadian national radio coverage of Toronto Maple Leafs games on the Canadian National Railway radio network. The program, originally known as the General Motors Hockey Broadcast, evolved over time into the modern CBC TV broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada.

Last games

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The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1931–32 (listed with their last team):

See also

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References

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  • Diamond, Dan, ed. (2000). Total Hockey. Total Sports. ISBN 1-892129-85-X.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  • Dryden, Steve, ed. (2000). Century of hockey. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. ISBN 0-7710-4179-9.
  • Fischler, Stan; Fischler, Shirley; Hughes, Morgan; Romain, Joseph; Duplacey, James (2003). The Hockey Chronicle: Year-by-Year History of the National Hockey League. Publications International Inc. ISBN 0-7853-9624-1.
  • McFarlane, Brian (1973). The Story of the National Hockey League. New York: Pagurian Press. ISBN 0-684-13424-1.
Notes
  1. ^ "Ottawa and Philadelphia Out of National League". The Globe and Mail. September 28, 1931. p. 6.
  2. ^ "Large Offer Is Made For Ottawa Team". The Globe and Mail. September 28, 1931. p. 6.
  3. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 147.
  4. ^ "1931–1932 – Regular Season – Goalie – Goalie Season Stats Leaders – Goals Against Average". nhl.com. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
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