1942–43 NHL season

Professional ice hockey league season August 2023 1942–43 NHL season National Hockey League Ice hockey October 31, 1942 – April 8, 1943 Regular season 50 6 Season champion Detroit Red Wings Bill Cowley (Bruins) Hart Memorial Trophy Doug Bentley (Black Hawks) Stanley Cup 1943 Stanley Cup Finals Detroit Red Wings Boston Bruins 1943–44 NHL season 1941–42 NHL season 1943–44 1941–42 NHL The 1942–43 NHL season was the 26th season of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Brooklyn Americans were dropped, leaving six teams played 50 games each. This is the first season of the "Original Six" era of the NHL. The league's long-time president Frank Calder died due to heart disease. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup. League business The NHL and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) agreed in principle that a junior-aged player could become a professional whenever he wanted, to make a living under wartime conditions. They expected that NHL clubs would rely on junior-aged players as replacements due to military enlistments.Young Players For N.H.L. Clubs? August 22, 1942 Winnipeg Tribune Winnipeg, Manitoba 19 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-aug-22-1942-1637015/ In October 1942, a new professional-amateur agreement was reached by NHL president Frank Calder, and CAHA president Frank Sargent. NHL teams were permitted to sign junior-aged players if the junior club was contacted first, and agreed not to sign any other junior-eligible players who had not yet played for the CAHA. The NHL continued to pay the CAHA for developing players.New Agreement Between Pros and Amateurs October 26, 1942 Brandon Daily Sun Brandon, Manitoba 3 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-oct-26-1942-1637047/ The Brooklyn Americans franchise was dropped, as Madison Square Garden turned down a lease agreement with team owner Red Dutton. Dutton argued that the other teams would be weakened by the war, but the other owners pointed out the number of American players serving in the armed forces was such that the Americans could not operate. A despondent Dutton left the league meeting, but was to return to the NHL sooner than he thought. With the suspension of the Americans, this was the inaugural season of the so-called Original Six era, with the NHL consisting of six teams (the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs). This arrangement would last until the 1966–67 season, after which the league doubled in size. Death of Frank Calder The league's meeting of January 25, 1943, was to have been a non-event. The only news that was supposed to come out of the meeting was that the playoffs would begin on March 20, and that all series would be best-of-seven affairs. This was resolved in the morning session. The afternoon session had just begun and Calder had informed Red Dutton of the reserve status of his suspended franchise, when Toronto coach Hap Day noticed that Calder appeared to be in pain. Two league governors came up to his aid, but he assured them he was all right. Then Calder's face contracted as if he were in pain. He took a few steps and exclaimed "My God, there IS something wrong!" He was taken to his hotel room and a doctor diagnosed a heart attack. A specialist convinced him, despite his protests, to check into St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, where he suffered a second heart attack. In a week, Calder felt well enough to return to Montreal and checked into Montreal General Hospital. After eating a light breakfast surrounded by his family and friends, he was looking over the league books when he slipped back on the pillows of his bed and died of a third heart attack. He died on February 4, 1943, at the age of 65 years. Red Dutton was chosen as the new president, on an "interim" basis.Diamond(1994), p. 10 Regular season Due to war-time travel restrictions, the NHL ceased playing overtimes to decide tie games on November 21 partway through the season. The last regular season overtime game was November 10, 1942, between the Chicago Black Hawks and the New York Rangers, won by New York 5–3. Regular season overtime would not be re-introduced until the 1983–84 NHL season, with a slight change from playing out an entire 10-minute overtime period, to a 5-minute sudden death format. Highlights Detroit finished first, partly due to the six shutouts of goaltender Johnny Mowers, who won the Vezina Trophy. During the season, Jimmy Orlando got into a stick-swinging incident with Toronto rookie Gaye Stewart and came out of it on the short end, badly cut in the face and bleeding profusely. Both players were suspended for the incident. The Montreal Canadiens were still making progress, and coach Dick Irvin put together the first "Punch Line" of Elmer Lach, Toe Blake and Joe Benoit. Maurice Richard showed promise, but broke his leg, and Canadiens' manager Tommy Gorman began to look at him as brittle. Benoit became the first Canadien to hit the 30 goal plateau since Howie Morenz did it in 1929–30 (40 goals) scoring an even 30. Gordie Drillon also added some scoring power. The Canadiens made the playoffs by one slim point and lost to Boston in the playoffs' first round. In contrast to the 1941–42 season, the Rangers felt the full impact of World War II and lost Art Coulter, Alex Shibicky, the Colville brothers, and Bill Juzda to the Armed Forces. Only Ott Heller was left of their defence. Babe Pratt was traded to Toronto for Hank Goldup and Dudley "Red" Garrett. Garrett proved to be an excellent replacement for Pratt. However, he only played 21 games, then gave his life in the Armed Forces. Goaltending was the Rangers problem as Steve Buzinski, Jimmy Franks, and old veteran Bill Beveridge all had to face lots of rubber as the Rangers went from first to worst. Final standings Playoffs Playoff bracket With the reduction of the league to six teams, the number of teams qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs was reduced to four, and the quarterfinal round was eliminated. In the semifinals, the first-place team played the third-place team, while the second-place team faced the fourth-place team, with the winners advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. In both rounds, teams competed in a best-of-seven series (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). This format would remain in place through the 1966–67 NHL season, after which expansion would increase the number of teams in the playoffs. Stanley Cup Finals Semifinals 1 Detroit 4 3 Toronto 2 2 Boston 4 4 Montreal 1 1 Detroit 4 2 Boston 0 Semifinals (1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings Olympia Stadium Maple Leaf Gardens March 21 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-det/1943/03/21/1942030111#game=1942030111,game_state=final Mel Hill (1) – 13:18 17:24 – Carl Liscombe (1) No scoring No scoring Jack Hamilton (1) – 13:55 06:06 – Don Grosso (1)06:43 – Eddie Wares (1)11:00 – Les Douglas (1) Turk Broda Johnny Mowers March 23 3–2 4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-det/1943/03/23/1942030112#game=1942030112,game_state=final No scoring 12:36 – Joe Carveth (1) Reg Hamilton (1) – 00:52Lorne Carr (1) – pp – 16:27 No scoring No scoring 12:47 – Joe Carveth (2) Jack McLean (1) – 10:18 No scoring Turk Broda Johnny Mowers March 25 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tor/1943/03/25/1942030113#game=1942030113,game_state=final No scoring Cully Simon (1) – 01:04Carl Liscombe (2) – pp – 09:21Sid Abel (1) – pp – 17:30 No scoring No scoring 14:41 – pp – Bud Poile (1)16:12 – Billy Taylor (1) Eddie Wares (2) – pp – 09:56 Turk Broda Johnny Mowers March 27 3–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tor/1943/03/27/1942030114#game=1942030114,game_state=final 12:02 – pp – Bud Poile (2)17:37 – Bucko McDonald (1) Carl Liscombe (3) – 02:15Carl Liscombe (4) – pp – 13:50 02:27 – Billy Taylor (2)17:12 – Bob Davidson (1)19:48 – pp – Sweeney Schriner (1) Sid Abel (2) – pp – 07:58 17:50 – Mel Hill (2) No scoring Turk Broda Johnny Mowers March 28 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-det/1943/03/28/1942030115#game=1942030115,game_state=final No scoring 14:54 – Eddie Wares (3) Mel Hill (3) – 15:12Babe Pratt (1) – 16:11 No scoring No scoring 02:18 – Sid Abel (3)08:13 – Mud Bruneteau (1)19:59 – Sid Abel (4) Turk Broda Johnny Mowers March 30 3–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tor/1943/03/30/1942030116#game=1942030116,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring Mud Bruneteau (2) – 11:46 11:55 – Jack McLean (2)19:47 – Sweeney Schriner (2) Joe Carveth (3) – 07:19 No scoring Adam Brown (1) – 09:21 Turk Broda Johnny Mowers Detroit won series 4–2 (2) Boston Bruins vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens This was the last time that Boston defeated Montreal in a postseason series until 1988. Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins Boston Garden Montreal Forum March 21 4–5 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1943/03/21/1942030121#game=1942030121,game_state=final Toe Blake (1) – 18:19 No scoring Buddy O'Connor (1) – pp – 00:42Toe Blake (2) – 01:52 03:51 – Don Gallinger (1)08:06 – pp – Art Jackson (1) Dutch Hiller (1) – 07:40 08:37 – Oscar Aubuchon (1)15:53 – pp – Bill Cowley (1) No scoring 12:30 – Don Gallinger (2) Paul Bibeault Frank Brimsek March 23 3–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1943/03/23/1942030122#game=1942030122,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 06:07 – Don Gallinger (3)16:39 – Ab DeMarco (1)18:02 – Art Jackson (2) Gordie Drillon (1) – 14:28Toe Blake (3) – 15:02Gordie Drillon (2) – 15:45 06:46 – Herb Cain (1)18:56 – Art Jackson (3) Paul Bibeault Frank Brimsek March 25 3–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mtl/1943/03/25/1942030123#game=1942030123,game_state=final 13:44 – Elmer Lach (1) No scoring 05:14 – Gordie Drillon (3) Herb Cain (2) – 08:45 No scoring Dit Clapper (1) – 19:08 No scoring Busher Jackson (1) – sh – 03:20 Paul Bibeault Frank Brimsek March 27 0–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mtl/1943/03/27/1942030124#game=1942030124,game_state=final 04:14 – Jack Portland (1) No scoring 17:26 – Toe Blake (4) No scoring 08:47 – Buddy O'Connor (2)16:06 – Joe Benoit (1) No scoring Paul Bibeault Frank Brimsek March 30 4–5 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1943/03/30/1942030125#game=1942030125,game_state=final Elmer Lach (2) – 10:31Buddy O'Connor (3) – 11:15 12:20 – Dit Clapper (2) Buddy O'Connor (4) – 08:51Gordie Drillon (4) – 13:17 12:41 – Murph Chamberlain (1)14:54 – Herb Cain (3) No scoring 09:49 – Herb Cain (4) No scoring 03:41 – Ab DeMarco (2) Paul Bibeault Frank Brimsek Boston won series 4–1 Stanley Cup Finals 1943 Stanley Cup Finals Boston Bruins Detroit Red Wings Olympia Stadium Boston Garden April 1 2–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-det/1943/04/01/1942030211#game=1942030211,game_state=final Art Jackson (4) – 18:13 01:15 – Jack Stewart (1) No scoring 01:12 – Mud Bruneteau (3)15:43 – sh – Sid Abel (5)19:06 – Joe Carveth (4) Ab DeMarco (3) – 17:53 01:21 – Mud Bruneteau (4)16:24 – Mud Bruneteau (5) Frank Brimsek Johnny Mowers April 4 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-det/1943/04/04/1942030212#game=1942030212,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Jack Crawford (1) – 10:16Art Jackson (5) – 11:04 17:06 – Les Douglas (2) Art Jackson (6) – 16:38 05:55 – Joe Carveth (5)06:21 – Carl Liscombe (5)13:16 – Syd Howe (1) Frank Brimsek Johnny Mowers April 7 4–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-bos/1943/04/07/1942030213#game=1942030213,game_state=final No scoring Don Grosso (2) – 03:46Don Grosso (3) – pp – 10:16 No scoring No scoring No scoring Les Douglas (3) – 08:03Don Grosso (4) – 18:41 Frank Brimsek Johnny Mowers April 8 2–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-bos/1943/04/08/1942030214#game=1942030214,game_state=final No scoring Joe Carveth (6) – 12:09 No scoring Carl Liscombe (6) – 02:45 No scoring No scoring Frank Brimsek Johnny Mowers Detroit won series 4–0 Awards Calder Memorial Trophy:(Best first-year player) Gaye Stewart, Toronto Maple LeafsHart Trophy:(Most valuable player) Bill Cowley, Boston BruinsLady Byng Trophy:(Excellence and sportsmanship) Max Bentley, Chicago Black HawksO'Brien Cup:(Stanley Cup runner-up) Boston BruinsPrince of Wales Trophy:(Best regular-season record) Detroit Red WingsVezina Trophy:(Fewest goals allowed) Johnny Mowers, Detroit Red Wings All-Star teams First team   Position   Second teamJohnny Mowers, Detroit Red Wings GFrank Brimsek, Boston BruinsEarl Seibert, Chicago Black Hawks DJack Crawford, Boston BruinsJack Stewart, Detroit Red Wings DFlash Hollett, Boston BruinsBill Cowley, Boston Bruins CSyl Apps, Toronto Maple LeafsLorne Carr, Toronto Maple Leafs RWBryan Hextall, New York RangersDoug Bentley, Chicago Black Hawks LWLynn Patrick, New York RangersJack Adams, Detroit Red Wings CoachArt Ross, Boston Bruins Player statistics Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes Player Team GP G A PTS PIM Doug Bentley Chicago Black Hawks 50 33 40 73 18 Bill Cowley Boston Bruins 48 27 45 72 10 Max Bentley Chicago Black Hawks 47 26 44 70 2 Lynn Patrick New York Rangers 50 22 39 61 28 Lorne Carr Toronto Maple Leafs 50 27 33 60 15 Billy Taylor Toronto Maple Leafs 50 18 42 60 2 Bryan Hextall New York Rangers 50 27 32 59 28 Toe Blake Montreal Canadiens 48 23 36 59 26 Elmer Lach Montreal Canadiens 45 18 40 58 14 Buddy O'Connor Montreal Canadiens 50 15 43 58 2 Source: NHLDinger 2011 148 Leading goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; Mins – Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts Player Team GP Mins GA W L T SO GAAJohnny Mowers Detroit Red Wings 50 3010 124 25 14 11 6 2.47Turk Broda Toronto Maple Leafs 50 3000 159 22 19 9 1 3.18Frank Brimsek Boston Bruins 50 3000 176 24 17 9 1 3.53 Bert Gardiner Chicago Black Hawks 50 3020 180 17 18 15 1 3.58 Paul Bibeault Montreal Canadiens 50 3010 191 19 19 12 1 3.81Jimmy Franks New York Rangers 23 1380 103 5 14 4 0 4.48Bill Beveridge New York Rangers 17 1020 89 4 10 3 1 5.24 Coaches Boston Bruins: Art Ross Chicago Black Hawks: Paul Thompson Detroit Red Wings: Jack Adams Montreal Canadiens: Dick Irvin New York Rangers: Frank Boucher Toronto Maple Leafs: Hap Day Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1942–43 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Bep Guidolin, Boston Bruins (youngest rookie in NHL history) Glen Harmon, Montreal Canadiens Ted Kennedy, Toronto Maple Leafs Joe Klukay*, Toronto Maple Leafs Bobby Lee, Montreal Canadiens Bud Poile, Toronto Maple Leafs Bill Quackenbush, Detroit Red Wings Maurice Richard, Montreal Canadiens Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1942–43 (listed with their last team): Ebbie Goodfellow, Detroit Red Wings Gordie Drillon, Montreal Canadiens See also 1942–43 NHL transactions List of Stanley Cup champions 1942 in sports 1943 in sports References Years of glory, 1942–1967: the National Hockey League's official book of the six-team era Diamond, Dan 1994 McClelland and Stewart Toronto, ON 0-7710-2817-2 Total Hockey Diamond, Dan Total Sports 2000 1-892129-85-X Dinger Ralph 2011 The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012 Dan Diamond & Associates 978-1-894801-22-5 Toronto, ON registration https://archive.org/details/nationalhockeyle0000unse_u6g5 Dryden Steve Century of hockey McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Toronto, ON 2000 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. 0-7853-9624-1 Lincolnwood, Illinois Fischler 2003 McFarlane Brian The Story of the National Hockey League Pagurian Press New York 1973 0-684-13424-1 registration https://archive.org/details/storyofnationalh0000mcfa Notes External links Hockey Database NHL.com 1942 Category:1942–43 in Canadian ice hockey by league Category:1942–43 in American ice hockey by league