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
League	National Hockey League
Sport	Ice hockey
Duration	November 12, 1931 – April 9, 1932
Number of games	48
Number of teams	8
Regular season
Season champions	Toronto Maple Leafs
Season MVP	Howie Morenz (Canadiens)
Top scorer	Busher Jackson (Maple Leafs)
Canadian Division champions	Montreal Canadiens
American Division champions	New York Rangers
Stanley Cup
Champions	Toronto Maple Leafs
Runners-up	New York Rangers
NHL seasons
← 1930–31 1932–33 →

League business

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.

Regular season

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. The Maple Leaf Gardens was built and opened in November 1931, a remarkable achievement. 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. Chicago spoiled the home opener with a 2–1 win and it was the Black Hawks Mush March who scored 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

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

Record vs. opponents

American

Vs. American Division 1931–32 NHL Records ^[3] Team BOS CHI DET NYR Total Boston — 2–4–2 3–1–4 2–4–2 7–9–8 Chicago 4–2–2 — 3–4–1 1–5–2 8–11–5 Detroit 1–3–4 4–3–1 — 3–3–2 8–9–7 N.Y. Rangers 4–2–2 5–1–2 3–3–2 — 12–6–6

Vs. Canadian Division 1931–32 NHL Records Team MTL MTM NYA TOR Total Boston 3–2–1 1–4–1 2–3–1 2–3–1 8–12–4 Chicago 1–4–1 2–1–3 4–1–1 3–2–1 10–8–6 Detroit 2–3–1 3–3 2–2–2 3–3 10–11–3 N.Y. Rangers 2–3–1 3–2–1 4–2 2–4 11–11–2

Canadian

Vs. Canadian Division 1931–32 NHL Records ^[4] Team MTL MTM NYA TOR Total M. Canadiens — 5–2–1 4–4 4–2–2 13–8–3 M. Maroons 2–5–1 — 4–3–1 3–5 9–13–2 N.Y. Americans 4–4 3–4–1 — 1–4–3 8–12–4 Toronto 2–4–2 5–3 4–1–3 — 11–8–5

Vs. American Division 1931–32 NHL Records Team BOS CHI DET NYR Total M. Canadiens 2–3–1 4–1–1 3–2–1 3–2–1 12–8–4 M. Maroons 4–1–1 1–2–3 3–3 2–3–1 10–9–5 N.Y. Americans 3–2–1 1–4–1 2–2–2 2–4 8–12–4 Toronto 3–2–1 2–3–1 3–3 4–2 12–10–2

Playoffs

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

First round

Semifinals

Final

C1

Mtl Canadiens

1

A1

NY Rangers

3

A1

NY Rangers

0

C2

Toronto

6G

C2

Toronto

3

A2

Chicago

2G

C2

Toronto

4G

C3

Mtl Maroons

3G

C3

Mtl Maroons

3G

A3

Detroit

1G

Quarterfinals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leading scorers

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.^[5]

Leading goaltenders

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.^[6]

Coaches

American Division

• Boston Bruins: Art Ross
• Chicago Black Hawks: Emil Iverson and Godfrey Matheson
• Detroit Falcons: Jack Adams
• New York Rangers: Lester Patrick

Canadian Division

• Montreal Canadiens: Cecil Hart
• Montreal Maroons: Sprague Cleghorn
• New York Americans: Eddie Gerard
• Toronto Maple Leafs: Art Duncan and Dick Irvin

Debuts

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):

• Art Coulter, Chicago Black Hawks
• Earl Seibert, New York Rangers
• Ott Heller, New York Rangers

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

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):

• Georges Boucher, Chicago Black Hawks
• Art Gagne, Detroit Falcons
• Carson Cooper, Detroit Falcons

See also

• 1931-32 NHL Transactions
• List of Stanley Cup champions
• Ice hockey at the 1932 Winter Olympics
• 1931 in sports
• 1932 in sports

References

• 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, NY: 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. "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
4. "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
5. Dinger 2011, p. 147.
6. "1931–1932 – Regular Season – Goalie – Goalie Season Stats Leaders – Goals Against Average". nhl.com. Retrieved March 25, 2015.

External links

• Hockey Database
• NHL.com