The Brooklyn Americans history highlights the NHL’s last pre-WWII expansion club and its brief but notable run. Known as the Brooklyn Americans hockey team, they played during the 1941–42 season after relocating from New York. Despite financial and wartime challenges, this team left a lasting impact on hockey’s growth in the United States.
Established
1919
City
Quebec – Hamilton – New York – Brooklyn
League History
1919 – 1942 / National Hockey League
Team History
1941 – 1942 / Brooklyn Americans
1925 – 1941 / New York Americans
1920 – 1925 / Hamilton Tigers
1919 – 1920 / Quebec Bulldogs
Nickname
Americans – The Brooklyn Americans were one of the original six teams that formed the National Hockey League in 1926. The team was based in Brooklyn, New York, and played home games at Madison Square Garden. Despite being a part of NHL history for only five years, they remain an essential part of hockey lore today due to their unique nickname: "the Amerks."
Brooklyn Americans Origin
While there are many theories as to how this unusual name came about, it is generally agreed upon that it originated from a combination of two words: “America” and “Rangers” (another NHL team). This theory suggests that when the Rangers moved from Canada to New York City in 1925, some locals began referring to them as "America's Team" since they were now in America's largest city. It is believed this phrase eventually morphed into "Amerks," which became associated with the new franchise playing nearby - hence, they adopted it as their official nickname!
Though short-lived within the league, The Brooklyn Americans' legacy lives on through its unique moniker - something all sports fans should appreciate!
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
Arena
*New York*
1925 – 1942 / Madison Square Garden
*Hamilton*
1920 – 1925 / Barton Street Arena
*Quebec*
1919 – 1920 / Quebec Arena
Owner
1936 – 1942 / Mervyn “Red” Dutton
1925 – 1936 / Bill Dwyer
1920 – 1925 / Abso Pure Ice Company
1919 – 1920 / Quebec Athletic Club
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
- 1942
-
Brooklyn Americans – Sorta
At wit’s end, Dutton changed the team’s name for the 1941 – 1942 NHL season to the Brooklyn Americans. He had every intention to move the team to Brooklyn, but there was no arena in that borough suitable enough even for temporary use. As result, they continued to play their home games in Manhattan at Madison Square Garden while practicing ...
Brooklyn Americans History
The Brooklyn Americans history is part of an era when NHL franchises faced many challenges. The team began as the New York Americans, founded in 1925 as one of the first U.S.-based NHL teams. They spent most of their existence playing in Manhattan at Madison Square Garden. In 1941–42, the franchise adopted the name Brooklyn Americans hockey in an attempt to build a borough identity, though they continued to play in Manhattan while practicing in Brooklyn.
Through the years, Brooklyn Americans history was marked by frequent struggles in performance and finances. Although they never won a Stanley Cup, the Brooklyn Americans hockey team made several playoff appearances in the 1930s and early 1940s. Their best moments included a sensational upset win over the New York Rangers in the 1937–38 playoffs, in what many remember as a “Cinderella season.”
The final season as the Brooklyn Americans hockey franchise came in 1941–42. They struggled with roster depletion because of World War II, travel restrictions, and diminishing attendance. Their record that season was 16–29–3, placing them last in the league. After that season, the team suspended operations. The NHL never reinstated them after the war. Thus ended the Brooklyn Americans history.
Americans Achievements
Even without a championship, the Brooklyn Americans history includes moments of pride. They made five playoff appearances as the New York Americans, over their 17 NHL seasons. The Brooklyn Americans hockey team earned respect when they won a playoff series in 1938 against the Rangers, which was considered one of their greatest performances.
Another achievement in the Brooklyn Americans history is their role in NHL folklore. Players like Tommy Anderson, who won the Hart Trophy in 1942, and others such as Chuck Rayner (goaltender) left lasting legacies. Even though the franchise folded, their uniform style, stars-and-stripes look, and their attempt to affiliate with Brooklyn make Brooklyn Americans hockey a beloved story among hockey historians.
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