The Montreal Maroons history reflects a powerful era in Canadian hockey. Founded in 1924, the Montreal Maroons hockey team represented the city’s English-speaking fans and quickly rose to prominence in the NHL. Their strong rivalries, passionate supporters, and memorable performances helped establish them as a major force during the league’s formative years.
Established
1924
City
Montreal
League History
1924 – 1938 / National Hockey League
Team History
1924 – 1938 / Montreal Maroons
Nickname
Maroons – Montreal Maroons is one of hockey's most storied and beloved teams, winning two Stanley Cups in the National Hockey League. The team's nickname has an interesting origin story that dates back to its first season in 1924-25.
Montreal Maroons Origin
As part of a promotion by owner Leo Dandurand, he offered fans free admission if they dressed up as maroon clowns or wore maroon clothing. This popular gimmick attracted large crowds and led to Montreal becoming known as "the city with a million laughs." Eventually, this phrase was shortened to "The Maroons" and became associated with Dandurand's team and home city.
The name stuck despite several attempts over time by other NHL owners to change it; even when new ownership took over following Dandumd’s death in 1945, they kept “Maroons” as a tribute to his legacy. It wasn't until 1938 that another professional sports franchise adopted “Maroons” for their nickname – baseball's St Louis Browns – but eventually folded due lack of fan support compared with Montreal's passionate fanbase. As such, The Maroons remain uniquely linked always with Canada’s largest metropolis - Montreal!
Championship
Stanley Cup 2
1926, 1935
Arena
1924 – 1938 / Montreal Forum
Owner
1924 – 1938 / James Strachan and Donat Raymond
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
- 1924
- 1926
- 1935
- 1938
Montreal Team Formation
The Montreal Maroons hockey team was created to appeal to the anglophone neighborhoods of Montreal. On January 2, 1918, the Montreal Arena, shared by the Montreal Canadiens and the Montreal Wanderers, burnt down. The Canadiens, who drew primarily Montreal’s francophones, moved to the Jubilee Arena which, in 1919, also burnt down, before settling in the Mount Royal Arena, which had ...
Stanley Cup Winner 1926
The 1925 – 1926 NHL season was the ninth season of the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL dropped the Hamilton, Ontario team and added two new teams in the United States of America (US), the New York Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates to bring the total number of teams to seven. The Ottawa Senators were the regular-season champion but ...
Stanley Cup Winner 1935
The 1934 – 1935 NHL season was the 18th season of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nine teams each played 48 games. The Montreal Maroons were the Stanley Cup winners as they swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in three games in the final series.
Maroons suspend operations
The league allowed the Maroons to suspend operations for the 1938 – 1939 season. The Maroons’ owners tried to sell to interests in St. Louis, Missouri. Earlier in the decade, St. Louis proved that it could support NHL hockey when the Ottawa Senators moved there to become the Eagles. However, while the Eagles had drawn very well, they survived only one ...
Montreal Maroons History
The Montreal Maroons history begins in 1924 when the Montreal Maroons hockey team joined the NHL as a rival for the Montreal Canadiens. The Maroons represented Montreal’s English-speaking community and quickly earned respect for their fast play, physical toughness, and passionate fan support. They played home games at the Montreal Forum and became a symbol of early NHL diversity.
In their second season, the Montreal Maroons history saw them win their first Stanley Cup in 1926, defeating the Victoria Cougars in four games. They repeated this feat in 1935, when the Montreal Maroons hockey team beat the Toronto Maple Leafs decisively. Stars like Nels Stewart and Hooley Smith became legends for their scoring and leadership, helped by skilled goaltenders like Clint Benedict.
Though the Montreal Maroons history includes seasons of promise, they also experienced decline. The Great Depression hit attendance hard, and maintaining two major teams in Montreal became financially unsustainable. By 1938, the Montreal Maroons hockey team suspended operations. That season, they struggled both on the ice and at the gate, and they never returned — making 1938 their final active year.
Maroons Achievements
Over 14 seasons, the Montreal Maroons history boasts 11 playoff appearances, showing consistent competitiveness in the NHL. The Montreal Maroons hockey team ended with a regular-season record slightly above .500 (271 wins, 260 losses, 91 ties), marking them as one of the stronger franchises among early NHL clubs.
Their two Stanley Cup championships in 1926 and 1935 remain the crowning achievements of the Montreal Maroons history. The Montreal Maroons hockey team also produced some of the league’s great individual performers — Nels Stewart led goal scoring, and Hooley Smith racked up points over many seasons — helping to build a legacy still honored by hockey historians.
