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.
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 ...
History of the Maroons
The Montreal Maroons were a professional ice hockey team that played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1924 to 1938. The Maroons were one of the original six teams that formed part of the NHL and had an impressive history during their existence. Throughout their 14-year tenure, they won two Stanley Cups championships and produced some of hockey’s greatest players, including Hall-of-Famers Nels Stewart and Hooley Smith.
The Montreal Maroons first impacted the NHL when they beat out all other contenders for a spot as one of six founding members at its formation in 1924. During this period, many great players joined forces with them, such as George Hainsworth, who went on to become one of only three goaltenders inducted into both Canada's Sports Hall Of Fame AND Hockey's Hall Of Fame; Bill Cook, who was later named MVP; Sprague Cleghorn whose physical style earned him recognition; plus Punch Broadbent & Harold Darragh among others! 1926 under coach Eddie Gerard’s leadership, the club captured its first Stanley Cup championship by defeating Victoria Cougars three games to none. Two years later, in 1928, they repeated as champions after beating New York Rangers four games straight. This feat remains unmatched today - no other team has ever won back–to–back titles without losing a single game!
Despite having successful seasons throughout much 1930s due largely because stars like Nels Stewart & Hooley Smith helped lead them offensively, financial difficulties ultimately caused the ownership group headed by James Strachan to dissolve the franchise midway through the 1938 season. After leaving the league abruptly following tenures which included two cup wins seven divisional titles, fourteen playoff appearances overall record of 547 – 397 – 161 over fourteen years playing, Montreal Maroon will never forget fondly amongst fans, NHL historians alike contribution to the sport itself can never forget!
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