The original Ottawa Senators history is deeply connected to the roots of the St. Louis Eagles. This storied franchise played some of the most competitive Ottawa Senators games in early NHL history before relocating due to financial struggles. Their short yet impactful time on the ice helped shape the future of professional hockey in both Ottawa and St. Louis.
Established
1917
City
Ottawa – St. Louis
League History
1917 – 1935 / National Hockey League
Team History
1934 – 1935 / St. Louis Eagles
1917 – 1934 / Ottawa Senators
Nickname
Senators – The Ottawa Senators are a beloved hockey team in the National Hockey League, and their history dates back to 1917. The original Ottawa Senators were one of four founding teams of the NHL, and they played until 1934, when they disbanded due to financial difficulties. Over those 17 years, the team had several nicknames reflecting its changing identity during this period.
In 1917 when it was first established as an expansion franchise in the NHL, it was known simply as “the Ottawas” or “Senators” after their home city of Ottawa. This name stuck with them for most of their time in existence; however, at times, other words like "Silver Sevens" (about seven players who stayed with them for many years) or "Senatorial Sextet" (about six-star players on the roster) were used instead depending on which player group dominated at any given time during these early days before uniformed jerseys became popular among teams.
Ottawa Senators Origin
As uniforms became more commonplace by the 1923-24 season, so did another nickname: The Silver Foxes – a nod towards coach Cy Denneny's famous silver hair color! This moniker lasted through much of the 1924-25 season before being replaced again by various other monikers, including Red Blades and Red Eagles, depending on how successful each particular year's squad happened to be playing out at that moment.
In 1926–27 though, something new came into play—a logo featuring two crossed swords forming an 'S' shape behind a shield bearing three red roses—led fans to dub them 'The Roses.' That same year also saw yet another nickname emerge: Les Rouges Etoiles de l'Est (or Eastern Stars), referencing both their location within Canada's eastern provinces as well as reflecting upon some critical stars amongst its roster, such Joe Primeau & Frank Finnigan, who helped lead team success throughout 1927–28 campaign too!
By 1929–30 things had changed once more, though - now referred just plain old 'Ottawa Senators', likely because there weren't any particularly dominant player groups leading charge anymore but rather an entire collective working together better than ever before under head coach Dave Gillman...and thus we have come full circle back where we began almost 12 seasons ago! It is truly remarkable how far this organization has come since then. Unfortunately, even if it no longer exists today, it is still fondly remembered across North America wherever hockey fans gather to discuss great moments from past glories shared between generations.
Championship
Stanley Cup 4
1927, 1923, 1921, 1920
Arena
1934 – 1935 / St. Louis Arena
*Ottawa*
1923 – 1934 / Ottawa Auditorium
1908 – 1923 / The Arena
Owner
1929 – 1935 / Ottawa Auditorium
1925 – 1929 / Frank Ahearn
1923 – 1925 / Tommy Gorman and Frank Ahearn
1918 – 1923 / Tommy Gorman and Ted Dey
1917 – 1918 / Tommy Gorman, Ted Dey and Martin Rosenthal
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
- 1917
- 1920
- 1921
- 1923
- 1927
- 1934
-
First Season in the NHL
The Senators’ first season in the NHL, 1917 – 1918, did not go well. Salary squabbles delayed the home opener (on the league’s first night, December 19, 1917) as players protested that their contracts were for twenty games, while the season schedule was for twenty-four. Enough players were appeased that the game started, 15 minutes late, while two players Hamby ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 1920
The 1920 Stanley Cup Finals were contested by the National Hockey League (NHL) champion Ottawa Senators and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) champion Seattle Metropolitans. The Senators won the series by three games to two in the best-of-five game series. Although all of the games for the series were scheduled to be played at The Arena in Ottawa, unseasonably ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 1921
The 1921 Stanley Cup Finals were contested by the National Hockey League (NHL) champion Ottawa Senators and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) champion Vancouver Millionaires. The Senators defeated Vancouver three games to two in the best-of-five game series to become the first team to win back-to-back Cup championships since the 1912 – 1913 Quebec Bulldogs. -
Stanley Cup Winner 1923
The 1923 Stanley Cup Finals were contested by the NHL champion Ottawa Senators and the WCHL champion Edmonton Eskimos. The previous WCHL-PCHA playoff format was abandoned, and the Ottawa Senators now had to play first with the PCHA champion Vancouver Maroons, followed by the WCHL champion Edmonton Eskimos in the Final. This would be the last Final until the 1983 Final to ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 1927
The 1927 Stanley Cup Finals were played by the Ottawa Senators and the Boston Bruins. It was the first time the Cup was solely contested by National Hockey League teams, owing to the demise of the Western Hockey League the previous year. It was won by the Ottawa Senators, coached by Dave Gill, over the Boston Bruins, coached by Art ... -
End of the First NHL Era in Ottawa
Despite finishing in the last place for the second year in a row, the Senators actually improved their attendance over the previous season. Even with the increased gate, they barely survived the season. After the season ended, it was announced by Auditorium president F. D. Burpee that the franchise would not return to Ottawa for the 1934 – 1935 season ...
Ottawa Senators History
The Ottawa Senators history is one of the richest in professional hockey. Originally founded in 1883, the franchise became one of the first powerhouses in Canadian ice hockey. The original team dominated early leagues, winning eleven Stanley Cups between 1903 and 1927. The Senators also developed a spirited rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens, which made their matchups some of the most memorable Ottawa Senators games of that era.
During this golden age, the club featured legendary players such as Frank McGee and King Clancy, who helped cement the Ottawa Senators history as a dynasty. Their incredible performances, along with the fierce competition in Ottawa Senators games, made the franchise a perennial favorite for championships. However, financial struggles and the Great Depression forced the team to relocate to St. Louis in 1934, where they became the short-lived St. Louis Eagles.
Senators Achievements
Although the original franchise disbanded in the mid-1930s, Ottawa’s hockey tradition endured. In 1992, a new team was awarded to the city under the same name, reviving the Ottawa Senators history and bringing back exciting Ottawa Senators games for fans. This modern version quickly built a loyal following and re-established Ottawa as a competitive NHL market.
The modern Senators achieved significant success in the 2000s, highlighted by their run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, where they battled the Anaheim Ducks. They have also won multiple division titles, produced Hart Trophy winners like Erik Karlsson, and hosted unforgettable Ottawa Senators games that honored the franchise’s storied past. This blend of historic legacy and modern achievement ensures that the Ottawa Senators history remains one of the most iconic in the NHL.
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