The St. Louis Eagles history is one of the shortest yet most memorable stories in professional hockey. As part of the St. Louis Eagles NHL legacy, the team played only one season during 1934–35 but quickly captured fans’ attention. Their impact helped shape the growth of hockey in St. Louis long before the arrival of future franchises.
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
Eagles – Sports fans everywhere know the St. Louis Eagles are among the National Hockey League (NHL) 's most beloved teams. But many don’t realize that their nickname has a fascinating origin story, dating back to 1934 when they were first established as an expansion team.
St. Louis Eagles Origin
At the time, St. Louis was home to two professional hockey teams: The Flyers and The Falcons – named after birds of prey native to Missouri and Illinois, respectively. When it came time for the NHL's newest franchise in town to choose its moniker, management decided on “Eagles” as a nod towards both existing clubs while also representing their newfound status within the league hierarchy by selecting a name with more grandeur than either predecessor had previously enjoyed!
The Eagles went on play just two seasons before folding due to financial difficulties during Great Depression. However, despite this short lifespan, they still managed to make quite an impact across North America, from being the first-ever team to feature an all-black lineup at any level of pro sports (known as the affectionately "Black Aces") becoming the only club outside Canada win Stanley Cup championship 1936–37 season!
Though no longer active today, the legacy lives through countless stories shared generations about great players like Bill Cowley or Lorne Chabot, who made up those pioneering rosters long ago - reminding us why we love the game so much!
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
1920, 1921, 1923, 1927
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
- 1934
- 1935
-
The Move from Ottawa
The Senators’ owners decided to move the franchise to St. Louis, Missouri, and the transfer was approved by the league on May 14, 1934. Thomas Franklin Ahearn resigned as president of the Ottawa Auditorium and Redmond Quain became president. Quain transferred the players’ contracts and franchise operations to a new company called the Hockey Association of St. Louis, Inc. Eddie ... -
The End of the Eagles
By season’s end, the Eagles ownership had lost $70,000, due primarily to the cost of train travel. In those days, NHL teams traveled primarily by rail. Due to being in the Canadian Division, the Eagles had to make a lot of trips to Montreal and Toronto. An attempt to stabilize the franchise by selling off some of its players netted ...
St. Louis Eagles History
The St. Louis Eagles history is one of the shortest yet most memorable stories in the National Hockey League (NHL). The St. Louis Eagles NHL team played during the 1934–35 season after the original Ottawa Senators relocated to St. Louis due to financial struggles. Although their tenure was brief, the St. Louis Eagles NHL team left a distinct legacy for both local and national hockey fans. They quickly developed rivalries with established teams such as the Montreal Maroons and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The inaugural season of the St. Louis Eagles NHL team began with excitement and high hopes. They played their first game on November 17, 1934, against the Montreal Maroons but fell 4–2. Despite this start, the St. Louis Eagles history shows that they competed hard throughout the season, finishing with 11 wins, 31 losses, and 6 ties. Although they missed the playoffs, their spirited style of play and commitment to teamwork won over St. Louis fans. Financial challenges caused by the Great Depression forced the NHL to fold the franchise after just one season, marking the end of the St. Louis Eagles NHL experiment.
The St. Louis Eagles history also highlights the contributions of notable players such as Syd Howe, Carl Voss, and Bill Cowley. These stars helped make the team competitive despite its short existence. The St. Louis Eagles NHL squad became an important stepping stone in the careers of several players who later achieved major success in the league.
Eagles Achievements
Although they never captured a Stanley Cup, the St. Louis Eagles NHL team achieved significant milestones during their lone season. They brought NHL hockey to St. Louis for the first time, paving the way for the city’s future as a hockey market. Their spirited games against powerhouses like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Maroons remain part of the city’s rich sports narrative.
The legacy of the St. Louis Eagles history continues to influence professional hockey. By introducing NHL action to St. Louis, they helped lay the foundation for the later arrival of the St. Louis Blues and kept alive the passion for hockey in the region. Even with only one season, the St. Louis Eagles NHL team carved out a permanent place in the league’s history books.
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