The Toronto St. Patricks were a pivotal team in NHL history, laying the foundation for what would later become the Toronto Maple Leafs. Known for their passionate fans and memorable green jerseys, the Toronto St. Patricks hockey legacy includes championship victories and legendary players who shaped professional hockey in Canada’s largest city.
Established
1917
City
Toronto
League History
1917 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1927 – Present / Toronto Maple Leafs
1919 – 1927 / Toronto St. Patricks
1917 – 1919 / Toronto Arenas
Nickname
St. Patricks – The Toronto St. Patrick's is among the oldest National Hockey League (NHL) teams. Established in 1919, they have been an integral part of hockey history for over a century. Like many NHL franchises, their nickname has a unique origin story that dates back to its founding days.
Toronto St. Patricks Origin
The original name of this team was the “Toronto Arenas,” and it wasn’t until 1927, when Conn Smythe took control, that he changed it to honor his Irish heritage – The Toronto St Pats! This change was made shortly after Smythe purchased two players from another NHL franchise called “St Patrick's Athletic Club,” which had just folded due to financial issues. He saw this as an opportunity to bring luck and good fortune to his new team by giving them an Irish-inspired name – The Toronto St Pats!
Since then, fans have embraced their beloved moniker with pride and enthusiasm – especially during games against fellow Canadian rivals such as Montreal Canadiens or Ottawa Senators, where chants like "Go Leafs Go!" can be heard echoing throughout arenas across Canada on game day! With such deep roots within hockey culture, it is no wonder why so many sports fans love cheering on their favorite team every season - whether they're playing at home or away - you can always count on seeing plenty of green jerseys representing 'The Patricks' spirit wherever they go!
Championship
Stanley Cups 1
1967, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1942, 1932, 1922, 1918
Arena
2019 - Present / Scotiabank Arena
1999 – 2918 / Air Canada Centre
1932 – 1999 / Maple Leaf Gardens
1917 – 1931 / Mutual Street Arena
Owner
1998 – Present / Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
1996 – 1998 / Steve Stavro and Larry Tanenbaum
1991 – 1996 / Steve Stavro
1990 – 1991 / Estate of Harold Ballard
1972 – 1990 / Harold Ballard
1970 – 1972 / Stafford Smythe and Harold Ballard
1961 – 1970 / Stafford Smythe, Harold Ballard, and John Bassett
1927 – 1961 / Conn Smythe
1919 – 1927 / Charles Querrie
1917 – 1919 / Toronto Arena Company
- 1919
- 1922
New Name St. Patricks
In 1919, Livingstone won a $20,000 judgment against the Arena Company, which promptly declared bankruptcy to avoid paying. The Toronto NHL franchise was put up for sale and Querrie put together a group that mainly consisted of the people who had run the senior amateur St. Patricks team in the Ontario Hockey Association the previous year. The new owners renamed ...
Stanley Cup Winner 1922
The 1922 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the National Hockey League (NHL) champion Toronto St. Pats and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) champion Vancouver Millionaires. The St. Pats defeated Vancouver three games to two in the best-of-five game series to win their only Stanley Cup as the St. Pats. All games were held at Arena Gardens in Toronto.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Toronto St. Patricks History
The Toronto St. Patricks, now known as the Toronto Maple Leafs, were a major part of NHL history from 1919 to 1927. The franchise began in 1917 as the Toronto Arenas, an original member of the NHL. In 1919, a group led by Charlie Querrie purchased the club and renamed it after Ireland’s patron saint, creating the identity of the Toronto St Patricks hockey team.
The Toronto St. Patricks wore distinctive green and white uniforms that became a fan favorite. Under head coach George O’Donoghue, the team captured the Stanley Cup in 1922, defeating the Vancouver Millionaires. This championship marked one of the earliest major successes in Toronto St Patricks hockey, cementing their place as a powerful force in the young league.
By 1927, financial pressures and changing ownership led to another turning point. Conn Smythe purchased the Toronto St. Patricks and immediately changed the team’s name to the Toronto Maple Leafs. With this move, the legacy of the Toronto St Patricks hockey era transitioned into what would become one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises.
Team Achievements
During their short but memorable existence, the Toronto St. Patricks achieved significant success. They won the 1922 Stanley Cup and consistently fielded competitive rosters in a rapidly growing league. Their 1922 victory remains a proud highlight of early NHL history and of the Toronto St Patricks hockey legacy.
The team also produced several players who left a lasting mark on the game. Stars like Babe Dye, who led the league in scoring multiple times, and Reg Noble, a respected two-way player, helped define the identity of the Toronto St Patricks. These contributions played a major role in shaping the tradition and spirit of professional hockey in Toronto.
Retired Number
1 / Johnny Bower
1 / Turk Broda
4 / Red Kelly
4 / Hap Day
5 / Bill Barilko
6 / Ace Bailey
7 / Tim Horton
7 / King Clancy
9 / Charlie Conacher
9 / Ted Kennedy
10 / Syl Apps
10 / George Armstrong
13 / Mats Sundin
14 / Dave Keon
17 / Wendel Clark
21 / Borje Salming
27 / Frank Mahovlich
27 / Darryl Sittler
93 / Doug Gilmour
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history