Sports History

Born August 19, 1895 in Ottawa, Canada, was Hockey Hall of Fame Defenseman Georges Boucher. Buck Boucher, as he was known, played for the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Maroons, and Chicago Black Hawks in the National Hockey Association and National Hockey League between 1915 and 1932. His father Tom was a championship-winning Rugby player in Canada during the 1890s and Georges followed in his footsteps as he started his professional athletic career in football as halfback for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. After three seasons he turned his attention towards hockey.

Robert Nelson "Nels" Stewart, known affectionately as "Old Poison," wasn't your average hockey player. From 1925 to 1940, he carved his name onto the NHL record books with a lethal combination of raw talent, deceptive play, and unwavering grit.

His career saw him don the jerseys of the Montreal Maroons, Boston Bruins, and New York Americans, leaving a trail of goals wherever he went. He led the league in scoring once, in 1926, and even boasted the NHL's fastest two-goal record (four seconds apart!) for decades.
But Stewart's legacy transcended mere statistics. He was a cerebral player, mastering the art of deception. His stickhandling was legendary, leaving defenders grasping at air as he wove through the ice like a phantom. Though not the hardest, his slap shot was pinpoint accurate, finding the net with uncanny precision.

He wasn't afraid to get rough, earning penalties with regularity. But even his temper served him well, fueling his intensity and drive. This duality earned him the nickname "Old Poison," a testament to his potent mix of skill and bite.

Stewart's crowning achievement came in 1937 when he surpassed Howie Morenz as the NHL's all-time leading scorer. This record stood for 15 years, a testament to his longevity and consistency. He even won the prestigious Hart Trophy twice, solidifying his status as one of the game's early greats.

While injuries and age eventually slowed him down, Stewart's impact on hockey's history is undeniable. He pioneered offensive creativity, was a relentless competitor, and was a legend loved for his unorthodox brilliance. So, the next time you see a skilled player weave through defenders and bury a well-placed shot, remember "Old Poison," who proved that finesse and fury could be a potent cocktail on the ice.

Reginald Joseph "Hooley" Smith wasn't born into hockey royalty; he clawed his way onto the frozen throne. His journey from Parkdale Pond to the Stanley Cup is a testament to grit, audacious skill, and a temper as fiery as his nickname.

Smith's early days were spent honing his talent on the makeshift rink of Toronto's Parkdale neighborhood. His puckhandling, a mesmerizing blend of speed and precision, earned him a place on the junior Parkdale Canoe Club and, soon, the senior Toronto Granites. By 1924, he was gracing the Olympic ice, scoring 18 goals and helping Canada capture gold.

Professional glory awaited. Drafted by the Ottawa Senators, Smith's offensive prowess and fiery spirit electrified the league. He terrorized opponents with his unpredictable rushes, racking up 200 goals in his career and earning a reputation as one of the most feared scorers of his era.

But Hooley wasn't just a goal machine; he was a maestro of the stick fight, his short temper legendary. His 1927 brawl with Boston's Harry Oliver, sparked by a dirty cross-check, led to a month-long suspension and cemented his "bad boy" image. Yet, even his on-ice brawls couldn't diminish his talent.

Smith found a home in Montreal with the Maroons, where he captained the "S Line," a trio of offensive juggernauts feared throughout the NHL. He led them to a Stanley Cup victory in 1935, hoisting the trophy with a characteristically mischievous grin.

His career spanned four teams and 17 seasons, each marked by flashes of brilliance and the occasional fiery outburst. He retired in 1941, leaving behind a legacy as one of his era's most electrifying and controversial players.

Hooley Smith wasn't just a hockey player; he was a character, a rogue prince who defied expectations and carved his path to greatness. His story reminds us that sometimes, the most captivating players aren't just the ones with the most trophies but those who dance on the edge of chaos, captivating us with brilliance and audacity.

Born August 21, 1912, in Victoria Mines, Ontario, was Hockey Hall of Fame Left Wing Toe Blake. This legend was a Stanley Cup Champion as a member of the 1935 Montreal Maroons; 1944, 46 Montreal Canadiens. Blake went on to coach Stanley Cup winners in 1956-60, 1965-66, 68 with his Montreal Canadiens. led the NHL in scoring in 1939, while also winning the Hart Trophy for most valuable player, and served as captain of the Canadiens from 1940 to his retirement.

Charles Albert "Babe" Siebert wasn't your typical hockey hero. In the annals of NHL history, he stands as a complex figure, a titan of the ice whose career straddled both brilliance and brutality.

His journey began in Flatbush, Brooklyn, where he carved his name on local rinks before migrating to the Montreal Maroons in 1925. Here, his talent blossomed. A powerful forward with a scoring touch, he helped the Maroons capture the Stanley Cup in his rookie season, becoming a fan favorite known for his rugged play and electrifying rushes.

Siebert wasn't just a gifted goal scorer; he was a tough-as-nails enforcer often suspended for his on-ice brawls. This duality became his trademark, earning him the fear, respect, and discipline. He thrived in the rough-and-tumble hockey of the era, but his physicality often overshadowed his skill.

His career took a surprising turn in 1933 when he was traded to the Boston Bruins. There, coach Art Ross saw hidden potential, converting Siebert into a defenseman. This move unlocked a new level of greatness. His physicality translated seamlessly to the back line, making him a dominant force against opposing forwards.

He blossomed as a blueliner, earning All-Star nods and leading the Bruins to another Stanley Cup in 1939. In 1937, he even received the Hart Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player, a testament to his newfound defensive prowess.

But the shadow of his past still loomed. Injuries and off-ice issues plagued his later years, and he tragically drowned in 1939 on the eve of his first season as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

Babe Siebert remains a controversial figure in hockey history. Undeniably talented, he was also fiercely temperamental and often crossed the line with his physicality. He was a man of contradictions, a champion on the ice but troubled off it.