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CaptainCrunch · 03-13-2024, 06:04 PM

1945-46

World War 2 ended during the summer of 1945 and life was going to get back to normal. Training camps across the league opened with heightened optimism as teams welcomed back their returning players.

The Ranger's had been the most devastated posting three last place seasons in a row and they had lost the most players of all the teams in the league, so its not an exaggeration that they were looking forward to gaining their stars back.

However, it didn't take long for the teams and especially the Rangers to realize that 3 years away from the league was too long. Coach Frank Boucher of the Rangers lamented that "When we went to Camp, we had 6 of the Soldiers back, Alfie Pike, Neil and Mac Colville, Alex Shibicky and the two Patricks Muzz and Lynn. But it soon because apparent that most of them could not regain their skills that had made the Rangers soar".

Frank Brimsek returned to Boston but he wasn't the same goalie anymore, the same could be said for Bobby Bauur and Woody Dumart of the Kraut line, however Milt Schmidt picked up where he had left off. Turk Broda of Toronto returned to late in the year to help the Leafs.

The Canadians picked up where they left off and were still stinging from last years upset. The league as a whole was unhappy that most of the Habs hadn't gone to war. Boston's Art Ross snorted and called them a war time club, he was wrong as the Habs finished first and destroyed everyone in their path on the way to the cup.

But there was reason for optimism even though the returning players struggled. The League had survived the depression and a world war, the fans were flooding to the arenas, and young stars were entering the league.

Trivia

Philadelphia, LA and San Francisco all apply for expansion franchises.
The Philadelphia Arena Company of the AHL sues the league seeking a injunction prohibiting the operation of an NHL team.
The Hall of Fame with no building names 14 inductees, among them Hobey Baker, Chuck Gardiner, George Vezina, Howie Morenz, Art Ross, Frank McGee and Lord Stanley of Preston.
Art Ross steps down as the coach of the Bruins and is replaced by Dit Clapper.
Hart Trophy winner Babe Pratt of the Leafs is suspended for 9 games for betting on hockey games.
The Habs take the regular season title with a 28-17-5 record.
Chicago's Pony line of Max and Doug Bentley and Bill Mosienko help the Hawks lead the league in goals with 200.
Gaye Stewart leads the league in goals with 37.
Maurice Richard only scores 27 goals after scoring 50 last year.
Bill Durnan who unveiled a new set of gloves that allowed him to catch with both hands. He leads the league with a 2.37 gaa.
Black Jack Stewart of the Wings leads the league in PIM with 73.
One year after winning the Cup the Leafs finish in 5th place and out of the playoffs.
He Habs blow out the Hawks in their opening round series in 4 games outscoring the Hawks 26-7.
The Bruins take care of the Wings in 5 games.
The Canadians beat the Bruins in 4 games to win their 6th cup.
Max Bentley wins the Hart Trophy.
Tooe Black wins the Lady Byng.
Bill Durnan wins his third straight Vezina.
Rangers center Edgar Laprade wins the Calder.

03-13-2024, 06:04 PM	#105
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1945-46 World War 2 ended during the summer of 1945 and life was going to get back to normal. Training camps across the league opened with heightened optimism as teams welcomed back their returning players. The Ranger's had been the most devastated posting three last place seasons in a row and they had lost the most players of all the teams in the league, so its not an exaggeration that they were looking forward to gaining their stars back. However, it didn't take long for the teams and especially the Rangers to realize that 3 years away from the league was too long. Coach Frank Boucher of the Rangers lamented that "When we went to Camp, we had 6 of the Soldiers back, Alfie Pike, Neil and Mac Colville, Alex Shibicky and the two Patricks Muzz and Lynn. But it soon because apparent that most of them could not regain their skills that had made the Rangers soar". Frank Brimsek returned to Boston but he wasn't the same goalie anymore, the same could be said for Bobby Bauur and Woody Dumart of the Kraut line, however Milt Schmidt picked up where he had left off. Turk Broda of Toronto returned to late in the year to help the Leafs. The Canadians picked up where they left off and were still stinging from last years upset. The league as a whole was unhappy that most of the Habs hadn't gone to war. Boston's Art Ross snorted and called them a war time club, he was wrong as the Habs finished first and destroyed everyone in their path on the way to the cup. But there was reason for optimism even though the returning players struggled. The League had survived the depression and a world war, the fans were flooding to the arenas, and young stars were entering the league. Trivia Philadelphia, LA and San Francisco all apply for expansion franchises. The Philadelphia Arena Company of the AHL sues the league seeking a injunction prohibiting the operation of an NHL team. The Hall of Fame with no building names 14 inductees, among them Hobey Baker, Chuck Gardiner, George Vezina, Howie Morenz, Art Ross, Frank McGee and Lord Stanley of Preston. Art Ross steps down as the coach of the Bruins and is replaced by Dit Clapper. Hart Trophy winner Babe Pratt of the Leafs is suspended for 9 games for betting on hockey games. The Habs take the regular season title with a 28-17-5 record. Chicago's Pony line of Max and Doug Bentley and Bill Mosienko help the Hawks lead the league in goals with 200. Gaye Stewart leads the league in goals with 37. Maurice Richard only scores 27 goals after scoring 50 last year. Bill Durnan who unveiled a new set of gloves that allowed him to catch with both hands. He leads the league with a 2.37 gaa. Black Jack Stewart of the Wings leads the league in PIM with 73. One year after winning the Cup the Leafs finish in 5th place and out of the playoffs. He Habs blow out the Hawks in their opening round series in 4 games outscoring the Hawks 26-7. The Bruins take care of the Wings in 5 games. The Canadians beat the Bruins in 4 games to win their 6th cup. Max Bentley wins the Hart Trophy. Tooe Black wins the Lady Byng. Bill Durnan wins his third straight Vezina. Rangers center Edgar Laprade wins the Calder. __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!