NHL's Top 20 All-Time Greats From the 1937-38 to 1946-47 Seasons
NHL Top 20: We're Counting Down the Players Starting from the 1937-38 season to the 1946-47 NHL Season, Just Who Will Be Number One? You'll Have to Read to Find Out!
This week we will be doing part three of the series as we count down the NHL top 20 greats from the 1937-38 season to the 1946-47 season. And we'll continue to do so in 10-year increments counting down the best NHLers to ever touch the ice!
Over the NHL's 100 year lifetime, past generations and generations of today have witnessed some of the greatest players to ever lace them up to carry their respective team to the treasured Stanley Cup. So with all of these players who exactly should rank where? Well, we are here to let you know with a top 20 player article counting down said players by ten-year increments.
Players on this article will not be ranked by the prestige of name, or who they have played for and with, they will be ranked by overall points accumulated in that ten-year span. Stanley Cups will be accounted for as well but will not be at the forefront or as a deciding factor, this is a points accumulated countdown to see who falls where in this generation of play!
Gordie Drillon
RW, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Gordie Drillon spent a total of seven seasons in the NHL often splitting his time between other leagues. His NHL career began in 1936-37 for the Toronto Maple Leafs. But this countdown is between 1937-38 to 1946-47 and between that time frame, Gordie played for the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens. He'd also play for the Toronto Army Daggers in the OHA-Sr organization, the Dartmouth RCAF team in the NSDHL, the Valleyfield Braves in the QPHL, the Halifax RCAF in the NSDHL, and the Charlottetown Legion in the NSSHL. So he was definitely a busy guy when it came to hockey. But in our countdown time frame, Gordie put up 261 points in 270 games meaning he was nearly a point a game player, he also won the Lady Byng Trophy, the Maurice Richard Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy, and a Stanley Cup. Gordie was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his outstanding play and accolades in 1976.19
Lynn Patrick
LW, New York Rangers (NHL)
Lynn Patrick began his NHL career in 1934-35 for the New York Rangers, the same team he would spend his entire professional career with until retirement. However, from 1943-44 to 1944-45 he didn't any hockey for any league. That's a total of two seasons missed on what could have been a more stellar career on what was one already. His last year of hockey came in 1946-47 when he played for the New Haven Ramblers in the AHL. But from 1937-38 to 1946-47, Lynn put up 264 points in 314 games, but that's not all he also won a Stanley Cup and the Maurice Richard Trophy. Lynn Patrick was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.18
Sweeney Schriner
LW, New York Americans (NHL)
David "Sweeney" Schriner began his NHL career in 1934-35 for the New York Americans and would play for them until the 1939-40 season when he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs. He'd spend four seasons with the Leafs before playing for the Calgary Combines of the WCSHL and the Vancouver St. Regis of the PCHL in 1943-44. But in 1944-45, Sweeney would return to the NHL and the Maple Leafs for two more seasons. Those would be his last in the NHL as he would play for the Lethbridge Maple Leafs and the Regina Capitals of the WCSHL from 1946-47 to 1948-49. So how well did Schriner fare in our ten-year span? Well, he put up 274 points in 340 games along with two Stanley Cup's, he was ultimately inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.17
Babe Pratt
LW, New York Rangers (NHL)
Babe Pratt began his career way back in 1935-35 for the New York Rangers, he would play for them all the way until the 1942-43 season when he'd split that year with them and the Maple Leafs. Babe would play for Toronto until the 1946-47 season when he would join the Boston Bruins, that would be his final season in the NHL. Because he would spend the next five years between the AHL and PCHL. Babe put up 275 points in 453 games in our time span as well as winning two Stanley Cup's and one Hart Trophy, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967.16
Art Jackson
C, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Art Jackson began his career in 1935-36 for the Toronto Maple Leafs but he would only spend two seasons with the club before joining the Bruins in 1937-38. Jackson would spend one season with them as well before joining the New York Americans the following the season, but after the year with the Americans, Jackson would then again return to Boston for six and a half seasons, the other half came with the Maple Leafs. He wouldn't play in the 1945-46 season but he did in the 1946-47 season for the Toronto Barkers of the TIHL. This would be his final season in any hockey program as he retired in 1947. So how well did Art do, he registered 275 points in 386 games along with two Stanley Cup Championships.Next: #15-11
Nov 13, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Bruins fans react to a goal by center David Krejci (46) (not pictured) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Frank Brimsek
G, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Frank Brimsek was an outstanding goalie, he began his NHL career in 1938-39 with the Boston Bruins, he would split the other half of the season with the Providence Reds of the IAHL. But would become the mainstay for Boston from 1939-40 to 1942-43. In the 1943-44 season, Frank joined the U.S Coast Guard Cutters in an Exhibition league for only one season. In 1944-45 he wouldn't play any hockey but would return the following season. From 1945-46 to 1948-49, Frank would rejoin the Bruins having himself some solid seasons. His final season would come in 1949-50 for the Chicago Blackhawks. In our ten season span, Frank won 181 of 330 games with a career 2.51 goals-against-average and 31 career shutouts. He also won the Vezina Trophy twice, the Calder Trophy once, the Stanley Cup twice, Frank was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967.14
Milt Schmidt
C, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Milt Schmidt is one of the more prolific names on this list and regarded as the face of the Boston Bruins. He began his NHL in 1936-37 for the Bruins and would play with them all the way until 1954-55. However, he did have some season where he played in other locations. In 1941-42 Milt split that season between Boston and the Ottawa RCAF Flyers of the OCHL and wouldn't play any hockey the following year. Those were the only times he wasn't with the Bruins. From 1950-51 to 1953-54 he captained the Bruins while putting up some okay seasons statistically. And in 321 games in our ten season span, Milt put up 277 points, and earned one Art Ross Trophy, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.13
Carl Liscombe
LW, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Carl Liscombe began his NHL career in 1937-38 with the Detroit Red Wings but would bounce around between different leagues a lot. That same season was split between Detroit and the Pittsburgh Hornets of the IAHL. Then from 1938-39 to 1939-40 Carl would split his time between Detroit and the Indianapolis Capitals of the IAHL and would do the same during the 1940-41 season. From 1941-42 to 1945-46 Carl would exclusively play for the Red Wings without making stops anywhere else. But from 1946-47 to 1953-54, Carl would play for the St. Louis Flyers of the AHL, the Providence Reds of the AHL, the Hamilton Tigers of the OHA-Sr. Organization, the Detroit Auto Club of the IHL, the Detroit Hettche of the IHL, and finally Fairfield Univ. of the OHA-Sr. Organization. So Liscombe was definitely a busy man in the world of hockey, so how did he fare out in our ten season span? Well, he put up 277 points in 373 games as well as winning one Stanley Cup.12
Elmer Lach
C, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Elmer Lach was an outstanding hockey player, he began his career in 1940-41 for the Montreal Canadiens and would play for them all the way until retirement after the 1953-54 season without any pit stops. That's a total of 14 seasons, but that's not all, he also put up 309 points in 268 games in our ten season span putting him well above the point per game average. Elmer also won two Stanley Cup's, two Art Ross Trophies, and one Hart Trophy. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967.11
Herb Cain
LW, Montreal Maroons (NHL)
Herb Cain started his NHL career back in 1934-35 with the Montreal Maroons, however, he'd also split that season with the Windsor Bulldogs of the IHL. It wasn't until the following season that Herb would become a mainstay in the NHL. From 1935-36 to 1939-40 he would spend his time between three different clubs, the Maroons, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Boston Bruins. He'd split the 1940-41 season between Boston and the Hershey Bears of the AHL. But he would return to NHL play the next season. From 1941-42, Herb played for the Bruins until the 1946-47 season, from then on he spent four years with the Hershey Bears before finally retiring in 1950. Throughout our ten season span, Herb put up 316 points in 406 games as well as winning the Art Ross Trophy once.Next: #10-6
Dec 31, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Rangers fans react to a goal by left wing Chris Kreider (not pictured) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Doug Bentley
LW, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Doug Bentley had a very lengthy hockey career, with 12 of his 29 seasons spent in the NHL. He began his NHL career in 1939-40 for the Chicago Blackhawks and would spend the next five seasons with them before joining the Laura Beavers of the SIHA in 1944-45. He'd return to NHL play the following season for the Chicago Blackhawks spending another seven and a half years with them and the Saskatoon Quakers of the PCHL. In 1952-53, Doug played exclusively for the Quakers before joining the New York Rangers for half a season. From then on he would play for the Quakers of the WHL, the Regina-Brandon Regals of the WHL, the Saskatoon Regals of the WHL, and then finally the Los Angeles Blades of the WHL. In our ten season span Doug put up 318 points in 312 games, won the Maurice Richard Trophy twice and the Art Ross once, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.9
Syl Apps
C, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Already counted down in the Maple Leafs Top 100 of All-Time, Syl Apps was an outstanding player. He began his NHL career in 1936-37 for Toronto and would play until the 1943-44 season when he joined the Toronto Army Daggers. The following season he would go on to play for the Ottawa All-Stars, but that was only for one year as he would return to the Maple Leafs in 1945-46 and play until retirement in 1948. During his ten-year span Apps put up 334 points in 320 games as well as two Stanley Cup victories and one Lady Byng Trophy, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.8
Bryan Hextall Sr.
LW, New York Rangers (NHL)
Bryan Hextall Sr. is another player who spent his entire career with just one team despite a few years off in different organizations. Bryan began his NHL career in 1936-37 when he split that year between the Rangers and the Philadelphia Ramblers of the IAHL. But from 1937-38 to 1943-44, Bryan would play for the Rangers exclusively. In 1944-45 he'd join the St. Catharines Saints of the OHA-Sr. Organization. He'd only spend one year with the, as he would return to the Rangers in 1945-46 and play for the club until 1947-48. During his ten year span Bryan registered 339 points in 403 games along with one Art Ross Trophy, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970.7
Lorne Carr
RW, New York Rangers (NHL)
Lorne Carr began his NHL career in 1933-34 with the New York Rangers, a season that was also split between the Syracuse Stars of the IHL and the Philadelphia Arrows of the CAHL. But from 1934-35 to 1945-46 Lorne would play in the NHL with no pit stops anywhere else. His first seven seasons between that time frame were with the New York Americans, and the final five came with the Toronto Maple Leafs. And Lorne did pretty well in our ten season span, he put up 343 points in 426 games as well as winning two Stanley Cups.6
Phil Watson
C, New York Rangers (NHL)
Phil Watson began his NHL career in 1935-36 for the New York Rangers, a season that was also split with the Philadelphia Ramblers of the CAHL. But from 1936-37 to 1947-48, Phil would play for the Rangers making only one stop playing for the Montreal Canadiens in 1943-44. And he did alright, he earned himself 346 points in 464 games as well as two Stanley Cup victories.Next: #5-1
Mar 21, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Blues fans celebrates a goal by left wing Magnus Paajarvi (56) (not pictured) in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. The Blues defeated the Avalanche 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Turk Broda
G, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Easily one of the best goalies of our ten season span, Turk Broda began his NHL career in 1936-37 for the Toronto Maple Leafs and would play for them all the way until retirement after the 1951-52 season. During his time backstopping the Leafs in our ten season span, Broda earned himself 182 wins in 364 games with a career 2.59 goals against average and 34 shutouts. He won the Vezina Trophy once and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.4
Syd Howe
LW, Ottawa HC (Senators) (OHL)
Syd Howe is one of those players who enjoyed a very lengthy and successful hockey career. He made his NHL debut in 1929-30, a season that was split between the Ottawa HC (Senators), the Ottawa Rideaus of the OCHL, and the London Panthers of the IHL. In 1930-31 Syd would join the Philadelphia Quakers of the NHL but that was for only one season as he would play the next year between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Syracuse Stars of the IHL. From 1932-33 to 1933-34, Howe would once again play for the Ottawa HC (Senators), but the following season would be split between the St. Louis H. Eagles and the Detroit Red Wings, a team he would spend the majority of his career with. From 1935-36, Howe would play for Detroit all the way until the 1945-46 season which was split with the Indianapolis Capitals of the AHL. And that would be his final year in the NHL, as the next four seasons would be played with the Ottawa Senators of the QSHL, and the Ottawa Army of the OCHL. And he fared quite well in our ten season span putting up 358 points in 406 games along with two Stanley Cup victories, he was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.3
Clint Smith
C, New York Rangers (NHL)
Clint Smith began his NHL career in 1936-37 for the New York Rangers but he also split that season with the Philadelphia Ramblers of the IAHL. From 1937-38 to 1942-43 however, Clint would play for the Rangers exclusively before joining the Chicago Blackhawks for four seasons between 1943-44 and 1946-47. Those would be his final years in the NHL as the next five seasons were spent with the Tulsa Oilers of the USHL Sr. organization, the St. Paul Saints of the USHL Sr. organization, and finally the Cincinnati Mohawks of the AHL before retiring in 1952. And in our time frame, Clint put up 396 points in 481 games winning the Lady Byng Trophy twice and the Stanley Cup once, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.Next: NHL's All-Time Greats Part Two: 1927-28 to 1936-37 Seasons2
Toe Blake
LW, Montreal Maroons (NHL)
Toe Blake began his NHL career in 1934-35 with the Montreal Maroons but would do a little bit of juggling around before becoming a mainstay. That season was also split with the Hamilton Tigers of the OHA-Sr. Organization. The following year was split between the Montreal Canadiens and the Providence Reds of the CAHL. But from 1936-37 to 1947-48, Blake would play for just one team, and that was the Montreal Canadiens. In 1948-49 Blake would play for the Buffalo Bisons in the AHL for one season before spending his last two hockey seasons with the Valleyfield Braves of the QSHL. He retired in 1951 and in our ten season span he notched 478 points in 483 games along with three Stanley Cup's, one Art Ross Trophy, one Hart Trophy, and one Lady Byng Trophy. Blake was ultimately inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967.1
Bill Cowley
C, St. Louis H. Eagles (NHL)
Next week we will be doing part four of the NHL Top 20 Greats, this time from 1947-48 to 1956-57. 20 new players appear and some in positions you wouldn't think they would end up in. Stay tuned as we continue these countdowns all the way until 2017! That means the greatest 200 players who ever touched the ice!
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