Canadian Sports Heritage - Athletes of National Historic Significance
Howie Morenz (1902-1937)
Unmatched master on blades
Official portrait of Howie Morenz Courtesy of Canada's Sports Hall of FameIn the formative era of professional hockey, the “Mitchell Meteor” Howie Morenz was known for his speed on the ice and his intense concentration. He learned the game playing on the frozen Thames River in Mitchell, Ontario. In time, his skill and achievements would win international fame.
When his family moved to Stratford he joined the Stratford Midgets junior team. Now known as the “Stratford Streak”, his performance led the Ontario Hockey Association in both the regular season and playoffs during the 1920–21 season. Morenz also played for the Stratford Indians, a senior league team, dividing his time between the two teams. During the playoffs, he led both leagues in goals, assists, and points. He continued to excel in five seasons with the Indians.
In 1923, Morenz joined the Montréal Canadiens and that year the team won the Stanley Cup. He spent fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League, twelve with Montréal. He led the Canadiens in scoring for seven consecutive seasons, won three Stanley Cups, and scored 270 goals. His efforts were recognized when he won the Hart Trophy for most valuable player three times. In 1928, he scored 51 points, the first player to break the 50 mark.
Morenz returned to the Canadiens in 1936, after stints with Chicago and the New York Rangers, but his career came to a sudden and tragic end the following year when complications from a multiple leg fracture ended his life.
Respected as the most exciting player of his day, Morenz was one of the first players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945. He was voted the best hockey player of the half-century by the Canadian Press in 1950 and was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1955.
Howie Morenz was declared a National Historic Person in 1976.