1924–25 Boston Bruins season

The 1924–25 Boston Bruins season was the team's first in the National Hockey League (NHL). Along with the Montreal Maroons, the Bruins were the first expansion franchise in the NHL and the league's first American-based club. The Bruins finished sixth and last in the league standings.

1924–25 Boston Bruins
1924–25 record	6–24–0 (12 points)
Goals for	49
Goals against	119
Team information
General manager	Art Ross
Coach	Art Ross
Captain	none
Arena	Boston Arena
Team leaders
Goals	Jimmy Herbert (17)
Assists	Jimmy Herbert (5)
Points	Jimmy Herbert (22)
Penalty minutes	Jimmy Herbert (50)
Wins	Doc Stewart (5)
Goals against average	Doc Stewart (3.08)
1925–26 →

Offseason

In 1924,^[1] Charles Adams, the magnate who owned the Connor Grocery stores changed (which would merge with two other companies in 1925 to from the First National grocery chain), obtained an NHL expansion franchise for Boston. The approval was finalized on October 13, 1924, for US$15,000 (equivalent to $266,680 in 2023), making the Bruins the first NHL team to be based in the United States. Adams' first act was to hire Art Ross, a former star player and innovator, as general manager and coach.

Ross nicknamed the team "Bruins", which also went along with the team's original uniform colors of brown and yellow, which came from Adams' grocery chain.^[2][3] Most of the Bruins' players for its inaugural season were signed from the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the Western Canada Hockey League.^[4] The first player to sign for the Bruins was defenseman Herb Mitchell, who signed for the Bruins on November 2, 1924.^[5]

The Bruins first saw action in an exhibition game against the Saskatoon Sheiks of the Western Canada Hockey League on November 29, which was then Thanksgiving; it was the first professional match held in Boston Arena.^[6] Boston lost the game 2–1.

Subsequently, leaks in the Arena's cooling system forced the team to practice in Montreal in the runup to the season opener.^[7]

Regular season

See also: 1924–25 NHL season

Despite problems with the ice plant that threatened the home opener ^[8] the Bruins started the season out auspiciously, defeating their fellow expansion Maroons squad in a nearly empty Arena 2–1. The first goal in franchise history was scored by Smokey Harris, while Carson Cooper, who assisted on Harris' goal, scored the game winner.^[9] It was the first NHL game played in the United States.^[10] The game was broadcast by radio station WBZ, with play-by-play by the Boston Traveler's Frank Ryan.^[11] Since the crowd failed to meet expectations, the Bruins dropped prices to US$2.75 (equivalent to $48.89 in 2023) for a reserved seat and US$1.10 (equivalent to $19.56 in 2023) for standing room.^[11]

However, Boston lost its next eleven games, as well as having a seven-game losing streak — which included their second home game on December 8, initiating the Bruins' most intense rivalry over time^[12] — and finished in the basement. The Bruins had signed veteran West Coast star goaltender Hec Fowler as their netminder, but behind a weak defense, Fowler and backup Howie Lockhart played very poorly and the Bruins were repeatedly shelled, allowing ten goals in a game twice, one of which saw Toronto player Babe Dye score five goals on December 22.^[4]

The signing of senior league star netminder Doc Stewart and the purchase of Lionel Hitchman helped somewhat, but the team was riddled with injuries, and only Jimmy Herbert and Carson Cooper (who spent much of the season hurt) showed any offensive flair. The team's winning percentage of .200 was the second worst in league history to that date, and remains the tenth worst in NHL history.^[13]

The Bruins' debut season home games were played in the only "debut" rink of any of the Original Six NHL teams that has survived into the 21st century — Boston Arena, the world's oldest indoor multi-sports facility that is still used for ice hockey at any level of competition.^[14][15]

Final standings

National Hockey League

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
Hamilton Tigers	30	19	10	1	90	60	39
Toronto St. Patricks	30	19	11	0	90	84	38
Montreal Canadiens	30	17	11	2	93	56	36
Ottawa Senators	30	17	12	1	83	66	35
Montreal Maroons	30	9	19	2	45	65	20
Boston Bruins	30	6	24	0	49	119	12

^[16]

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents

1924–25 NHL Records [17]
Team	BOS	HAM	MTL	MTM	OTT	TOR
Boston	—	1–5	2–4	3–3	0–6	0–6
Hamilton	5–1	—	3–3	4–2	3–2–1	4–2
M. Canadiens	4–2	3–3	—	4–0–2	3–3	3–3
M. Maroons	3–3	2–4	0–4–2	—	2–4	2–4
Ottawa	6–0	2–3–1	3–3	4–2	—	2–4
Toronto	6–0	2–4	3–3	4–2	4–2	—

Schedule and results

1924–25 Game Log
December: 1–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0; Road: 0–5–0) # Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Box Score 1 December 1 Maroons 1–2 Boston 1–0–0 2 [18] 2 December 3 Boston 3–5 Toronto 1–1–0 2 [19] 3 December 8 Canadiens 4–3 Boston 1–2–0 2 [20] 4 December 10 Boston 1–7 Hamilton 1–3–0 2 [21] 5 December 15 Ottawa 10–2 Boston 1–4–0 2 [22] 6 December 17 Boston 2–6 Maroons 1–5–0 2 [23] 7 December 22 Toronto 10–1 Boston 1–6–0 2 [24] 8 December 25 Boston 0–5 Canadiens 1–7–0 2 [25] 9 December 29 Boston 1–2 Hamilton 1–8–0 2 [26]
January: 1–9–0 (Home: 0–4–0; Road: 1–5–0) # Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Box Score 10 January 1 Ottawa 5–2 Boston 1–9–0 2 [27] 11 January 3 Maroons 4–3 Boston 1–10–0 2 [28] 12 January 5 Boston 2–3 Toronto 1–11–0 2 [29] 13 January 10 Canadiens 2–3 Boston 2–11–0 4 (OT) [30] 14 January 12 Boston 2–4 Hamilton 2–12–0 4 [31] 15 January 17 Ottawa 3–2 Boston 2–13–0 4 [32] 16 January 20 Boston 0–2 Maroons 2–14–0 4 [33] 17 January 24 Toronto 4–3 Boston 2–15–0 4 [34] 18 January 27 Boston 0–4 Canadiens 2–16–0 4 [35] 19 January 31 Hamilton 8–3 Boston 2–17–0 4 [36]
February: 2–6–0 (Home: 1–3–0; Road: 1–3–0) # Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Box Score 20 February 3 Boston 1–3 Ottawa 2–18–0 4 [37] 21 February 7 Maroons 0–1 Boston 3–18–0 6 [38] 22 February 10 Boston 1–5 Toronto 3–19–0 6 [39] 23 February 14 Canadiens 5–1 Boston 3–20–0 6 [40] 24 February 17 Boston 1–2 Hamilton 3–21–0 6 [41] 25 February 21 Ottawa 3–0 Boston 3–22–0 6 [42] 26 February 24 Boston 2–1 Maroons 4–22–0 8 [43] 27 February 28 Toronto 5–1 Boston 4–23–0 8 [44]
March: 2–1–0 (Home: 1–1–0; Road: 1–0–0) # Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts Box Score 28 March 3 Canadiens 2–3 Boston 5–23–0 10 [45] 29 March 7 Boston 2–0 Hamilton 6–23–0 12 [46] 30 March 9 Ottawa 4–1 Boston 6–24–0 12 [47]

Playoffs

The Bruins did not qualify for the playoffs.

Player statistics

Leading scorers

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

		Regular season						Playoffs					Ref
Player		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Jimmy Herbert		30	17	6	23	53		–	–	–	–	–	[48]
Carson Cooper		12	5	3	8	4		–	–	–	–	–	[49]
Red Stuart		29	5	3	8	32		–	–	–	–	–	[50]
Stan Jackson		24	5	3	8	38		–	–	–	–	–	[51]
George Redding		27	3	2	5	10		–	–	–	–	–	[52]
Smokey Harris		6	3	1	4	8		–	–	–	–	–
Bernie Morris		6	2	0	2	0		–	–	–	–	–
Lionel Hitchman		18	2	0	2	22		–	–	–	–	–
Normand Shay		18	1	1	2	14		–	–	–	–	–
Bobby Rowe		4	1	0	1	0		–	–	–	–	–

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

		Regular season									Playoffs							Ref
Player		GP	Min	W	L	T	GA	SO	GAA		GP	Min	W	L	GA	SO	GAA
Doc Stewart		21	1266	5	16	0	65	2	3.08		–	–	–	–	–	–	–	[53]
Hec Fowler		7	409	1	6	0	42	0	6.16		–	–	–	–	–	–	–	[54]

Transactions

• November 2, 1924 – Acquired Alf Skinner from Vancouver Maroons (PCHA) for cash
• November 2, 1924 – Acquired Bobby Rowe from Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA) for cash
• December 14, 1924 – Acquired Bill "Red" Stuart from Toronto St. Patricks for cash
• December 17, 1924 – Released Bobby Rowe
• December 19, 1924 – Acquired George Carroll from Montreal Maroons for the rights to Ernie Parkes
• December 21, 1924 – Traded Smokey Harris to Vancouver Maroons (WCHL) for cash
• January 3, 1925 – Traded Alf Skinner to Montreal Maroons for Bernie Morris and Bob Benson
• January 10, 1925 – Acquired Lionel Hitchman from the Ottawa Senators for cash
• January 18, 1925 – Traded Stan Jackson to Ottawa Senators for cash

See also

• 1924–25 NHL season

References

1. Hockey Hall of Fame. "Builder Inductees: Charles Adams". Legends of Hockey.
2. Donovan 1997.
3. Marrazza, Dan (June 14, 2016). "How NHL Teams Got Their Names". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
4. Vautour 1997, p. 38.
5. King 2010, p. 29.
6. Hoey, Fred (November 30, 1924). "Bruins Lose First Clash". Boston Globe. Boston.
7. Hoey, Fred (November 30, 1924). "Hockey Practice at Arena Held Up". Boston Globe. Boston.
8. "Hockey Practice at Arena Held Up". Boston Globe. November 30, 1924.
9. Coleman 1964, p. 468.
10. Fischler, Stan (November 30, 2022). "Bruins won first NHL game played in United States in 1924". NHL.com. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
11. Ross 2015, p. 114.
12. Canadian Press (December 9, 1924). "Canadiens Downed Boston, Rallying in Final Period". Montreal Gazette. p. 16.
13. Klein & Reif 1964, p. 56.
14. Fitzpatrick, Katy (October 2, 2009). ""New Season Brings Renovated Arena for Northeastern," USCHO.com, October 2, 2009". Uscho.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
15. "Northeastern University Athletics Official Website". Gonu.com. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
16. Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
17. "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
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19. "Boston Bruins vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: December 3, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
20. "Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: December 8, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
21. "Boston Bruins vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: December 10, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
22. "Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: December 15, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
23. "Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Maroons Box Score: December 17, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
24. "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: December 22, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
25. "Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: December 25, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
26. "Hamilton Tigers vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: December 29, 1924". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
27. "Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 1, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
28. "Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Maroons Box Score: January 3, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
29. "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: January 5, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
30. "Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 10, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
31. "Hamilton Tigers vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: January 12, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
32. "Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 17, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
33. "Montreal Maroons vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: January 20, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
34. "Boston Bruins vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: January 24, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
35. "Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: January 27, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
36. "Boston Bruins vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: January 31, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
37. "Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: February 3, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
38. "Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Maroons Box Score: February 7, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
39. "Toronto St. Patricks vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: February 10, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
40. "Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 14, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
41. "Hamilton Tigers vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: February 17, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
42. "Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 21, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
43. "Montreal Maroons vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: February 24, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
44. "Boston Bruins vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 28, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
45. "Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: March 3, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
46. "Boston Bruins vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: March 7, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
47. "Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins Box Score: March 9, 1925". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
48. "Jimmy Herbert 1924-25 Splits". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
49. "Carson Cooper 1924-25 Splits". Hockey Reference. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
50. "Billy Stuart Stats". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
51. "Stan Jackson Stats". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
52. "George Redding Stats". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
53. "Charles Stewart Stats". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
54. "Hec Fowler Stats". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.

Bibliography

• Coleman, Charles L. (1964). Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol I. Sherbrooke, Quebec: National Hockey League.
• Donovan, Michael Leo (1997). The Name Game. Toronto, Ontario: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780075528173.
• King, Tom (2010). The Legendary Game - Ultimate Hockey Trivia. Trafford Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4269-4379-9.
• Klein, Jeff Z.; Reif, Karl-Eric (1964). The Klein & Reif Hockey Compendium. Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 978-0-7710-4529-5.
• Ross, J. Andrew (2015). Joining the Clubs: The Business of the National Hockey League to 1945. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 9780815633839.
• Vautour, Kevin (1997). The Bruins Book. Toronto, Ontario: ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-334-7.