1936–37 Chicago Black Hawks season



The 1936–37 Chicago Black Hawks season was the team's 11th season in the NHL. The Black Hawks had their worst season since 1928–29, finishing with only 35 points with a 14–27–7 record, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1932-33. Chicago scored an NHL low 99 goals, and gave up 131 goals, the 2nd highest total in the league.

Regular Season
With five games left to play and his team hopelessly in last place, Chicago owner Frederic McLaughlin decided to try an experiment dear to his heart. He dreamed of the day that an all-American team might be able to compete at NHL calibre. He already had Mike Karakas in goal, but added Ernest Klingbeil and Paul Schaefer on defence, and Milton Brink, a fast skating center, between Al Suomi and Bun LaPrairie. The first test came on March 11 when the Boston Bruins beat the Black Hawks 6-2. None of the new players scored, but Klingbeil and Schaefer were on defence for all Boston goals. This brought complaints from Jack Adams, Lester Patrick and Art Ross who stated that such experiments should not be conducted when the other clubs were battling for playoff spots. But McLaughlin's kids didn't look bad when the Toronto Maple Leafs were lucky to win 3-2 at Maple Leaf Gardens. Klingbeil was the star of the game with a goal. The rookies checked tenaciously and at times were impressive on the attack. 9,600 fans applauded their effort. Then the Black Hawks beat the New York Rangers 3-2 with the Yanks still in the lineup. Lester Patrick had nothing to say except that the attendance had dropped. The experiment was about finished when the New York Americans walloped the Hawks 9-4, as Sweeney Schriner and Nels Stewart each had hat tricks. In a losing cause, Paul Thompson had a hat trick for Chicago.

Paul Thompson led the Hawks offensively, scoring a club high in goals (17) and points (35). Team captain Johnny Gottselig had a team high 21 assists. Pep Kelly, who the Hawks acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs midway through the season, scored 13 goals in 29 games with Chicago after scoring only 2 goals in 16 games with the Leafs. Defenseman Earl Siebert led all defensemen with 9 goals and 15 points, and had a team high 46 penalty minutes.

In goal, Mike Karakas would get all the action, winning 14 games, earning 5 shutouts, and posting a 2.64 GAA.

The Black Hawks failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1933, as they finished in the cellar of the American Division, 12 points behind the 3rd place New York Rangers.

Playoffs

 * The Black Hawks did not qualify for the playoffs.

Awards and Records

 * Earl Seibert, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star