1936–37 New York Americans season



The 1936–37 New York Americans season was the Americans' 12th season of play. After qualifying for the playoffs in 1936, the Americans again placed last in the Canadian Division and missed the playoffs for the tenth time in twelve seasons.

Regular Season
The Americans had started in first place, but then their players came down with influenza and the team sagged. Scorer Nels Stewart was acquired from the Boston Bruins and despite scoring a point a game, the Americans continued to slide and won only once in December. On December 29, 1936, defenseman Gord Reid played his only NHL game in the 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers.

Disaster struck during the 7-1 loss on January 5, 1937 to the Rangers when goalie Roy Worters suffered a hernia and had to retire. Tony Hemmerling played his first NHL game during the 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens on January 30, 1937. The next night, goalie Alex Wood played his only NHL game and lost to the Canadiens 3-2. During the 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on February 9, 1937, Frank Beisler played his first NHL game. Beisler would play one more, during the 1939–40 New York Americans season.

Former All-Star goalie Lorne Chabot replaced Worters but after a poor six game performance (his last in the NHL) he was replaced by Alfie Moore.

The Americans best game of the season was on March 18, 1937 against the Chicago Black Hawks. Wilf Field and Pete Leswick both played their first NHL games with Leswick scoring. Sweeney Schriner and Nels Stewart both had a hat trick (as did Chicago's Paul Thompson) as the Americans won 9-4. Field went on to a 215 game NHL career while Leswick would have to wait eight more seasons before playing two games for the 1944–45 Boston Bruins.

Despite the win, the Amerks finished last in the Canadian Division.

Playoffs

 * The Americans did not qualify for the post season.

Regular Season

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Awards and Records

 * NHL Scoring Leader: Sweeney Schriner
 * Sweeney Schriner, Left Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star

Transactions

 * Trade Carl Voss to the Montreal Maroons for Joe Lamb on September 6, 1936.
 * Purchase the loan of Allan Shields from the Maroons on September 15, 1936.
 * Purchase John Gallagher from the Detroit Red Wings on October 7, 1936.
 * Purchase Lorne Chabot from the Maroons on October 22, 1936.
 * Sell John Gallagher to Detroit on November 29, 1936.
 * Trade Walter Kalbfleisch to the Boston Bruins for Ted Graham on December 19, 1936.
 * Purchase Nels Stewart from Boston on December 19, 1936.
 * Trade Tom Cooper, rights to Terry Reardon and loan of Allan Shields to Boston for Joe Jerwa on January 25, 1937.

Trivia

 * Americans who recorded a hat trick this season include:
 * Sweeney Schriner during the 9-4 win over the Chicago Black Hawks on March 18, 1937.
 * Nels Stewart during the 9-4 win over Chicago on March 18, 1937.