1940–41 New York Americans season



The 1940–41 New York Americans season was the Americans' 16th season of play. The Americans finished last in the league and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Pre-season
The Americans played a six game series against the New York Rangers in western Canada:


 * Saturday, October 19 Rangers 5 Americans 2 @ Winnipeg
 * Tuesday, October 22 Americans 5 Rangers 2 @ Regina
 * Thursday, October 24 Rangers 7 Americans 1 @ Saskatoon
 * Saturday, October 26 Americans 4 Rangers 3 @ Regina
 * Monday, October 28 Americans 3 Rangers 2 @ Winnipeg
 * Wednesday, October 30 Rangers 5 Americans 3 @ Port Arthur

The series was split at 3 wins each.

Regular Season
Boston Bruins coach Cooney Weiland adjusted his defense pairs while Eddie Wiseman moved to Bill Cowley's line and Mel Hill to Herb Cain's. The adjustments bore immediate fruit against the Americans on December 1, 1940. Eddie Wiseman took it to his old team and had a natural hat trick to start the game, all assisted by Bill Cowley. The Americans tied it up 3-3 going into the third period before the Bruins had one of the best period in their history, led by Cowley. A seven goal explosion, led by Cowley's pair and an assist as well as Woody Dumart's first two goals of the season saw the Bruins thump the Americans 10-3. It was the first six point game for a player in Bruins history. In the rematch two nights later, Cowley moved into first place in the league scoring race with 2 goals and an assist as the Bruins beat the Americans 6-2.

During the game on February 23, 1941, after receiving a legal check from the Bruins Dit Clapper, defenseman Pat Egan slid into the boards, fractured his ankle and missed the remainder of the season.

During the February 28, 1941 game versus the Detroit Red Wings, Americans goalie Chuck Rayner was hurt with a little over seven minutes remaining in the game. Defenseman Andy Branigan filled in for Rayner and did not allow any goals. The Red Wings won 5-4.

Playoffs

 * The Americans did not qualify for the post season.

Regular Season

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Awards and Records

 * The Americans did not win any awards this season.

Farm Teams

 * Springfield Indians, American Hockey League
 * Seattle Olympics, Pacific Coast Hockey League

Transactions

 * Trade Jack Howard and loan Peanuts O'Flaherty to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Clarence Drouillard on January 17, 1941.

Trivia

 * No Americans recorded a hat trick this season.