1924–25 Montreal Maroons season



The 1924–25 Montreal Maroons season was the 1st season of the new Maroons franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). The club finished 5th in the league and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Off-season
GM James Strachan made two significant acquisitions just before the season began, purchasing former scoring champion Punch Broadbent and goalie Clint Benedict. Benedict had won three Stanley Cups with the Ottawa Senators but after a public scandal involving his alcoholism, was deemed expendable. Benedict turned his career and life around with the Maroons and was their starting keeper for six seasons. Broadbent led the team in scoring in 1924-25.

Regular Season
Strachan unsuccessfully tried to secure the rights to use the name "Wanderers" for the team so the club was known by its official name, the "Montreal Professional Hockey Club." The media dubbed the team "Maroons" after their jersey colour. The inaugural jerseys were very plain, with a simple white stripe on the arms and body with "MONTREAL" emblazoned on the front.

The Maroons played their first game on December 1, 1924, losing 2-1 at Boston against the Boston Bruins with Chuck Dinsmore scoring the first goal in franchise history. Sammy Rothschild played his first NHL game during this match, becoming the first Jewish player in NHL history. On December 3, 1924 the Maroons played their first home game at the Montreal Forum, which was specifically built for them.

The Maroons were competitive in their first year and regularly sold out the Forum. The players were well compensated and largely supported by Montreal's anglophile community. They developed a healthy rivalry with the cross-town Montreal Canadiens, who were largely Francophone supported. The Canadiens got the better of the Maroons this season, going undefeated against them.

On January 7, 1925, Punch Broadbent had a five goal game during the 7-1 win over the Hamilton Tigers.

By January 20, 1925, the Maroons were in a fight for a playoff spot, tied with the Canadiens and Ottawa Senators for second place in the league. However, they had a disastrous end to the season, winning only once in their last fourteen games to finish second last in the league and miss the playoffs. Goalie Clint Benedict finished in the top three of league goals against average which he'd continue to do for the next two seasons.

Playoffs

 * The Maroons did not qualify for the post season.

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

MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts

Awards and Records

 * The Maroons did not win any awards this season.

Transactions

 * Purchase Clint Benedict and Punch Broadbent from the Ottawa Senators on October 20, 1924.
 * Purchase Reg Noble from the Toronto St. Patricks on December 9, 1924.
 * Trade George Carroll to the Boston Bruins for Ernie Parkes on December 19, 1924.
 * Trade Robert Benson and Bernie Morris to Boston for Alf Skinner on January 3, 1925.

Trivia

 * Punch Broadbent had a five goal game during the 7-1 win over the Hamilton Tigers on January 7, 1925.