1938–39 Chicago Black Hawks | |
Division | 7th NHL |
---|---|
1938–39 record | 12–28–8 |
Home record | 5–13–6 |
Road record | 7–15–2 |
Goals for | 91 |
Goals against | 132 |
Team information | |
General manager | Frederic McLaughlin |
Coach | Bill Stewart (8–10–3) Paul Thompson (4–18–5) |
Captain | Johnny Gottselig |
Arena | Chicago Stadium |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Johnny Gottselig (16) |
Assists | Johnny Gottselig (23) |
Points | Johnny Gottselig (39) |
Penalty minutes | Earl Siebert (57) |
Wins | Mike Karakas (12) |
Goals against average | Mike Karakas (2.65) |
The 1938–39 Chicago Black Hawks season was the team's 13th season in the NHL. The Black Hawks finished last in the league and did not qualify for the playoffs.
Regular Season[]

Turk Broda fights off the Black Hawks in the 1938-39 season.
Prior to the season, the Montreal Maroons announced they would be folding, leaving the NHL with seven teams, thus eliminating the need for divisions. The Black Hawks got off to a mediocre start, and after going 8–10–3, they dismissed head coach Bill Stewart and replaced him with player-coach Paul Thompson. The Hawks struggled under Thompson, going 4–18–5, and finished in last place in the NHL, missing the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years. Chicago had problems scoring goals, getting an NHL low 91 goals, while they gave up the 3rd most goals at 132.
During the second game of the season, on November 5, 1938 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Bill Shill suffered a dislocated vertebrae and missed 20 games.[1]

Mike Karakas and Frank Brimsek with their mothers, February 5, 1939.
Boston Bruins defenseman Jack Shewchuk was recalled and played in the February 5 match against Chicago. Before the game, goalies Frank Brimsek and Mike Karakas, who both grew up in Eveleth, Minnesota, presented their mothers with flowers. Mrs. Brimsek enjoyed the game more than Mrs. Karakas as the Bruins blanked the Black Hawks 3-0, giving Brimsek his 8th shutout.
Team captain Johnny Gottselig led the team offensively, getting team highs in goals (16), assists (23) and points (39). Joffre Desilets and Mush March would be the only other Hawks with double digit goals, with 11 and 10 goals respectively. Earl Siebert anchored the defense, scoring 15 points and had a team high 57 penalty minutes.
In goal, Mike Karakas was the starter, winning 12 games, earning 5 shutouts, and posting a GAA of 2.65.
A year after their unexpected Stanley Cup championship, the Black Hawks became the only team in the league to miss the playoffs, as they finished 7 points behind the 6th place team, the Montreal Canadiens.
Final Standings[]
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston Bruins | 48 | 36 | 10 | 2 | 156 | 76 | 74 |
New York Rangers | 48 | 26 | 16 | 6 | 149 | 105 | 58 |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 48 | 19 | 20 | 9 | 114 | 107 | 47 |
New York Americans | 48 | 17 | 21 | 10 | 119 | 157 | 44 |
Detroit Red Wings | 48 | 18 | 24 | 6 | 107 | 128 | 42 |
Montreal Canadiens | 48 | 15 | 24 | 9 | 115 | 146 | 39 |
Chicago Black Hawks | 48 | 12 | 28 | 8 | 91 | 132 | 32 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Game Log[]
# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record | Pts |
1 | November 3 | New York Americans | 1–6 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–0–0 | 2 |
2 | November 5 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–0 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2–0–0 | 4 |
3 | November 6 | Chicago Black Hawks | 3–2 | Montreal Canadiens | 3–0–0 | 6 |
4 | November 13 | Montreal Canadiens | 3–4 | Chicago Black Hawks | 4–0–0 | 8 |
5 | November 17 | New York Rangers | 1–0 | Chicago Black Hawks | 4–1–0 | 8 |
6 | November 20 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 4–1–1 | 9 |
7 | November 24 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–4 | Detroit Red Wings | 4–2–1 | 9 |
8 | November 26 | Chicago Black Hawks | 4–6 | New York Americans | 4–3–1 | 9 |
9 | November 27 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–0 | New York Rangers | 5–3–1 | 11 |
10 | December 1 | Detroit Red Wings | 4–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 5–4–1 | 11 |
11 | December 4 | Boston Bruins | 5–0 | Chicago Black Hawks | 5–5–1 | 11 |
12 | December 6 | Chicago Black Hawks | 0–2 | Boston Bruins | 5–6–1 | 11 |
13 | December 10 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–4 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 5–7–1 | 11 |
14 | December 11 | New York Americans | 0–4 | Chicago Black Hawks | 6–7–1 | 13 |
15 | December 15 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 4–4 | Chicago Black Hawks | 6–7–2 | 14 |
16 | December 18 | New York Rangers | 0–5 | Chicago Black Hawks | 7–7–2 | 16 |
17 | December 22 | Detroit Red Wings | 3–3 | Chicago Black Hawks | 7–7–3 | 17 |
18 | December 25 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–5 | New York Americans | 7–8–3 | 17 |
19 | December 27 | Chicago Black Hawks | 4–1 | Montreal Canadiens | 8–8–3 | 19 |
20 | December 29 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–4 | Detroit Red Wings | 8–9–3 | 19 |
21 | January 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 4–3 | Chicago Black Hawks | 8–10–3 | 19 |
22 | January 5 | Boston Bruins | 2–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 8–11–3 | 19 |
23 | January 8 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 0–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 9–11–3 | 21 |
24 | January 10 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–3 | Boston Bruins | 9–12–3 | 21 |
25 | January 12 | Chicago Black Hawks | 0–6 | New York Rangers | 9–13–3 | 21 |
26 | January 14 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–3 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 9–14–3 | 21 |
27 | January 15 | New York Rangers | 1–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 9–14–4 | 22 |
28 | January 22 | New York Americans | 1–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 9–14–5 | 23 |
29 | January 26 | Detroit Red Wings | 1–0 | Chicago Black Hawks | 9–15–5 | 23 |
30 | January 29 | Montreal Canadiens | 1–0 | Chicago Black Hawks | 9–16–5 | 23 |
31 | January 31 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–3 | New York Rangers | 9–17–5 | 23 |
32 | February 2 | Chicago Black Hawks | 4–2 | Montreal Canadiens | 10–17–5 | 25 |
33 | February 5 | Boston Bruins | 3–0 | Chicago Black Hawks | 10–18–5 | 25 |
34 | February 7 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–2 | New York Americans | 10–18–6 | 26 |
35 | February 9 | Chicago Black Hawks | 4–2 | Detroit Red Wings | 11–18–6 | 28 |
36 | February 16 | Detroit Red Wings | 1–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 11–18–7 | 29 |
37 | February 19 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 4–3 | Chicago Black Hawks | 11–19–7 | 29 |
38 | February 21 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–8 | Boston Bruins | 11–20–7 | 29 |
39 | February 23 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–3 | New York Americans | 11–21–7 | 29 |
40 | February 26 | Boston Bruins | 5–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 11–22–7 | 29 |
41 | March 2 | Chicago Black Hawks | 3–1 | New York Rangers | 12–22–7 | 31 |
42 | March 4 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–1 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 12–22–8 | 32 |
43 | March 5 | Montreal Canadiens | 2–1 | Chicago Black Hawks | 12–23–8 | 32 |
44 | March 9 | New York Rangers | 8–3 | Chicago Black Hawks | 12–24–8 | 32 |
45 | March 12 | New York Americans | 3–2 | Chicago Black Hawks | 12–25–8 | 32 |
46 | March 14 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–4 | Boston Bruins | 12–26–8 | 32 |
47 | March 16 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1–5 | Montreal Canadiens | 12–27–8 | 32 |
48 | March 19 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–3 | Detroit Red Wings | 12–28–8 | 32 |
Playoffs[]
- The Black Hawks did not qualify for the playoffs.
Player Stats[]
Scoring Leaders[]
Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Johnny Gottselig | 48 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 15 |
Joffre Desilets | 48 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 28 |
Mush March | 47 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 29 |
Cully Dahlstrom | 48 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 2 |
Bill Thoms | 36 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 16 |
Earl Robertson | 48 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 13 |
Paul Thompson | 33 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 33 |
Earl Seibert | 48 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 57 |
Goaltending[]
Player | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | SO | GAA |
Mike Karakas | 48 | 2988 | 12 | 28 | 8 | 132 | 5 | 2.65 |
Awards and Records[]
- Earl Seibert, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star
Transactions[]
Trivia[]
- Black Hawks who recorded a Hat trick this season include:
- Johnny Gottselig during the 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on November 13, 1938.
Gallery[]
Video[]
A minute worth of footage from the home opener of the Black Hawks which they won over the New York Americans 6-1. First period goals by Cully Dahlstrom and Johnny Gottselig are shown.
See Also[]
References[]
- ↑ Boston Globe, p.11, November 8, 1938.
- National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
External Links[]
Chicago Blackhawks Seasons | |
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Chicago Blackhawks | |
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Franchise • Players • Coaches • GMs • Seasons • Records • Draft Picks • United Center • Rockford IceHogs • Indy Fuel |
1938–39 NHL season by team | |
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Teams | Boston • Chicago • Detroit • Montreal Canadiens • NY Americans • NY Rangers • Toronto |
See also | 1939 Stanley Cup Finals |