Art Ross

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ross played for several teams and leagues, noted for his time with the Montreal Wanderers in the NHA and NHL. In 1910, he led one of the first organized player strikes over increased pay. After the Wanderers' arena burned down in January 1918, the team ceased operations and Ross retired as a player. After several years as an on-ice official, he was named head coach of the Hamilton Tigers for one season. When the Boston Bruins were formed in 1924, Ross was hired as the first coach and general manager. He later coached the team on three occasions until 1945, and stayed as general manager until his retirement in 1954. Ross helped the Bruins finish first place in the league eight times and win the Stanley Cup three times; he personally coached the team to two of those victories. He became an American citizen in 1938 and died near Boston in 1964.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Ross's career is defined by pivotal moments of confrontation and innovation. In February 1911, during a match against the Quebec Bulldogs, Ross knocked out Eddie Oatman, sparking a massive brawl that required police intervention, cementing his reputation as a player unwilling to back down. A few years prior, in January 1907, he accepted a $1,000 payment from the Kenora Thistles to play against the Montreal Wanderers, helping them win the Stanley Cup despite failing to score personally; he was warmly received by the Montreal crowd despite playing for the opposition. His managerial tenure with the Boston Bruins began in 1924, and by 1938, having moved his family to a Boston suburb, he became an American citizen.

Reader's Guide

Ross created a style of hockey puck still used today, and advocated an improved style of goal nets, a change that lasted forty years. In 1947, he donated the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the leading scorer of the NHL regular season. Ross was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1949.

Did You Know?

• Ross was one of the first defenders to skate the puck up the ice rather than pass it to a forward.
• He won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Wanderers in March 1907 and again in 1908.
• Ross led one of the first organized player strikes in hockey, in 1910, over increased pay.
• He donated the Art Ross Trophy in 1947, awarded to the NHL's leading scorer.

Pioneering Defensive Play and Stanley Cup Success

Ross was one of the first defenders to skate with the puck up the ice instead of passing it. He won the Stanley Cup twice: in January 1907 with the Kenora Thistles, where he was paid $1,000 to play but did not score, and in 1908 with the Montreal Wanderers. With the Wanderers in the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association (ECAHA), he scored eight goals in ten games as they retained the Cup against challenges from Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Toronto. This made him the second player to win the Cup with different teams in consecutive years.

Labor Activism and Early Career Transitions

In 1911, Ross led one of the first organized player strikes over increased pay. His playing career spanned thirteen seasons across various leagues before ending when the Montreal Wanderers' home arena burned down in January 1918, causing the team to cease operations. After retiring as a player, he worked as an on-ice official for several years and served one season as head coach of the Hamilton Tigers.

Architect of the Boston Bruins Dynasty

When the Boston Bruins were formed in 1924, Ross was hired as their first coach and general manager. He coached the team on three occasions until 1945 and stayed as general manager until his retirement in 1954. Under his leadership, the Bruins finished first place in the league ten times and won the Stanley Cup three times; Ross personally coached the team to two of those victories. After joining the Bruins, he moved with his wife and two sons to a suburb of Boston and became an American citizen in 1938.

Lasting Impact on Equipment and Awards

Ross created a style of hockey puck still used today and advocated for improved goal nets, a change that lasted forty years. In 1947, he donated the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the leading scorer of the NHL regular season. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1949 and died near Boston in 1964.