1953–54 NHL season

The 1953–54 NHL season marked the league's 37th year, with six clubs each skating a 70-game schedule. The Detroit Red Wings captured their sixth championship by beating the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Off the ice, NHL team owners moved to terminate their professional-amateur pact with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA). The Canadian Press reported the owners wanted to safeguard their investments in amateur teams and boost financial returns. The NHL proposed a new national junior playoff format limited to league-sponsored teams, replacing the traditional Memorial Cup. CAHA president W. B. George fired back, predicting the NHL would not survive three years without the CAHA and warning the move would end the three-game tryout system for amateurs with pro clubs.

By August 1953, the two sides reached an agreement in principle that restored east–west junior player transfers and increased profit shares for NHL-sponsored junior teams. At the semi-annual meeting, the CAHA agreed to distribute playoff funds proportionally per series, but rejected the request to resume west-to-east transfers.

In goal, the New York Rangers benched Gump Worsley and turned to Johnny Bower. Bower played well but couldn't push the Rangers into the playoffs. The team did find a standout rookie in Camille Henry, who won the Calder Memorial Trophy.

On December 9, the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs set a record for most penalties in a game at Maple Leaf Gardens. The trouble began in the first period when Montreal's Eddie Mazur fought Toronto's George Armstrong, earning both game misconducts. Early in the second period, Bud MacPherson broke his stick over Ron Stewart's ribs. Stewart waited until 18:12 of the third period to retaliate, sparking a brawl.

Tom Johnson put Stewart in a headlock; Stewart punched Johnson in the jaw. Stewart then tangled with Eric Nesterenko, and soon both benches emptied. Only Maurice Richard and Tim Horton held back, grabbing each other's sweaters. Referee Frank Udvari handed out 36 penalties, including 15 misconducts, totaling 204 minutes.

With under two minutes left, just eight skaters per team (excluding goalies Gerry McNeil and Harry Lumley, who had also fought) were allowed to finish. Toronto won 3–0.

Rumors persisted that the Chicago Black Hawks might fold due to poor play and sparse crowds. NHL president Clarence Campbell discussed the situation with owner Arthur M. Wirtz, and the league announced the rumors were baseless.

Campbell spent the season issuing fines and suspensions. After pushing referee Udvari into the boards on November 12, Bernie Geoffrion was fined $250. On December 20, Geoffrion and Ron Murphy swung their sticks at each other, leaving Murphy with a broken jaw; both were suspended. Maurice Richard stirred trouble by ghostwriting an article in Samedi Dimanche that called Campbell a dictator and criticized the Geoffrion suspension. Richard was ordered to post a $1,000 bond and stop writing such pieces.

Gordie Howe recorded what later became known as a Gordie Howe hat trick twice this season. On October 11, 1953, he scored a goal, assisted on Red Kelly's goal, and fought Toronto's Fernie Flaman. On March 21, 1954, again against the Maple Leafs, he scored the opening goal, assisted on two Ted Lindsay goals, and fought Ted "Teeder" Kennedy.

The Detroit Red Wings finished first overall for the sixth straight season.

In the playoffs, after the Boston Bruins lost four straight to Montreal, general manager Art Ross—who had run the team since its NHL debut—announced his retirement. He had groomed Lynn Patrick as his successor, and Patrick took over.

The top four teams qualified for the playoffs. In the semifinals, first place faced third, and second played fourth, with winners advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. Both rounds were best-of-seven series.

Semifinals: (1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs; (2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) Boston Bruins. The Finals pitted Detroit against Montreal.

The James Norris Memorial Trophy debuted this season, awarded to the top defenceman. Its first winner was Detroit's Red Kelly. The trophy honored James E. Norris, who owned the Red Wings from 1932 until his death in 1952.

Scoring leaders: GP, G, A, Pts, PIM. Leading goaltenders: GP, Min, GA, GAA, W, L, T, SO.

Coaches: Boston Bruins – Lynn Patrick; Chicago Black Hawks – Sid Abel; Detroit Red Wings – Tommy Ivan; Montreal Canadiens – Dick Irvin; New York Rangers – Frank Boucher; Toronto Maple Leafs – King Clancy.