Art Ross
Player, coach, GM, and innovator of the hockey puck.
Arthur Howey Ross was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and executive whose career spanned from 1905 to 1954. He is notable as one of the first defenders to skate with the puck up the ice, as a two-time Stanley Cup champion as a player, and as the first coach and general manager of the Boston Bruins, leading them to three Stanley Cup victories.
Quick Facts
- Played For
- Montreal Wanderers / Ottawa Hockey Club / Haileybury Comets / Brandon Wheat City / Kenora Thistles
- Position
- Point/Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 11
- Weight Lb
- 190
- Birth Date
- 1885-01-13
- Birth Place
- Naughton, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 5 August 1964 · 1885 · 1 · 13
- Death Place
- Medford, Massachusetts, US
- Career Start
- 1905
- Career End
- 1918
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ross began his playing career in 1905 with Montreal Westmount of the Canadian Amateur Hockey League. He was regarded by peers as one of the best defenders of his era, pioneering the tactic of skating the puck up the ice rather than passing it to a forward. He won the Stanley Cup in January 1907 with the Kenora Thistles and in 1908 with the Montreal Wanderers, becoming the second player to win the Cup with different teams in consecutive years. In 1911, 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, Ross became head coach of the Hamilton Tigers for one season. In 1924, he was hired as the first coach and general manager of the Boston Bruins, a role he held until 1954, coaching the team on three occasions until 1945. Under his leadership, the Bruins finished first in the league ten times and won the Stanley Cup three times, with Ross personally coaching two of those victories. He became an American citizen in 1938 and died near Boston in 1964.
Reader's Guide
Ross's significance extends beyond his playing and coaching achievements. He created a style of hockey puck still used today and advocated for an improved style of goal nets that lasted forty years. In 1947, he donated the Art Ross Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's leading scorer. His innovations in equipment and his trophy have had a lasting impact on the game. As a player, he was a pioneer in rushing the puck, changing how defenders approached offense. As an executive, he built the Boston Bruins into a dominant franchise, finishing first in the league ten times and winning three Stanley Cups. His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1949 recognized his multifaceted contributions as a player, coach, general manager, and inventor.
Did You Know?
- He led one of the first organized player strikes in 1911 over increased pay.
- He donated the Art Ross Trophy in 1947, awarded to the NHL's leading scorer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Art Ross?
Arthur Howey Ross (1885–1964) was a Canadian hockey player and executive whose career stretched from 1905 to 1954. He is best known for serving as the Boston Bruins' first coach and general manager, a role he held from 1924 until 1954.
What was Art Ross's role with the Boston Bruins?
Ross was the inaugural coach and general manager of the Bruins, guiding the franchise through its formative years and leading it to three Stanley Cup championships. He remained with the organization for three full decades, from 1924 to 1954.
How did Art Ross change the way hockey was played?
As a defender, Ross was among the first players to carry the puck up the ice rather than simply clearing it, a technique that helped transform the position from purely defensive to more offensive. This innovation contributed to the evolution of the modern two-way defenseman.
How many Stanley Cups did Art Ross win in total?
Ross captured two Stanley Cups during his playing career (1905–1918) and added three more as the Bruins' coach and general manager, for a combined total of five championships.
When and where did Art Ross die?
Arthur Howey Ross passed away on August 5, 1964, in the Boston area, roughly a decade after his long tenure with the Bruins came to an end.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Builders and Executives, Part 3 1-24
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