Reg Noble

Lore & Background

Noble enlisted in February 1916 with the 180th Battalion (Sportsmen) to serve in the First World War but was medically discharged that September due to a previous foot injury—a cut tendon in his right foot—that prevented prolonged marching. He never went overseas. His professional career began with the Toronto Blueshirts in 1916–17, but the club was suspended by the league, and he was assigned to the Montreal Canadiens for the remainder of that season. The following year, the new NHL assigned the Toronto franchise to the Toronto Arena owners, and Noble signed with the team. Despite ownership difficulties and personnel changes, the Blueshirts won the NHL title and defeated Vancouver for the Stanley Cup. Noble remained with the franchise as it became the Arenas and later the St. Pats, serving as playing coach and captain during the 1922 Stanley Cup win. He was traded to the Montreal Maroons in the 1924–25 season, and the Maroons won the Stanley Cup in 1926. In 1927 he was traded to the new Detroit franchise (then named the Falcons), playing six seasons before returning to the Maroons by trade in 1932–33. He retired with 181 goals in 536 games in the NHA and NHL.

Reader's Guide

Reg Noble's career spanned the transition from the NHA to the NHL, and he holds the distinction of being the last active player from the NHL's inaugural season, the NHA, and the 1910s. His 17 professional seasons included stints with seven different franchises, reflecting the league's early instability and frequent player movement. Noble won the Stanley Cup three times: with the Toronto Arenas in 1918, the Toronto St. Pats in 1922 (a season in which he served as playing coach and captain), and the Montreal Maroons in 1926. After retiring, he worked as an NHL referee from 1937 to 1939. He died of a heart attack on January 19, 1962, and was inducted posthumously into the Hockey Hall of Fame later that same year. His career statistics show 181 goals in 536 combined NHA and NHL games, though the article does not provide assist or point totals. His legacy is tied to his longevity and his role in multiple championship teams during the early decades of professional hockey.

Did You Know?

• He won the Stanley Cup three times: with Toronto (1918), Toronto St. Pats (1922), and Montreal Maroons (1926).
• After retiring, he worked as an NHL referee between 1937 and 1939.