Steamer Maxwell

Lore & Background

Maxwell earned the nickname "Steamer" for his quick skating ability at rover. He began his senior career in 1909–10 with the Winnipeg Monarchs, appearing in one game. By 1911–12 he scored seven goals in seven games, and the following season he was named team captain. In 1913–14, the Monarchs won city and provincial championships and were granted the Allan Cup. The team initially refused to defend the trophy against the Kenora Thistles after a ruling that Dick Irvin was ineligible, threatening to default rather than play with six men against seven. The game was ultimately played, and Maxwell's speed helped the Monarchs win 6–2. They lost the next challenge to the Regina Victorias 5–4. In 1914–15, the Monarchs repeated as provincial champions and faced the Melville Millionaires in a two-game total-goals Allan Cup final. After losing the first game 4–3, the Monarchs won the second 4–2 to take the series 7–6 and become Allan Cup champions.

Throughout his playing career, Maxwell received offers to turn professional, including $1,500 from the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association and $1,800 from the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. He refused both, preferring to remain an amateur. His commitment to amateurism was so strong that he quit playing after the 1915 Allan Cup when he learned some of his peers at the senior amateur level were being paid. He stated, "When I played, I bought my own skates and boots. When I found out some of the others were getting paid, I quit."

Reader's Guide

After retiring as a player, Maxwell turned to coaching. He spent two seasons with the Winnipeg Monarchs before moving to the Winnipeg Falcons, whom he led to the 1920 Allan Cup with victories over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. That win earned the Falcons the right to represent Canada at the first Olympic ice hockey tournament at the 1920 Summer Games in Antwerp. Although business interests prevented Maxwell from traveling with the team, the International Ice Hockey Federation lists him as the coach for the gold medal-winning Canadians, who outscored opponents 29–1 in three games. Maxwell continued coaching into the 1930s, leading the Winnipeg Rangers, Winnipeg Winnipegs, and Elmwood Millionaires to Manitoba senior championships in 1926, 1927, and 1930 respectively. He briefly coached the Winnipeg Maroons of the American Hockey Association in 1927–28. The Toronto Maple Leafs attempted to hire him in 1931, but owner Conn Smythe chose Dick Irvin after Maxwell insisted on a three-year contract. Maxwell then returned to the Winnipeg Monarchs, leading their junior team to the western Canadian championship in 1931–32, losing the Memorial Cup final to the Sudbury Cub Wolves. He coached the senior Monarchs to the Manitoba championship in 1933–34, and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association invited the team to represent Canada at the 1935 World Championship. Again unable to travel, Maxwell's Monarchs won the World Championship. He also served as a long-time referee in Allan and Memorial Cup playoffs and for professional teams traveling through Western Canada. Maxwell was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962, and is also an honoured member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (inducted 1988).

Did You Know?

• He quit playing hockey after the 1915 Allan Cup because he learned some senior amateur players were being paid.
• Maxwell was listed as the coach of the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the 1920 Olympic ice hockey tournament, though he did not travel to Antwerp.
• He was a partner in a lumber business with fellow Hall of Famer Charlie Gardiner until Gardiner's death in 1934.