Sweeney Schriner
Two-time NHL scoring leader and Stanley Cup champion.
David 'Sweeney' Schriner was a Russian-born Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Americans and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1934–35 and led the NHL in scoring in 1935–36 and 1936–37. Schriner won two Stanley Cup championships with the Maple Leafs, in 1941–42 and 1944–45, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 1962
- Birth Date
- 1911-11-30
- Birth Place
- Saratov, Russian Empire
- Death Date
- 1990-07-04
- Death Place
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 0
- Weight Lb
- 185
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- New York Americans / Toronto Maple Leafs
- League
- NHL
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Schriner was born in Saratov in the Russian Empire, but his family emigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada when he was a month old. He grew up in Calgary, where he played baseball in addition to hockey. His hero was a semi-professional baseball player named Bob Sweeney, whose playing style Schriner emulated, earning the nickname 'L'il Sweeney', later shortened to 'Sweeney'. Schriner preferred his nickname so much that he refused to respond to anyone who addressed him by his given name of David. He learned hockey on Calgary's outdoor rinks and played minor hockey in the city, appearing in the Memorial Cup playdowns with the Calgary Canadians junior team in 1930 and 1931. He later played senior hockey with the Calgary Bronks, leading the Alberta Senior Hockey League in goals and points in 1931–32 and 1932–33.
Reader's Guide
Schriner's significance lies in his being the first Russian-born player in NHL history, though his family emigrated to Canada when he was an infant. He quickly emerged as an offensive star, winning Rookie of the Year in 1934–35 and leading the NHL in scoring in 1935–36 and 1936–37. He was named to honorary all-star teams throughout his career and played in the Howie Morenz Memorial Game in 1937. Schriner was traded from the Americans to the Maple Leafs in May 1939 in an unprecedented five-for-one trade. He was instrumental in Toronto's comeback in the 1942 Stanley Cup Final, scoring the tying and winning goals in the seventh game against the Detroit Red Wings, making the Maple Leafs the first team to overcome a 3–0 series deficit. He won a second Stanley Cup in 1944–45. After multiple retirements and returns, he ended his playing career in 1949. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962, and the Canada West Universities Athletic Association awards the David 'Sweeney' Schriner Trophy to its top scorer each season.
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