Marty Barry
Two-time Stanley Cup champion and Lady Byng Trophy winner.
Martin James Barry (December 8, 1905 – August 20, 1969) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who suited up for the New York Americans, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League from 1927 to 1940. A consistent top scorer, Barry helped the Red Wings capture the Stanley Cup in 1936 and netted the decisive goal in the 1937 championship series. That same season, he received the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and earned a spot on the NHL’s First All-Star Team. He was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965.
Born in Quebec City but raised in Montreal, Barry earned the nickname “goal-a-game Barry” during his amateur days. After being overlooked by both the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Maroons, he signed with the New York Americans in 1927. He played only nine NHL games that season, scoring once, while spending most of the year in the Canadian-American Hockey League with the Philadelphia Arrows. The following season, with the New Haven Eagles, he led the Can-Am League in goals (19) and points (29), edging out Art Chapman for the scoring title on the final day.
The Boston Bruins claimed Barry in the 1929 Intra-League Draft, and he missed just two games over the next ten seasons. In 1929–30, he posted 18 goals and 33 points for a Bruins team that set an NHL record with 38 wins in a 44-game schedule. He added three playoff goals as Boston eliminated the Montreal Maroons, though the Canadiens defeated them in the 1930 Stanley Cup Final. Barry quickly became one of Boston’s top offensive threats, averaging 23 goals per season over six years. He served as team captain in 1933, led the Bruins in goals for three straight seasons (1931–1934), and topped the team in points three times between 1932 and 1935. He finished seventh in NHL scoring in 1932–33, fourth in 1933–34, and eighth in 1934–35.
A controversial overtime goal by Barry sparked the first forfeit in NHL history on March 14, 1933. During a 10-minute overtime period, Barry scored for Boston against the Chicago Black Hawks. Enraged Chicago coach Tommy Gorman punched referee Bill Stewart, who called police to remove Gorman from the bench. The Black Hawks refused to continue without their coach, and the game was forfeited to Boston.
On June 30, 1935, the Bruins traded Barry and Art Giroux to the Detroit Red Wings for Cooney Weiland and Walt Buswell.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 0
- Weight Lb
- 195
- Played For
- New York Americans / Boston Bruins / Detroit Red Wings / Montreal Canadiens
- Birth Date
- 1905-12-08
- Birth Place
- Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Death Date
- 1969-08-20
- Death Place
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Career Start
- 1927
- Career End
- 1941
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Barry grew up in Montreal and earned the nickname 'goal-a-game Barry' in amateur hockey. Both the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Maroons passed him over, so he signed with the New York Americans in 1927. He made his NHL debut in 1927–28 and spent most of that season in the Canadian-American Hockey League. In 1928–29, he led the Can-Am League in goals (19) and points (29), winning the scoring title on the final day. The Boston Bruins claimed him in the Intra-League Draft in May 1929, and he missed only two games in the following ten seasons. Barry rapidly developed into one of Boston's top offensive threats, averaging 23 goals per season in his six years with the team. He was named team captain in 1933 and led the Bruins in goals for three consecutive seasons between 1931 and 1934. A disputed overtime goal by Barry caused the first ever NHL forfeit on March 14, 1933, when Chicago coach Tommy Gorman punched referee Bill Stewart and the Black Hawks refused to continue. Barry was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on June 30, 1935, and centred a high-scoring line with Herbie Lewis and Larry Aurie. In the 1936 playoffs, he played in the longest game in NHL history, a 1–0 victory over the Montreal Maroons that required six overtime periods. He scored the Cup-clinching goal in 1937 and led all players in playoff goals (4), assists (7) and points (11). After a short stint with Montreal, he finished his career as player-coach for the Minneapolis Millers in 1940–41.
Reader's Guide
Barry's significance lies in his consistent scoring and key contributions to two Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings. He was among the NHL's leading scorers multiple times, finishing as high as second in points in 1935–36 and fourth in 1938–39. His 195 goals and 387 points in 509 NHL games reflect his offensive skill, and he was regarded as one of the league's best playmakers. The Lady Byng Trophy in 1936–37 recognized his gentlemanly play, and he was named to the NHL First All-Star team that same season. After his playing career, Barry coached junior and senior teams in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for many years, winning Maritime championships and reaching the eastern final of the 1947 Memorial Cup. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965 and was an original inductee of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1964. In 2023, he was named one of the top 100 Bruins players of all time.
Did You Know?
- Barry scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 1937 for the Detroit Red Wings.
- Barry played in the longest game in NHL history, a six-overtime playoff victory in 1936.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players 1-24
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