Howie Morenz

Born in Mitchell, Ontario, Hwarth William "Howie" Morenz was known as "The Mitchell Meteror" in his youth, for his hometown and his amazing speed on the ice. It was said that he also demonstrated advanced hockey skills at a young age. Although Morenz signed a contract with the Montreal Canadiens, in a letter, he said he was sorry and could not play for the Canadiens. When asked why, Morenz felt that he wasn't good enough for the Habs. Through Leo Dandurand's convincing, Morenz reported to Montreal's training camp, making his his rookie debut in the 1923-24 season and embarked on a fourteen year career in the National Hockey League. While with the Canadiens, Morenz was paired with Auel Joliat, in what is considered as one of the most popular lines ever known. Later known as "The Stratford Streak" once again for his blinding speed. One goaltender described Morenz not as number 7, but 777 because he was nothing more than a blur. In his fourteen year career, Morenz was named the most valuable player in 1923, 1928 and 1931. In addition, he helped the Habs to two consecutive Stanley Cup WIns in 1930 and 1931. Howie's speed started to take a downturn and he found himself in a Chicago Black Hawks uniform in the 1934-35 and part of the 1935-36 seasons and then was traded to the New York Rangers in the last part of the 1935-36 season. The next season, Howie was brought "home", back to the Montreal Canadiens and was reunited with Aurel Joliat, but his career came to an end in a game with the Chicago Black Hawks on January 28, 1937, when his leg was broken in four places when Morenz's skate blade was lodged into the end boards and was checked by Earl Siebert. While in the hospital, it was said that Morenz tearfully confided to Joliat, that without hockey, life would not be worth living. He died shortly after that. It's been said that Morenz died of a virus, his body was not able to fight off and others said he died of a broken heart. After Morenz died, his body was lay in state at center ice in the Montreal Forum and 50,000 filed past his casket to pay their respects and in addition, a quarter of a million lined the streets of Montreal to Morenz's route to his final resting spot. Morenz was inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945, in the first year it was established and was chosen as the outstanding hockey player in the first half of the century in a national press poll in 1950.