Art Ross
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Arthur Howie Ross (January 13, 1886 - August 5, 1964) was a Canadian ice hockey executive and defenceman in the National Hockey League and its predecessor, the National Hockey Association.
Born in Naughton, Ontario, Ross grew up in Montreal where he learned to play hockey. He played in the NHA for Haileybury, Ottawa and for the Montreal Wanderers throughout eight seasons. He won two Stanley Cups: in 1907 with the Kenora Thistles and the next season with the Wanderers.
He was a fearless and rugged defenceman and never shied away from a fight. One of his most legendary was with Minnie McGiffen of the Toronto Blueshirts in which both players were arrested for assault and referee Cooper Smeaton almost got arrested
When the Wanderers joined the newly created NHL for the inaugural 1917-18 NHL season, Ross only played three games before a fire destroyed the Wanderers' arena, forcing the team to fold.
Ross coached the Hamilton Tigers for a time unsuccessfully, and then was then named the Boston Bruins first head coach for the 1924-25 NHL season, winning three more Cups. He was then promoted to become the team's general manager.
He had a habit of insulting other governors. In 1936-37, he chose Red Dutton of the New York Americans as his target. Dutton held his anger until James Norris of Detroit interceded to make peace. Unfortunately, Ross was throwing a punch and Norris took it. Dutton then proceeded to pummel Ross until Ross had a broken nose, a fractured cheekbone and had lost some teeth.
Ross was named one of twelve Hockey Hall of Fame chartered honourees in 1945. He was inducted as a builder.
Ross is credited as being the first to promote the use of hockey pucks made of synthetic rubber instead of natural rubber which provides for more consistant play.
Ross also invented the modern B-shaped goal which cuts down on dangerous rebounds coming out of the net.
He donated the trophy which bears his name to the NHL.
| Preceded by: Richard 'Dickie' Boon | Head Coaches of the Montreal Wanderers 1913-1914 | Succeeded by: Richard 'Dickie' Boon |
| Preceded by: Ricahrd 'Dickie' Boon | Head Coaches of the Montreal Wanderers 1917-1918 | Succeeded by: none |
| Preceded by: Percy Thompson | Head Coaches of the Hamilton Tigers 1922-1923 | Succeeded by: Percy LeSueur |
| Preceded by: none | Head Coaches of the Boston Bruins 1924-1928 | Succeeded by: Cy Denneny |
| Preceded by: Cy Denneny | Head Coaches of the Boston Bruins 1929-1934 | Succeeded by: Frank Patrick |
| Preceded by: Frank Patrick | Head Coaches of the Boston Bruins 1936-1939 | Succeeded by: Cooney Weiland |
| Preceded by: Cooney Weiland | Head Coaches of the Boston Bruins 1941-1945 | Succeeded by: Dit Clapper |
External link
- Hockey Hall of Fame (http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?type=Player&mem=P194510&list=ByName#photo)
