- Frank Finnigan
Infobox Ice Hockey Player
played_for = Ottawa Senators (NHL )Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)St. Louis Eagles (NHL)
position = Right Wing
shoots = Right
height_ft = 5
height_in = 9
weight_lb = 165
nickname = Shawville Express
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date|1903|07|09
birth_place =Shawville, Quebec
death_date = death date and age|1991|12|25|1903|07|09
death_place =Ottawa, Ontario
career_start = 1923
career_end = 1937Frank Arthur Finnigan (
July 9 ,1903 inShawville, Quebec -December 25 ,1991 ) was a Canadianice hockey forward who played in theNational Hockey League from 1923 to 1937. During this time, he played for the Ottawa Senators,Toronto Maple Leafs , andSt. Louis Eagles , and was nicknamed the "Shawville Express." [He picked up his nickname while playing for Ottawa University, as he took the train in from Shawville to attend and play hockey. cite book |title=Old Scores, New Goals|last=Finnigan|first=Joan|year=1992|pages=p.142] His younger brotherEddie Finnigan also played in theNational Hockey League . His daughterJoan Finnigan (1925–2007) became a published writer.NHL career
Mr. Finnigan is most noted for his time with the Senators, serving as the team captain from 1930 – 1933, and scoring a high of 21 goals in the 1929–30 season. On
March 15 ,1934 , he scored the last goal for the original era of the Ottawa Senators. His unassisted goal was scored at the 1 minute, 7 second mark of the second period.Mr. Finnigan was the last surviving member of the Senators
Stanley Cup -winning team from the 1926–1927 season, the final season of the 1919–27 Ottawa Senators dynasty.As the franchise declined, he played the
1931–32 NHL season for theToronto Maple Leafs while the Ottawa team was on hiatus, winning the Stanley Cup in 1932. After one season with Maple Leafs he returned the Senators for two more years. He moved with the other players to play for theSt. Louis Eagles NHL team inSt. Louis, MO the following season for one season. He finished his career with several seasons with the Maple Leafs.He retired to Ottawa, and played ice hockey for various amateur teams, including the
RCAF Flyers .Role With The Current
Ottawa Senators NHL FranchiseWhen the NHL planned to expand in 1990, the consortium to get a new franchise for Ottawa signed Mr. Finnigan to be part of the presentation team to the NHL expansion committee. The group was successful and the reinstated Ottawa franchise began play in the 1992–1993 NHL season.
Unfortunately, Mr. Finnigan died before the new team would play its first game in 1992, for which he was scheduled to drop the puck for the ceremonial face-off. Instead, on opening night the honour went to his son, Frank Finnigan Jr. to drop the puck. On that night, the team honoured him by retiring the #8 jersey, making him one of three players in NHL history to have his uniform retired by a team for which he never actually played.
The street in front of the main entrance to the Ottawa Senators' arena -
Scotiabank Place is named Frank Finnigan Way in his honour. There is also a restaurant inside Scotiabank Place named 'Frank Finnigan's'. A banner honouring his retired number hangs from the rafters also.NHL Statistics:
Regular Season
Awards
* Played in NHL All-Star Game (1934). This was the first all-star game, held as a benefit for Toronto player
Ace Bailey . The first officialNHL All-Star Game was held in 1947.References:
External links
*
* [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12594 Legends Of Hockey page]
* [http://www.ottawasenators.com/ Ottawa Senators official site]
* [http://sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/ott/FinniganSens.jpgSports Encyclopedia]
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