1944 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1944 Stanley Cup Finals were held from April 4 to April 12, 1944 in a best-of-seven series between the Chicago Black Hawks and the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens would win the series 4–0 to win their first Stanley Cup since 1931.

Paths to the final

Chicago defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a best-of-seven 4–1 to advance to the finals. The Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in a best-of-seven 4–1 to advance.

The series

Maurice "Rocket" Richard made his Stanley Cup debut with a five goal performance in the series, including a hat-trick in game two. The Punch Line of Richard, Elmer Lach and Toe Blake scored 10 of the Canadiens 16 goals. Blake scored the Cup winner in overtime. In the same overtime, Bill Durnan stopped the first penalty shot awarded in the finals, awarded to Virgil Johnson.

Chicago Black Hawks vs. Montreal Canadiens"Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–0."

Montreal Canadiens 1944 Stanley Cup Champions

Stanley Cup champion
goaltenders=1 Bill Durnan
defence=*2 Mike McMahon Sr.
*3 Emile "Butch" Bouchard
*4 Leo Lamoureux
*8 Glen Harmon
centers=*10 Herbert Buddy O'Connor
*11 Ray Getliffe
*16 Elmer Lach
*17 Fern Majeau
wingers=*6 Hector Toe Blake (Captain)
*8 Gerry Heffernan
*9 Maurice "Rocket" Richard
*12 Erwin Murph Chamberlain
*14 Phil Watson
*21 Bob Fillion
non-players=
* Donat Raymond (President/Owner), Dalton Coleman (Vice President/Owner)
* Len Perto (Director), Tommy Gorman (Manager)
* Dick Irvin Sr, (Coach)
* Ernie Cook (Trainer)&, Hector Dubois (Ass’t Trainer)&.

engraving-notes=
*Trainer Ernie Cook and Hector Dubois were included on the team picture in 1944, 1946. However, their names were not engraved on the Cup. When the Stanley Cup was redesigned during the 1957–58 season Cook was added to cup in 1944, but not to 1946 team. Dubois would later have his name on the Stanley Cup 6 times 1953–56–57–58–59–60.

*In 1944 Tommy Gorman became the only Manager to win 4 Stanley Cup with 4 different teams. 1920–21–23 Ottawa Senators, 1934 Chicago Black Hawks, 1935 Montreal Maroons and 1944 Montreal Canadiens. He would retire as a champion, after winning one more cup with the Canadiens in 1946.

;Spelling mistakes
*Bill Durnan's name was misspelled as BILL DURMAN. The first "N" was engraved as a "M". The mistake was corrected in 1992–93 when the Replica Cup was created.

*Gerald "Gerry" Heffernan won only 1 Stanley Cup his career in 1944. However, his name is spelled differently on each of the rings that included the 1944 Montreal Canadiens.
*On the original ring in 1944 as GERALD HEFFERNAN
*On the Designed ring created during 1957–58 season as JERRY HEFFERNAN
*On the Replica ring created in 1992–93 as GERRY HEFFERNAN

ee also

* 1943–44 NHL season
* List of Stanley Cup champions

References and notes

*
* Podnieks, Andrew; Hockey Hall of Fame (2004). Lord Stanley's Cup. Triumph Books, 12, 50. ISBN 1–55168–261–3.