1952-53 NHL season

The 1952-53 NHL season was the 36th season of the National Hockey League. Six teams each played 70 games. The Montreal Canadiens were the Stanley Cup winners as they beat the Boston Bruins four games to one in the final series.

Regular season

The NHL almost had a seventh franchise, as the Cleveland Barons applied for a franchise. They were accepted with the proviso that they deposit $425,000 to show good faith, and prove they had sufficient working capital to consort with the other NHL teams. They could not come up with the working capital and transfer of applicants stock to Cleveland residents. As a result, Cleveland was told to apply at a later date.

A big deal was made between Toronto and Chicago as Toronto shipped Al Rollins, Gus Mortson, and Cal Gardner for goaltender Harry Lumley.

Sid Abel was signed by Chicago to be player-coach.

What was rumour became fact in September when Arthur M. Wirtz and James D. Norris became the new owners of the near bankrupt Chicago Black Hawks.

Lorne "Gump" Worsley made his NHL debut October 9th, 1952 in goal for the New York Rangers at Detroit's Olympia and lost 5-3, as Ted Lindsay scored in a tip-in on the power play for Worsley's first goal against him. Alex Delvecchio and Gordie Howe also had goals. Marty Pavelich scored what proved to be the winning goal.

On November 8th, 14,562 fans were in attendance at the Montreal Forum when the Canadiens beat Chicago 6-4. Elmer Lach scored his 200th career goal. Fifty seconds later, after Butch Bouchard fed him the puck, Rocket Richard rifled a puck past Al Rollins for his 325th goal, breaking Nels Stewart's record for career goals. Stewart sent a telegram: "Congratulations on breaking record. Hope you will hold it for many seasons. Best of luck to you and rest of team."

James F. Norris, owner of the Detroit Red Wings since 1932 and father of James D. Norris, Chicago owner, died of a heart attack December 4th, 1952, and his daughter Marguerite became the first female owner of an NHL franchise since Ida Querrie owned the Toronto St. Patricks in 1923 when her husband Charlie transferred his stock in the team to her to avoid paying Eddie Livingstone any money in Livingstone's lawsuit against him.

When Terry Sawchuk was injured in practice, the Red Wings brought up Glenn Hall and he made his NHL debut December 27th and played well in a 2-2 tie with Montreal. He then picked up his first career shutout January 7th, blanking Boston 4-0.

Jack Adams got into some trouble January 18th when, after a 3-2 loss to Montreal, he entered the officials room and argued with referee Red Storey. Dick Irvin, coach of Montreal, was very upset over this and NHL president Clarence Campbell agreed, fining Adams $500.

Gump Worsley got his first career shutout January 11th in a rare Ranger pounding of Montreal 7-0.

Butch Bouchard night was held February 28th and he was presented a car and a TV set. Detroit spoiled the night with a 4-3 victory.

There was consternation in Toronto when Max Bentley suddenly vanished and was reported back at his home in Delisle, Saskatchewan. Conn Smythe convinced him to return and he did, playing the remaining games of the schedule.

Ted Lindsay scored 4 goals March 2nd as Detroit pummelled Boston 10-2.

Gordie Howe won the Hart Trophy over Al Rollins, but on the strength of Rollins' goaltending, Chicago made the playoffs for the first time since 1946.

For the fifth straight season the Detroit Red Wings lead the league in points.

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

National Hockey League	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Detroit Red Wings	70	36	16	18	90	222	133	645
Montreal Canadiens	70	28	23	19	75	155	148	777
Boston Bruins	70	28	29	13	69	152	172	528
Chicago Black Hawks	70	27	28	15	69	169	175	736
Toronto Maple Leafs	70	27	30	13	67	156	167	812
New York Rangers	70	17	37	16	50	152	211	548

Scoring leaders

Stanley Cup playoffs

Playoff bracket

NHL awards

Prince of Wales Trophy:	Detroit Red Wings
Art Ross Memorial Trophy:	Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings
Calder Memorial Trophy:	Lorne "Gump" Worsley, New York Rangers
Hart Memorial Trophy:	Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy:	Red Kelly, Detroit Red Wings
Vezina Trophy:	Terry Sawchuk, Detroit Red Wings

References

NHL 1952/53 | Saison LNH 1952-53

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