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The 1953-54 NHL season was the 37th season of the National Hockey League. Six teams each played 70 games. The James Norris Memorial Trophy made its debut this season and its first winner was Red Kelly of the Detroit Red Wings. The Norris Trophy goes to the top defenceman each year and was named in honour of James Norris Sr., owner of the Detroit Red Wings franchise from 1932 until his death in 1952.
Regular season
President Campbell was busy this year imposing fines and suspensions. As a result of pushing referee Frank Udvari into the boards during a November 12th game, Bernie Geoffrion was fined $250. Later, in a December 20th game, he and Ron Murphy engaged in stick swinging which left Murphy with a broken jaw. Both players were suspended.
There was trouble brewing for Maurice Richard when he ghosted an article in the Samedi Dimanche newspaper, calling NHL president Clarence Campbell a dictator and took exception to Campbell's suspension of Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion for the stick swinging incident. Richard was required to post a $1000 bond and refrain from any more articles.
The Detroit Red Wings were first overall in the National Hockey league for the sixth straight season.
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 | 37 | 19 | 14 | 88 | 191 | 132 | 814 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 70 | 35 | 24 | 11 | 81 | 195 | 141 | 1064 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 70 | 32 | 24 | 14 | 78 | 152 | 131 | 1022 |
| Boston Bruins | 70 | 32 | 28 | 10 | 74 | 177 | 181 | 685 |
| New York Rangers | 70 | 29 | 31 | 10 | 68 | 161 | 182 | 717 |
| Chicago Black Hawks | 70 | 12 | 51 | 7 | 31 | 133 | 242 | 797 |
Scoring leaders
Stanley Cup playoffs
Playoff bracket
NHL awards
See also
- List of Stanley Cup champions
- 7th National Hockey League All-Star Game
- National Hockey League All-Star Game
- 1953 in sports
- 1954 in sports
References
"1953-54 NHL season"