1946-47

Logo & Uniform Changes

• The league begins to pressure New York and Chicago to create white uniforms for contrast. New York complies, creating a plain white sweater for road games against Toronto, Detroit, and Hamilton.

Standings:

Canadian Division

• Hamilton
• Buffalo
• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Montreal

American Division

• Chicago
• New York
• Detroit
• Boston
• Philadelphia

Season Summary:

The biggest change at the beginning of the 1946-47 season occured when the league decided to create two divisions. Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, Buffalo, and Vancouver formed the Canadian Division, while New York, Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, amd Chicago formed the American Division. The Hamilton Kings entered the 1946-47 season aggressively seeking their first Lewis Cup. They traded 17-year veteran Johnny Williams to Buffalo for young star Frankie Jenkins. Jenkins led Hamilton in scoring with 38 goals as the Kings finished first overall with a 29-5-3-3 record. Meanwhile, in Buffalo, Johnny Williams provided veteran leadership for a young team, helping them to a fourth place finish. In their second season, Vancouver sqeezed into the playoffs despite a brutal traveling schedule. The Montreal Royale Missed the playoffs for the first time in their history with only 18 wins. Philadelphia finished in last place, but on-ice futility was the least of their worries. When Milt Stevenson decided to sell the Redshirts in the summer of 1946, he could not find a buyer. now he was listening to potential buyers from other cities, with Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and St. Louis showing interest. In the playoffs, Hamilton continued their magical season, defeating the Vancouver Bighorns and Toronto Racers before taking out the Boston Bulldogs in a thrilling 7 game final to claim their first Lewis Cup.