Frank J. Selke

For his son, the Canadian hockey executive and broadcaster, seeFrank Selke Jr.

Francis Joseph Aloysius Selke(/ˈsɛlki/;May 7, 1893 – July 3, 1985) was aCanadianprofessionalice hockeyexecutive in theNational Hockey League.He was a nine-timeStanley Cupchampion with theToronto Maple LeafsandMontreal Canadiensand aHockey Hall of Fameinductee.

Frank J. Selke
Selke watchingElmer Lachsign his first contract, 1942
Born	Francis Joseph Aloysius Selke (1893-05-07)May 7, 1893 Berlin,Ontario,Canada
Died	July 3, 1985(1985-07-03)(aged 92) Rigaud,Quebec,Canada
Occupation	NHLgeneral manager

Executive career

Early career

Born inBerlin,Ontario,Selke was managing the Iroquois Bantams in his hometown at the age of 14. He coached the Berlin Union Jacksjuniorteam in theOntario Hockey Associationfrom 1912 to 1915, reaching the finals of the league championship in his final season. In1919,he coached theUniversity of Toronto Schoolshockey team to the firstMemorial Cuptitle.

He coached the St. Mary's junior OHA team to its third-straight SPA junior championship in the 1924–25 season, with a team that included futureToronto Maple LeafsstarJoe Primeau.In 1926–27, the team became theToronto Marlboros,and again won the junior SPA championship. EventualHall of FamerRed Hornerwas a star defenceman on the Toronto team. During his time with the organization, Selke also coached the Marlboros senior team.

In 1927–28, Selke became coach and manager of theToronto Ravinasof theCanadian Professional Hockey League,with Primeau as the team's leading scorer. The team was bought by theToronto Maple Leafsand renamed the Toronto Falcons mid-season. Late in the year, the team played some home games inBrantford,Ontario,after drawing poor crowds in Toronto.

Rejoining the Marlboros in 1928–29, Selke helped lead the team to the1929 Memorial Cupchampionship.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Selke became the top assistant to Maple Leafs managing directorConn Smythein September 1929 — a position he would hold until 1946. He helped raise funds for the construction ofMaple Leaf Gardensin 1931. While Smythe served inWorld War II,Selke filled in as acting manager of the Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens. He did such a good job in that role that some of the directors of the company wanted him to remain in charge after Smythe returned.

Selke and Smythe clashed when Selke tradedFrank Eddollsto theMontreal Canadiensfor the rights toTed Kennedyin 1943. Though Kennedy would go on to become one of Smythe's favourite Leafs, Smythe strongly supported Eddolls at the time and was upset that Selke had not consulted with him before making the deal. Once Smythe returned to Toronto, there was tension between the two, particularly after Selke refused to back Smythe's bid to become president ofMaple Leaf Gardens Ltd.With his working conditions becoming intolerable, Selke submitted his resignation in May 1946.

Montreal Canadiens

Two months after resigning from the Leafs, Selke was hired as manager of theMontreal Forumand became general manager of theMontreal Canadiens.He took over a team that had just come off twoStanley Cupchampionships in the previous three seasons but was in financial trouble. Regardless, he signed a great deal of players and created an extensivefarm system.Anchored by Hall of FamersMaurice Richard,Elmer Lach,Doug HarveyandJacques Plante,Selke won his firstStanley Cupwith the Canadiens in1953.

In December 1946, Selke proposed that the NHL sponsorjunior ice hockeyteams under theCanadian Amateur Hockey Associationjurisdiction. The plan implemented a farm system composed of professional prospects spread out across Canada, as opposed to the strongest players being concentrated on all-star teams in Ontario.

Last years

By the mid-1950s, the farm system that Selke had established began to put life into the Canadiens, producing additional Hall of FamersJean Béliveau,Dickie Moore,Tom JohnsonandHenri Richard.After falling to the rivalDetroit Red Wingsin seven games in consecutive years,1954and1955,the Canadiens won a record five consecutive Cups from 1956 to 1960. Selke retired after the1963–64 season,turning the reins over toSam Pollock.

He died in 1985 at the age of 92 inRigaud, Quebec.

Honours

A nine-time Stanley Cup champion (1932, 1942, 1945 with the Maple Leafs; 1953, 1956–60 with the Canadiens), Selke was elected to theHockey Hall of Famein 1960. After his retirement in 1978, theNHLinaugurated theFrank J. Selke Trophythat is awarded annually to the best defensive forward in the league.

In theQuebec Major Junior Hockey League,theFrank J. Selke Memorial Trophywas awarded annually to the league's best defensive forward from 1969 to 2024, until it was renamed theDavid Desharnais Trophy.

In 2016, Frank J. Selke and his son,Frank Selke Jr.,were posthumously recognized by theOntario Sports Hall of Famewith theBruce Prentice Legacy Award.

See also

• List of family relations in the NHL

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics fromLegends of Hockey
• Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame profileat theWayback Machine(archived November 25, 2006)