Leighton Alfred Emms(January 12, 1905 – October 23, 1988) was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, team owner, and general manager, during nearly 60 years in hockey. Emms played 17 seasons of professional hockey as aleft wingerand adefenceman,including 10 seasons and 320 games in theNational Hockey League.After playing, Emms had a 33-year presence in theOntario Hockey Association,as the owner of theBarrie Flyers,Niagara Falls Flyers,andSt. Catharines Black Hawksbetween 1945 and 1978. Teams that Emms coached or owned appeared in eight Memorial Cup tournaments, winning four Memorial Cups. He was nicknamed "Happy Emms"due to the sour look on his face, which was later shortened to"Hap Emms".[1]
| Hap Emms | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Born |
January 12, 1905 Barrie, Ontario,Canada | ||
| Died |
October 23, 1988(aged 83) Niagara Falls, Ontario,Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing/Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for |
Montreal Maroons New York Americans Detroit Falcons Detroit Red Wings Boston Bruins | ||
| Playing career | 1926–1938 | ||
Playing career
editEmms started his career as a left winger playingjunior ice hockeyfrom 1921 to 1925. He signed as a free agent with theMontreal Maroonson November 10, 1926.[2]He spent the next two seasons splitting time between the Maroons and the Stratford Nationals of theCanadian Professional Hockey League.Emms then moved to the Windsor Bulldogs in theInternational Hockey League,for two seasons, and scored 21 goals both seasons.[3]
Emms was traded toNew York Americanson May 14, 1930.[2]In 1930–31, Emms played his first full NHL season at the age of 25, in 44 games with the New York Americans.[4]He started the 1931–32 season with Americans, was traded to theDetroit Falconson December 29, 1931,[2]then played briefly withNew Haven Eaglesin theCanadian–American Hockey League,before being called back up to the NHL. He played three seasons in Detroit, but was not happy, and askedJack Adamsto release him.[1]
Emms signed as a free agent byBoston Bruinson, October 28, 1934,[2]and switched to playing defence. He played only 11 games with the Bruins, and was traded to New York Americans on December 14, 1934.[2]He played three more seasons in New York, and was traded to Detroit on February 13, 1938, ending his NHL career.[2]Emms played on Detroit's farm team, thePittsburgh Hornetsin theIAHLfor two seasons.[4]
Player-coach
editEmms joined theOmaha Knightsin theAmerican Hockey Association, as aplayer-coach.Emms scored 19 goals in the 1939–40 season, and led his team to the AHA finals.[3]Emms broke his leg part way through the 1941–42 season.[1]He remained on the team as coach, and led the Knights to the AHA championship. After a couple years off from hockey, Emms returned to coach theSt. Louis Flyersof theAmerican Hockey Leaguein the 1944–45 season, and played the final two games of his career. Six games into the 1945–46 season, Emms left St. Louis to return home.[citation needed]
Barrie Flyers
editEmms founded theBarrie Flyersin his hometown of Barrie, in theOntario Hockey Association.From 1945 to 1960, Emms was head coach and owner of the Flyers, and the team was sponsored by theBoston Bruins.Barrie won its firstJ. Ross Robertson Cupin the third season of play, defeating the originalWindsor Spitfiresin the finals. In the Eastern Canada finals, the Flyers won theGeorge Richardson Memorial Trophyversus the Montreal Nationales. The Flyers played in the1948 Memorial Cup,losing to the Port Arthur West End Bruins. Barrie repeated as OHA champions the following season, defeating theToronto Marlborosfor the J. Ross Robertson Cup. In the Eastern Canada finals, Barrie lost to theMontreal Royals.Emms rebuilt the team in 1950, and then finished first place in the OHA in 1951. The Flyers returned to the OHA finals, beating the Toronto Marlboros. The Flyers won the Eastern Canada title versus the Quebec Citadels, and won the1951 Memorial Cupversus theWinnipeg Monarchs.[citation needed]
The Flyers finished first place in the OHA in 1953. Emms was involved in controversy during the OHA playoffs in 1953, when he refused to play a Sunday playoff game for religious reasons, and when he had agoal judgehandcuffed and removed fromBarrie Arena.[5]Despite the incidents, Emms' Flyers won its fourth J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1953, defeating theToronto St. Michael's Majors,and then won its third George Richardson Memorial Trophy as Eastern Canada champions versus the Quebec Citadels. Barrie won its second national title, defeating theSt. Boniface Canadiensin the1953 Memorial Cup.Emms next seven seasons were not as successful, but his team did reach the 1956 OHA finals.[citation needed]
Some notable players Emms coached on the Barrie Flyers included brothersDick CherryandDon Cherry,Real Chevrefils,Marv Edwards,Ray Gariepy,Howie Glover,Leo Labine,Wayne Maxner,Gilles Mayer,Don McKenney,Paul Meger,Doug Mohns,Jim Morrison,Ron Stewart,Orval Tessier,Jerry Toppazzini,andEd Westfall.[citation needed]
Niagara Falls Flyers
editEmms moved the Flyers from Barrie, and operated the franchise fromNiagara Falls, Ontariofrom 1960 to 1972. Emms slowly relinquished coaching duties to others, but continued as team owner, and general manager. TheNiagara Falls Flyerswere still sponsored by the Bruins until the direct NHL sponsorship of junior clubs halted in 1967. In the Flyers third season, the team finished first place in the OHA, winning theHamilton Spectator Trophywith 69 points. Niagara Falls defeated theToronto Neil McNeil Maroonsin the OHA finals to win its first J. Ross Robertson Cup in its new city, and the fifth for Emms. The Flyers defeated theEspanola Eaglesin the Eastern Canada finals, to advance to the1963 Memorial Cupplayed in Edmonton, but lost to theEdmonton Oil Kingsin six games. Two seasons later, Emms led the Flyers to another first-place finish with 81 points, and a second Hamilton Spectator Trophy. Niagara Falls defeated theToronto Marlborosin the OHA finals, and advanced to a rematch with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the1965 Memorial Cup,also played in Edmonton. Emms won his third Memorial Cup as his Flyers prevailed in five games.[citation needed]
Three season later, Emms had another championship team. The Flyers finished fourth place in the OHA, but marched through the playoffs to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup versus theKitchener Rangers,the seventh for Emms. Niagara won the Eastern Canada final versus theVerdun Maple Leafs.Four of the five games in the1968 Memorial Cupwere played at Emms' home rink, theNiagara Falls Memorial Arena.The Flyers won all four games on home ice for their second Memorial Cup title, and the fourth for Emms. After 1968, many of the players graduated to higher leagues, and the Flyers struggled for the next four seasons, missing the playoffs twice, and winning only one playoff series. In 1972, Emms sold the Flyers, and the team was relocated to become theSudbury Wolves.[citation needed]
Notable Niagara Falls Flyers players are:Don Awrey,Jim Lorentz,Rick Ley,Don Marcotte,Barry Wilkins,Rosaire Paiement,Steve Atkinson,Bill Goldsworthy,Jean Pronovost,John Arbour,Gilles Marotte,Bernie Parent,Doug Favell,Derek Sanderson,Brad Selwood,Phil Roberto,Tom Webster,andPhil Myre.[citation needed]
Boston Bruins
editDuring the 1965–66 and 1966–67 seasons Emms was thegeneral managerof both the NHL Bruins, and the Niagara Falls Flyers. Emms succeededLynn Patrickas only the third GM in the Bruins' 41-year history to that point.[6]Emms brought in such players as Bernie Parent,Pit Martin,John "Pie" McKenzie,Gerry Cheevers,Gilles Marotte andGary Doakto the Bruins. He also promotedHarry Sindento coach in 1966, and was the general manager duringBobby Orr's first season in the National Hockey League. The Bruins were in the midst of an eight-year slump, and failed to make the playoffs during Emms' two seasons. Emms and the Bruins mutually ended his management, and he returned to the Niagara Fall Flyers.[6]Emms was replaced by his assistant,Milt Schmidt.[citation needed]
St. Catharines Blackhawks
editEmms purchased theSt. Catharines Black Hawksimmediately after selling the Flyers in 1972. In his first season with the new club, Emms was suspended by the league for an incident involving the Toronto Marlboros'Mark Napier,who had signed a professional contract to play for theToronto Toros.TheWorld Hockey Associationcontract was not to take effect until after Napier's junior season was complete, but Emms felt it was wrong to have what he deemed a professional playing in junior hockey. During a game against Toronto, Emms ordered his players to wear their jerseys backwards and play with their sticks upside down in protest. TheToronto Marlboroswon 14–0, Emms was fined $1,000, and suspended for one year by league commissionerTubby Schmalz.[7][8]
By the 1973–74 season, Emms had built the Black Hawks into a championship team. They finished second place in the regular season, then went undefeated in all three OHA playoff rounds to capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup versus thePeterborough Petes.It was Emms' eighth and final OHA title as a general manager. In the1974 Memorial Cupplayed inCalgaryat theStampede Corral,the Black Hawks faced theRegina Pats,and theQuebec Remparts.Emm's team won its first game 4–1 over Quebec, then lost to Regina 4–0. In the semifinal game, St. Catharines was defeated 11–3 by Quebec. He led the Black Hawks for two more seasons in St. Catharines, missing the playoffs both times. Emms' time in St. Catharines produced several NHL players including,Wilf Paiement,Gary McAdam,Rick Hampton,Ken Breitenbach,Garry Lariviere,Rick Adduono,andDave Gorman.[citation needed]
Emms relocated the team to Niagara Falls at the end of the 1975–76 season, becoming the second incarnation of the Niagara Falls Flyers. In his last two seasons, his team missed the playoffs twice, but developed future Hall of FamerMike Gartner.In his final draft as a general manager in 1977, Emms had the opportunity to draftWayne Gretzkywith the second overall pick, but chose Steve Peters instead.[7]Emms sold the Flyers to Reg Quinn in 1978, and retired from hockey.[citation needed]
Personal life
edit
Emms coached his son Paul Emms, and nephew Don Emms on the Barrie Flyers.[4]Paul Emms later coached the Niagara Falls Flyers while his father managed. Emms was known for smoking a pipe, being frugal with money, and fined players for cursing.[7]He suffered a stroke in 1983, which left him unable to walk or talk.[1]He died of heart failure on October 22, 1988, in Niagara Falls.[1]Emms was interred at Barrie Union Cemetery.[9]
Awards and legacy
editEmms received theOntario Hockey AssociationGold Stick Award in 1955.[10]TheEmms Family Awardwas donated in 1973 by Emms, as an annual award to recognize the OHL Rookie of the Year. TheHap Emms Memorial Trophywas created in 1975, to recognize the outstanding goaltender at the Memorial Cup tournament. From the1975–76 OMJHL seasonuntil the1993–94 OHL season,the more westerly of the league's two divisions was named the Emms Division in his memory. Likewise, theEmms Trophyfor winning the same division, was created at the same time. Since the1994–95 OHL season,it is awarded to the team winning the central division.[citation needed]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1921–22 | Barrie Colts | OHA-Jr. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1922–23 | Barrie Colts | OHA-Jr. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1923–24 | Barrie Colts | OHA-Jr. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1924–25 | Midland Hockey Club | OHA-Jr. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1925–26 | Brantford Seniors | OHA-Sr. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1926–27 | Montreal Maroons | NHL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1926–27 | Stratford Nationals | Can-Pro | 25 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1927–28 | Montreal Maroons | NHL | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1927–28 | Stratford Nationals | Can-Pro | 29 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 56 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 | ||
| 1928–29 | Windsor Bulldogs | Can-Pro | 42 | 21 | 5 | 26 | 104 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 30 | ||
| 1929–30 | Windsor Bulldogs | IHL | 38 | 21 | 16 | 37 | 107 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1930–31 | New York Americans | NHL | 44 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1931–32 | New York Americans | NHL | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1931–32 | New Haven Eagles | Can-Am | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1931–32 | Detroit Falcons | NHL | 20 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1932–33 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 43 | 9 | 13 | 22 | 63 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 1933–34 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 45 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 51 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1934–35 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1934–35 | New York Americans | NHL | 28 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1935–36 | New York Americans | NHL | 32 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1936–37 | New York Americans | NHL | 46 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1937–38 | New York Americans | NHL | 20 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1937–38 | Pittsburgh Hornets | IAHL | 26 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 39 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1938–39 | Pittsburgh Hornets | IAHL | 55 | 9 | 26 | 35 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1939–40 | Omaha Knights | AHA | 48 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 93 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1940–41 | Omaha Knights | AHA | 27 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1941–42 | Omaha Knights | AHA | 26 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1944–45 | St. Louis Flyers | AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 320 | 36 | 53 | 89 | 311 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | ||||
Coaching statistics
edit| Season | Team | League | Regular season | Playoffs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | Pts | Finish | Result | |||
| 1939–40 | Omaha Knights | AHA | 48 | 25 | 23 | 0 | 50 | 4th, AHA | Lost in AHA finals |
| 1940–41 | Omaha Knights | AHA | 48 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 48 | 5th, AHA | Out of playoffs |
| 1941–42 | Omaha Knights | AHA | 50 | 24 | 20 | 6 | 54 | 3rd, North | AHA champions |
| 1944–45 | St. Louis Flyers | AHL | 60 | 14 | 38 | 8 | 36 | 4th, Western | Out of playoffs |
| 1945–46 | St. Louis Flyers | AHL | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | (4th, Western) | (resigned) |
| 1945–46 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 28 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 18 | 7th, OHA | — |
| 1946–47 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 35 | 17 | 16 | 2 | 36 | 6th, OHA | — |
| 1947–48 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 36 | 23 | 13 | 0 | 46 | 3rd, OHA | OHA champions Lost Memorial Cup finals |
| 1948–49 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 48 | 28 | 16 | 4 | 60 | 2nd, OHA | OHA champions Lost Eastern Canada final |
| 1949–50 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 48 | 21 | 24 | 3 | 45 | 5th, OHA | — |
| 1950–51 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 54 | 38 | 14 | 2 | 78 | 1st, OHA | OHA champions Memorial Cup champions |
| 1951–52 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 53 | 22 | 30 | 1 | 47 | 7th, OHA | — |
| 1952–53 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 56 | 37 | 17 | 2 | 76 | 1st, OHA | OHA champions Memorial Cup champions |
| 1953–54 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 59 | 25 | 33 | 1 | 51 | 7th, OHA | — |
| 1954–55 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 49 | 18 | 31 | 0 | 36 | 7th, OHA | — |
| 1955–56 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 48 | 20 | 25 | 3 | 43 | 6th, OHA | Lost in OHA finals |
| 1956–57 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 52 | 13 | 37 | 2 | 28 | 6th, OHA | — |
| 1957–58 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 51 | 18 | 29 | 4 | 40 | 6th, OHA | — |
| 1958–59 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 54 | 21 | 27 | 6 | 48 | 5th, OHA | — |
| 1959–60 | Barrie Flyers | OHA | 48 | 24 | 18 | 6 | 54 | 3rd, OHA | — |
| TOTALS | AHA | 146 | 73 | 67 | 6 | 152 | — | 1 AHA championship | |
| TOTALS | AHL | 65 | 15 | 42 | 8 | 38 | — | — | |
| TOTALS | OHA | 719 | 333 | 348 | 38 | 704 | 2 x 1st place | 4 OHA championships 1 OHA finalist | |
References
edit- ^abcde"Happy Emms".Detroit Red Wings Legends.RetrievedDecember 27,2017.
- ^abcdef"Hap Emms".Legends of Hockey.Hockey Hall of Fame.RetrievedDecember 27,2017.
- ^ab"Leighton 'Happy' Emms hockey statistics and profile".hockeydb.RetrievedDecember 27,2017.
- ^abc"Hap Emms".Eliteprospects.RetrievedDecember 27,2017.
- ^Young, Scott (1989).100 Years of Dropping the Puck.Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart Inc. pp.215–216.ISBN0-7710-9093-5.
- ^abCole, Rick (April 6, 2015)."50 Years Ago in Hockey - Bruins Happy With Emms".The Hockey Writers.RetrievedDecember 27,2017.
- ^abcLudzik, Steve (November 8, 2013)."Hap Emms will never be forgotten".Niagara Falls Review.RetrievedDecember 27,2017.
- ^"Emms fined $1,000".Lethbridge Herald.Lethbridge, Alberta. March 6, 1975. p. 15.
- ^Barrie Today
- ^"Gold Stick Award".Ontario Hockey Association.2019.RetrievedAugust 25,2019.
External links
edit
- Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orThe Internet Hockey Database