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Hod Stuart Memorial Game (Montreal Arena, Thursday, January 2, 1908)
This memorial game was played in the honour of Montreal Wanderers great Hod Stuart, who at the age of 28, drowned in the Bay of Quinte. It was likely the first all-star formatted contest ever played in any sport. The proceeds of the game went to Stuart’s widow and two children and 3,800 spectators contributed more than $2,000 for the Stuart family. The contest pitted Stuart’s former team, the Montreal Wanderers, against a team of All-Stars from the ECAHA. The Wanderers got big performances from Ernie Russell and Cecil Blachford to earn a 10-7 victory over the All-Stars that included Percy LeSueur and Frank Patrick.
Ace Bailey Benefit Game (Maple Leaf Gardens, Wednesday, February 14, 1934)
On December 13, 1933, Toronto Maple Leafs star Ace Bailey was tripped from behind by Boston Bruins great Eddie Shore. Unconscious and bleeding from the head, Bailey was quickly rushed to hospital with a grave injury and death was a certainty. Bailey was courageously able to fend off death, but was never able to play hockey again. Named the Ace Bailey Benefit Game, Bailey’s former team the Toronto Maple Leafs took on a team of All-Stars from around the league with the proceeds going to Bailey and his family. Shore was named a member of the All-Star team, but tensions quickly passed when Ace Bailey himself shook Shore’s hand in forgiveness. Leafs’ owner Conn Smythe then retired the first number in hockey history when he declared of Bailey’s number six, “No other player will ever use this number on the Maple Leaf hockey team.” The game was a success for the home side as the Toronto Maple Leafs led by “The Kid Line” and Hap Day posted a 7-3 victory over Shore, Howie Morenz and their fellow All-Stars.
Howie Morenz Memorial Game (Montreal Forum, Wednesday, November 3, 1937)
The game was played in honour of former Montreal Canadien great Howie Morenz who died in hospital of a coronary embolism while healing from a broken leg he suffered during a Canadiens game. The 11,000 fans in attendance, with help from the Canadiens organization, helped raise almost $20,000 which was presented to Morenz’s widow. The game saw a team of Montreal All-Stars (players from both the Maroons and Canadiens) face-off against a team of All-Stars from around the league. In a tight, exciting game Eddie Shore, Charlie Conacher and the All-Stars narrowly defeated reigning Hart Trophy winner Babe Siebert and the Montreal All-Stars by a 6-5 score.
Babe Siebert Memorial Game (Montreal Forum, Sunday, October 29, 1939)
Babe Siebert enjoyed a productive 14-year playing career with both Montreal teams, the Maroons and Canadiens. Upon his retirement, Siebert was immediately appointed coach of the Canadiens for the forthcoming 1939-40 season. But tragedy struck. Siebert drowned prior to the start of the season at the resort town of St. Joseph, Ontario. He was known as a fine man both as a player and a person, and it was well known that he was a loving father to his two daughters and a devoted husband to his wife, who was paralyzed from the waste down. The Babe Siebert Memorial Game was played to raise money for the Siebert family and saw the team he was to coach, the Montreal Canadiens, host a team of All-Stars from around the league. The All-Stars proved to be too much as Syl Apps and Johnny Gottselig helped them earn a 5-2 victory over Toe Blake, Earl Robinson and their Canadien teammates.
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