THE LEAFS-HAWKS GO WEST IN 1936

During the early part of the Original Six era, unless you lived in an NHL town, your exposure to the game was limited to a radio broadcast, reports in the newspapers or film clips showed in the theatre. Of course, fans could take a road trip to witness an NHL contest in-person.

Recognizing the fact that the non-NHL towns were hungry to view a game in their local community, the Original Six teams would often hit the road to play in exhibition games across North America.

One such journey took place in April 1936, between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Black Hawks. In a previous story, I wrote about the event that took place in western Canada. The text is reprinted below.

The two teams set out for the west with a series of matches scheduled for Winnipeg and Calgary, before reaching Vancouver for their showdown. The tour consisted of two games in Manitoba and three in Alberta. The B.C. portion also called for three contests.
For hockey fans west of Ontario, it was an opportunity to witness the game being played by NHL players. The action kicked-off in Winnipeg on April 16, 1936 and concluded on May 1st in Vancouver. On hand for the events was broadcaster Foster Hewitt. Many in the crowds were more eager to see the face behind the voice than the players themselves.
In Vancouver, the Leafs were crowned champions with total-goals being the determining factor. The Hawks won the first game 5-3, but Toronto bounced back with 7-2 and 3-2 victories.
News reports from the day painted this picture of the winners reward, "a handsome Gyro Club, Totem Pole Trophy." The Gyro Service Club sponsored the trip west for Toronto and Chicago.
While in Vancouver, both teams, when not battling on the ice, relaxed at The Commodore. It was considered the place to be when it came to enjoying the nightlife. Of course, the players were the toast-of-the-town. The orchestra saluted Toronto by cranking out "The Maple Leaf Forever", with Leaf players joining in. Not to be outdone, Chicago players pipped-up with a unique twist to the words by adding this chorus "Toronto Maple Leafs, runners-up forever."

Since publishing the story, hockey enthusiast Doug Wellington, has provided me with photos of a unique piece of memorabilia from the competition.

   

The above pocket watch was given to former Toronto Maple Leaf forward, Ace Bailey. Bailey, was forced to hang-up his skates after suffering a career ending head injury in a game against the Boston Bruins on December 12, 1933.

After recovering from his brain trauma, Bailey became a popular participant on the guest speakers circuit. One of his stops was the Gyro Club of Vancouver celebration of the Leafs-Black Hawks showdown.

A reporter, covering a speech Bailey gave in Niagara Falls, Ontario, made note of Bailey's view of the  trip to Vancouver:

The recent western trip of the Leafs and Chicago Black Hawks did much to advance the game, he (Bailey) thought. He did not feel that the big exodus of amateur players to the United States and England would hurt Canadian hockey, and felt the player demand would never exceed the supply.

The inscription on the back of the watch reads, "In appreciation, to Ace Bailey, at visit of NHL, Maple Leafs & Black Hawks, April 1936, Gyro Club of Vancouver."