Ottawa Senators History

This section contains historical memorabilia from the original Ottawa Senators hockey teams.

All three of the letters to the right were signed by Tommy Gorman aka T.P. Gorman who was the general manager of the original Ottawa Senators team and was responsible for players such as  Lionel Hitchman, Alex Connell and Frank "King" Clancy joining the team.  Under his management, the Senators became the NHL's first dynasty winning three Stanley Cups in four years between 1920 and 1923.  He is also the first coach/manager to win stanley cups in consecuctive years with 2 different teams (Chicago Blackhawks and Monteal Maroons).  Gorman was elected to the Hall of Fame in the builders category in 1963 and died in 1961.  Click here to see Tommy Gorman's Hockey Hall of Fame profile.

Tommy Gorman original photograph from Rice Studios of Montreal.  The likeness of this  photo was used by Irma Coucill for her Hall of Hame plaque sketch of Gorman.

Tommy Gorman with Frank nighbor and several other original Ottawa Senators players at a Stanley Cup Parade in Ottawa.  Original archive copy photo from the Bill Galloway collection.

The original program and two photograhs below are press photographs of the Ottawa Senators of the Quebec Senior Hockey League(QSHL) that played during the 1940's and 1950's after the NHL Senators team moved to St. Louis and eventually ceased operations.  Gorman was the manager of these Senators teams as well.    I am still in the process of researching all of the players in each.  Both photos are embossed with Photo By Netwon Ottawa in the lower right corner.  Original Senator George "Buck" Boucher was the coach and is on the far left of the left photo while Alex "Boots" Smith is in the far right of the first row in the right photo wearing a New York Rovers jacket.

Back Row: William "Legs" Fraser, Johnny Inglis, George Greene, Frank Mathers, Connie Brown, Gordie Poirier, ???, Vic Hanneburry  Middle Row: Stu Smith, Albert Barnes, Jerry Cooper, Tony Grabowki, Lude Check, Bobby Copp Front Row: Jimmy Orlando, Ed Slowinski, Jim McFadden, Wilfred  "Dinny" McManus, Jack Irvine, Alex "Boots" Smith (Coach)

The picture below is of what I believe to be the 1942-1943 Ottawa Commandos and comes from a player album.  Alex Smith is again visible by his New York Rovers jacket as well as several other players who went on to play with the Ottawa Senators of the Quebec Senior Hockey League once the Commandos ceased play.  Also pictured are future NHL players Mac Colville, Neil Colville, Alex Shibicky, Ken Reardon, Bingo Kapman and goalie "Sugar" Jim Henry.

From Left to Right: Fred Murphy, Sid Smith, Billy Watson, Jack Mclean, Lude Check, Eddie Emberg, Larry Regan, George Greene, Alex Smart, Ray Trainor, Jack Irvine, Connie Tudin, Bobby Copp, Emile Dagenais, Frank Mathers, Frank "Butch" Stahan, William "Legs" Fraser, George "Buck" Boucher (Coach)

Frank King Clancy Autograph The framed photo and cut signature on the right is of Francis "King" Clancy who was an Ottawa Senator from the 1921-1922 season through 1929-1930 before he was sold to the Toronto Maple Leafs (I will be changing the photo).  The signature is in pen and reads best wishes Frank King Clancy.  It was acquired from the Classic Collectibles Bobby Hull Action from October 2004.

Frank Boucher Autograph This one page typed letter was signed by Frank Boucher the SJHL commissioner to Metro Prystai who coached the Moose Jaw Cannucks.  Boucher was an Ottawa Senator in 1921-1922 but went on to success with Bill and Bun Cook to form the New York Rangers famous Bread Line as well as being part of the Rangers first Stanleu Cup team.  It was acquired from the Classic Collectibles Overtime Auction #10 from June 2007.