1931
Top news stories
- Spain becomes a republic with the overthrow of King Alfonso XIII.
- British parliament enacts the Statute of Westminster, legalizing dominion equality with Britain.
- The planned capital of New Delhi opens in India.
- Gangster Al Capone sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion (freed in 1939; dies in 1947).
- The Empire State Building is completed.
- General Motors's Frigidaire makes refrigerators safe for household use.
- An electron microscope is developed by Vladimir Zworykin and James Hillier.
The 1931–32 NHL season was the 15th season of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Quakers suspended operations, leaving eight teams to play 48 games each.
League business
At the September 26, 1931, NHL meeting, the requests of the Philadelphia Quakers and the Ottawa Senators to suspend their franchises for the season were granted.[1] The eight remaining teams divided up the Ottawa and Philadelphia players, whose contracts were leased from Ottawa and Philadelphia. (The Quakers would not return) The players went to other teams, but their contracts were intended to revert to the original clubs. Ottawa received an offer of $300,000 for the team, on the condition that it could move to Chicago and play in the new Chicago Stadium but the owners of the Chicago Blackhawks refused to allow the new team within their territory.[2] The Detroit Falcons were bankrupt and went into receivership.
Meanwhile, the American Hockey Association, which had become the American Hockey League (AHL) in 1930–31 and declared itself a major league, was condemned as an outlaw league by NHL president Frank Calder. Among the reasons Calder cited for his actions was that the AHL had put a franchise in Chicago, which had an NHL franchise, and a franchise in Buffalo where the NHL had a minor league affiliate. The AHL proposed as Stanley Cup challenge, and the Stanley Cup trustees ordered the NHL to play off. However, the Buffalo team collapsed and Calder entered into negotiations to merge the Chicago Shamrocks, owned by James Norris, with the Detroit Falcons, now bankrupt. The AHL signed an agreement with the NHL to become its minor league affiliate.
Regular season
Player statistics
O'Brien Cup:
(Canadian Division champion) Toronto Maple Leafs
Prince of Wales Trophy:
(American Division champion) New York Rangers
Hart Trophy:
(Most valuable player) Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens
Vezina Trophy:
(Fewest goals allowed) George Hainsworth, Montreal Canadiens
Rookie of the year:
(Most points by rookie) Glenn Brydson, Montreal Maroons
