This is the only recognized rookie card of one of hockey's fastest players and its first
true superstar. Howie Morenz, often referred to as “The Babe Ruth of Hockey,” began his
career with the Montreal Canadiens as a center in 1923 and won a Stanley Cup his very first
season as a professional. He would go on to win two more Stanley Cups with the team in
1930 and 1931. Morenz, a master puck handler and prolific scorer who finished his career
with 270 regular season goals, was awarded three Hart Memorial Trophies in his career as
the NHL's MVP and twice led the league in scoring. His career-high came during the 1929-
30 season when he scored 40 goals in only 44 games. When Morenz began to lose his
trademark speed, he was sent to the Chicago Black Hawks and then the New York Rangers before returning to Montreal for one last run. Unfortunately, his return was cut short due to a severely broken leg suffered during a home game on January 28, 1937. Just a few weeks later, shockingly, Morenz would pass away as a result of blood clots from the injury. Morenz, a member of the inaugural Hockey Hall of Fame class in 1945, was mourned by thousands of fans outside of Montreal's Forum. This card is considered one of the most valuable in the set, only taking a back seat to the Bert Corbeau short print rarity.
Howard William “Howie” Morenz (September 21, 1902 - March 8, 1937) was one of the greatest stick handlers and speediest players of his era with an innate scoring touch as he twice led the Montreal Canadiens to back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships (1924-1925, 1930-1931). Called the “Mitchell Meteor” and the “Stratford Streak” for his extraordinary speed, Morenz joined the Montreal Canadiens after a slightly ruthless coaxing by Canadiens’ owner Leo Dandurand. He was a star with his midgets and junior teams and carried that star power to the Habs scoring 13 goals and 3 assists in 24 games his rookie season. Howie played 14 seasons in the NHL with the Canadiens (1923-1934, 1936-37), the Chicago Blackhawks (1935-36) and the New York Rangers (1935-36). He scored 20 or more goals in seven of his 14 seasons, topping the 40-goal mark once and leading the league once in goals in 1927-28. He also led the league twice in total points that seasons and again three years later. He won his first of three Hart Trophies that season as well, and then won twice more in 1931 and 1932. Howie was named to the NHL All-Star First Team in 1931 and 1932. Morenz thrived during the postseason as well, leading the league four times in games played and twice in goals, assists and playoff points. Howie Morenz finished his career with 271 career goals and 201 assists for a total of 472 points in 550 games. He also scored 13 goals and 9 assists in 39 playoff games. Howie Morenz was an inaugural inductee of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945. In 1950, Howie was voted the outstanding player of the half-century. Howie Morenz died at the age of 34 due to complications following a leg injury suffered in a game.
