Our history - The historical website of the Montreal Canadiens

THE REGULAR SEASON

The 1932-33 season is ushered in under the winds of change, as Newsy Lalonde replaces Cecil Hart as the Canadiens’ coach. The first big star in team history, Lalonde served as the team’s player-coach from 1917 to 1922.

At the beginning of the season, general manager Leo Dandurand name Georges Hainsorth team captain with the explanation that his goalie is in the best position to maintain a dialogue with the referee because he is always on the ice. Hainsworth takes over from Sylvio Mantha and becomes the first goalie in team history to fill the role.

Lalonde’s debut behind the Habs’ bench is not without its challenges. The team gets off to a rough start to the season and wins only two of its first 10 games. Communication between Lalonde and his players is far from smooth and the new coach even has to suspend center Pit Lepine for two games at the beginning of December.

Through the first half of the season, the Canadiens find themselves in last place in the Canadian Division and Dandurand threatens to replace a few of the team’s veterans with rookies. In an effort to shake up the team, Lalonde takes Howie Morenz off the top line and replaces him with Lepine.

Hainsworth also struggles, including a game in Boston on February 21 when he allows a career-worst 10 goals against the Bruins.

Forward Aurele Joliat is one of the few bright lights for Habs fans and becomes the first player to appear in 400 games with the Canadiens. He records his 300th career point on January 12 in a game against Chicago at the Forum.

Joliat finishes the season as the team’s top scorer with 39 points, including 18 goals. Morenz and Johnny Gagnon trail him with 35 points apiece.

The Canadiens get it together in the second half of the season and finish tied with the New York Americans for third place in the division with 41 points and an 18-25-5 record. The Habs make the playoffs at the Americans’ expense by virtue of their higher number of wins.