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THE REGULAR SEASON

It’s back to the future for the 1936-37 season, as Cecil Hart returns behind the bench after a slew of predecessors coached the Canadiens during his four-year absence.

On September 1, a few weeks before the beginning of the season, the Canadiens also bring back their former star, Howie Morenz. After two years with Chicago and the New York Rangers, he is back with Aurele Joliat and Johnny Gagnon and the Habs’ top line is reunited. While he is no longer the player he once was when he dominated the league, Morenz remains a fan favorite in Montreal.

Ten days later, Babe Siebert joins the Canadiens in a three-player trade and is named team captain. The moves clearly give the team’s fans hopes of brighter things to come.

After fashioning a solid 13-9-2 record in the first half of the season, the Canadiens suffer a swoon that begins on January 28 as Morenz suffers a broken left leg when his skate gets stuck in the boards and an opposing player falls on him.

Hospitalized for weeks with his left leg in traction, Morenz’s health takes a turn for the worse. On March 8, Montrealers are stunned to learn of Morenz’s death from complications that remain a mystery.

The Canadiens hold an open casket vigil at the Forum and more than 200,000 people mourn the death of their hero during his funeral procession three days later.

With a 10-point lead over the Maroons atop the Canadian Division at the time of Morenz’s injury, the Canadiens struggle the rest of the way and win just six of their final 18 games. They go 1-5-2 in the wake of Morenz’s death yet still manage to finish one point ahead of the rival Maroons.

Gagnon leads the team in scoring with 36 points, four ahead of Joliat. Newcomer Siebert, with 28 points as a converted defenseman, wins the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.