Dick Irvin

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James Dickinson 'Dick' Irvin (Sr.) (July 19, 1892 - May 15, 1957) was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario (Limestone Ridge), he was one of the greatest players of his day, balancing a torrid slapshot and tough style with gentlemanly play. He started out by playing for the Portland Rosebuds of the PCHA and was the 4th leading scoring rookie tallying 35 goals. Following a brief stint in the Canadian Army, he turned pro and played for the Regina Capitals of the WCHL until 1926 when he entered the NHL. He was signed by the newly formed Chicago Black Hawks and made team captain, and did not disappoint as he had an impressive campaign, finishing second in the league in scoring. His second season turned to tragedy as he fractured his skull, which ultimately led to retirement a year later.

What Irvin lost as a player from his abbreviated playing career in the NHL, he more than made up for it as a coach. In his first season coaching, he led the Black Hawks, the team he retired from, to 24 wins, 15 losses and 9 ties. Upon seeing his success as a coach, Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe convinced Irvin to coach the Leafs. In his first season coaching the Leafs (the first in the brand-new Maple Leaf Gardens_, he achieved immediate success by winning the Stanley Cup. However, this success was short-lived as Irvin was unable to deliver another Cup for the Leafs during his time as coach, despite taking them to the finals six more times.

Smythe soon felt that Irvin had taken the Leafs as far as he could, and suggested to the Canadian Arena Company, owners of the then-moribund Montreal Canadiens, that they hire Irvin as coach in 1940. It was there that Irvin found his greatest success, leading the Habs to 3 Cups in 6 finals. Helped by star players Elmer Lach, Doug Harvey, goalie Bill Durnan and a young Maurice Richard, the Canadiens were just beginning to blossom as an NHL dynasty.

Irvin, however, came under fire for encouraging "goon" tactics, especially after Montreal fans rioted in protest of Richard's suspension for the 1955 playoffs. He was already well known for looking the other way when stick-swinging duels broke out in practices. Although they made it to the finals (losing to the Detroit Red Wings), internal pressure forced Irvin to step down.

At this time, he returned to the Black Hawks; however a youthful, inexperienced lineup yielded limited results. He was to coach the Black Hawks yet again in 1956-57, but he became so ill with bone cancer that he had to retire before the season.

His coaching career included 4 Stanley Cups with 693 regular season wins, results surpassed only by Al Arbour and Scotty Bowman.

He finally succumbed to cancer in 1957, a year before being elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

His son, Dick Irvin, Jr., was a noted Canadian television sports announcer.

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Preceded by:
new creation		 Chicago Blackhawks captains
1926-29		 Succeeded by:
Duke Dukowski
Preceded by:
Bill Tobin		 Head Coaches of the Chicago Blackhawks
1930-31		 Succeeded by:
Bill Tobin
Preceded by:
Art Duncan		 Head Coaches of the Toronto Maple Leafs
1931-40		 Succeeded by:
Hap Day
Preceded by:
Pit Lepine		 Head Coaches of the Montreal Canadiens
1940-55		 Succeeded by:
Toe Blake
Preceded by:
Frank Eddolls		 Head Coaches of the Chicago Blackhawks
1955-56		 Succeeded by:
Tommy Ivan
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