Thomas Franklin Ahearn (Thomas Franklin Ahearn) or Frank Ahearn (May 10, 1886 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – November 17, 1962) was a NHL hockey club owner and a Canadian Member of Parliament. He was survived by his wife Norah, who lived until January 20, 1966.
Mr. Ahearn became involved with the Ottawa Senators in the period when they won three Stanley Cups in four years between 1920 and 1923. In 1924 he bought out majority owner Tommy Gorman. In 1926-27, the Senators won the Cup with one of the most impressive rosters ever assembled. This imposing collection included Jack Adams, King Clancy, Alex Connell, Cy Denneny, Frank Finnigan, Hec Kilrea, Frank Nighbor and Hooley Smith.
Winning the Stanley Cup was the last hurrah for the franchise. Due a combination of the Great Depression and the smaller population of Ottawa, the club lost money every year after, leading the club to suspend operations for one year, move home games to other cities, and finally move to St. Louis, Missouri to operate as the Eagles. After one season in St. Louis, the club sought to suspend operations again and was turned down by the league. Finally, on October 15, 1935, the Eagles and their players were bought out by the NHL, dispersing the players to other NHL teams and suspending the franchise, with a promise to pass along the proceeds if the franchise was resold.[1] (The franchise would be reinstated eventually in 1992) In the years of his owning the Ottawa Senators, his losses were over $200,000, a loss he said he never regretted.
Mr. Ahearn was the son of Thomas Ahearn, a prominent Ottawa citizen who owned Ottawa Electric and the famous Ottawa Electric Streetcar Line.
Like his father, Ahearn was involved in Canadian politics, and was elected to the House of Commons in 1930 and 1935.
He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962 as a builder. He was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1966. He died in 1962, and was interred in Beechwood Cemetery.[2]
| Parliament of Canada | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Gordon Cameron Edwards |
Member of Parliament for Ottawa (City of) 1930–1935 |
Succeeded by Electoral district was abolished |
| Preceded by None |
Member of Parliament for Ottawa West 1935–1940 |
Succeeded by George J. McIlraith |