Record of the Week: Conn Smythe

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the death of Conn Smythe at the age of 85. Smythe was known to Torontonians and the rest of the hockey world as the builder of the New York Rangers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Maple Leaf Gardens. The Gardens was still a brand new arena in 1932 when Smythe wrote to Archbishop McNeil offering him a private box in which to watch the opening lacrosse game that evening.

Letter from Conn Smythe to Abp. McNeil,
May 3, 1932

MN AH21.42
Archbishop McNeil fonds

Smythe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1958. The Conn Smythe Trophy, created in honour of Smythe's contribution to hockey, has been presented annually to the most valuable player for his team in the Stanley Cup playoffs since 1965. Indoor lacrosse, also known as box lacrosse or boxla, replaced the field version of the game in the 1930s and is the official sport of the Canadian Lacrosse Association.