125: Art Ross - NHL

Sports' Forgotten Heroes

Art Ross is a true hockey legend. Not only was he a superb player before and during the formative years of the NHL, but he was also an innovator. In fact, many of Ross's innovations are still evident in today's game, beginning with the puck. But, it was on the ice where Ross made a name for himself. A tough and rugged defenseman, Ross was one of the top 2 or 3 players on the ice when hockey was in its pre-NHL days. Ross bounced around from team to team (many factors went into his choice on where to play every year) in Western Canada and in the East as well. The most recognizable team he played for was the Montreal Maroons. And, while Ross did play in the NHL, it wasn't for long (1917-1818 with the Montreal Wanderers) as he was ready to retire just as the NHL got going. But, Ross was still very much associated with the league as he became coach of the Boston Bruins for the 1924-25 season - and that's where a majority of his legend was born. Ross coached the Bruins for 17 different seasons and won the Stanley Cup with Boston twice (1928-29 & 1938-39). He also made major contributions to the game and the Bruins in upper management. Hockey was Ross's life and in the book, "Art Ross, The Hockey Legend Who Built The Bruins," author Eric Zweig covers it all. On this episode of SFH, Eric joins the podcast to talk about Art's innovations, his career on the ice, behind the bench and much of his life (whatever there was of it) off the ice.