Member-only story

The Hockey Legend Who Built the Bruins: A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation

Kelly Blair

·13.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Art Ross: The Hockey Legend Who Built The Bruins

5 min read

1.3k View Claps

81 Respond

Save

Listen

In the annals of hockey history, few names stand as tall as Art Ross. As a player, coach, and general manager, Ross left an enduring legacy on the sport, particularly with the Boston Bruins, whom he helped transform into a perennial contender.

Art Ross: The Hockey Legend Who Built the Bruins

by Eric Zweig

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3866 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages

Early Life and Playing Career

Arthur Howe Ross was born on January 13, 1886, in Naughton, Ontario, Canada. His childhood was marked by poverty and hardship, but Ross found solace in the game of hockey.

Ross began his professional hockey career in 1908 with the Cobalt Silver Kings of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). He quickly established himself as a skilled forward, known for his speed, agility, and scoring prowess.

In 1911, Ross joined the Boston Bruins of the newly formed National Hockey Association (NHA). The Bruins were a struggling franchise, but Ross's arrival brought a new level of excitement and success.

The Birth of a Dynasty

Ross quickly became a star for the Bruins, leading the league in scoring in four of his first five seasons. In 1919, he was named the league's first scoring champion and awarded the Art Ross Trophy, which is still awarded annually to the NHL's leading scorer.

Off the ice, Ross was equally influential. In 1924, he became the Bruins' player-coach, a role that he would hold for the next seven seasons. Under Ross's leadership, the Bruins became a dominant force in the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups in five years.

Innovations and Legacy

Ross was not only a great player and coach, but also a brilliant innovator. He is credited with introducing several key changes to the game of hockey, including:

The forward pass
The blue line
The penalty shot
The offside rule

These innovations helped to make hockey a faster, more exciting, and more strategic game.

Ross's legacy extends beyond his playing and coaching achievements. He was also a successful general manager, shaping the Bruins' roster for many years.

Retirement and Hall of Fame

Ross retired from hockey in 1939 at the age of 53. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945, and his number, 4, was retired by the Bruins in 1952.

Art Ross passed away on August 5, 1964, at the age of 78. He is remembered as one of the greatest players, coaches, and innovators in the history of hockey. His contributions to the game helped to shape its modern-day identity, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of hockey players and fans.

To delve deeper into the life and career of Art Ross, here are some recommended sources: