gold star for USAHOF

Toe Blake

Considered a legend in coaching, it is forgotten just how good a Hockey player that Toe Blake was. He broke in with the Montreal Maroons, but after only playing a handful of games there, he joined the cross town Montreal Canadians and slowly worked his way up the ladder to stardom. Toe’s skills improved and he was rewarded with the Hart Trophy in 1939 and that year was his first of three post season First Team All Star spots. A couple of years later Blake was put on the “Punch Line” with Maurice Richard and Elmer Lach and he remained a consistent producer. “Old Lamplighter” would also become the Canadians Captain for eight seasons.