1952 NHL Season
6 teams competed during the regular season
Detroit Red Wings defeated Montreal Canadiens for the championship
League President
RetroSeasons
RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
National Hockey League (NHL)
1951-52 NHL Season Overview
For the fourth straight year, the Detroit Red Wings finished in first place. Gordie Howe won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player and goalie Terry Sawchuk won the Vezina Trophy. Two other Red Wings, defenseman Red Kelly and Howe's linemate, Ted Lindsay, were named to the All-NHL first team.
Even though Rocket Richard missed most of the season with injuries, Montreal finished second, thanks mainly to a pair of rookies. Bernie 'Boom Boom' Geoffrion scored 30 goals to win the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie and Dickie Moore, called up from the minors after mid-season, posted 33 points in just 33 games.
Sawchuk was brilliant in the playoffs, as Detroit swept Toronto and Montreal to win the Stanley Cup. In the eight games, Sawchuk had four shutouts, all in Detroit, and he gave up a total of just 5 goals.