Hainsworth began his career in the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) with the Saskatoon Sheiks in 1924. He quickly established himself as one of the best goaltenders in the league, leading the Sheiks to the WCHL championship in 1925. He was then signed by the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL in 1926.
Hainsworth was an immediate success in the NHL, setting a record for the lowest goals against average (GAA) in a single season with a 0.98 GAA in 1928-29. He also won the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the goaltender with the lowest GAA, in three consecutive seasons from 1928-29 to 1930-31.
In addition to his individual success, Hainsworth was also part of a successful Canadiens team. He helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in 1930 and 1931, and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1932.
Hainsworth left the Canadiens in 1933 and spent the next four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He retired in 1937 after playing in 468 NHL games.
Hainsworth was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 and was named one of the NHL's 100 Greatest Players in 2017. He is remembered as one of the greatest goaltenders of his era and one of the best in NHL history.
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