Howarth “Howie” Morenz is often referred to as hockey’s first bona fide superstar. Widely regarded as the fastest skater of his era, the speedy native of Mitchell, Ontario was known as the “Mitchell Meteor” as a youngster before being anointed the “Stratford Streak” during his junior days with the Stratford Indians. The latter moniker stuck and followed Morenz to the NHL, where he would sign with the Canadiens just prior to the 1923-24 season.  Morenz wasted little time making an impact and led the Habs to the Stanley Cup in his first year with Montreal.

That proved to be only the beginning for Morenz who would go on to win a total of three Cups over his 12 seasons with the Canadiens. The shifty centerman was also a three-time Hart Trophy winner during his time with the Habs, earning league MVP honors in 1928, 1931 and 1932. Morenz also twice led the NHL in scoring, and set a career high in 1929-30 by notching a staggering 40 goals in only 44 regular season games!

After two years spent with the Rangers and Black Hawks, Morenz made a triumphant return to Montreal in time for the 1936-37 season. But to the shock of every one, Morenz would pass away on March 8, only six weeks after suffering a career-ending leg injury. But his life was soon celebrated at the Forum where his body laid in state at center-ice as thousands of fans lined the streets and crowded the arena to pay their respects to one of hockey's immortals.

Morenz had his No. 7 raised to the rafters at the Forum in 1937 and was one of the first 12 players to be inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame when it was established in 1945. In 1950, he is named most outstanding hockey player of the first half of the 20th century.