Babe Siebert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Babe Siebert
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1964
Born	(1904-01-14)January 14, 1904 Plattsville, Ontario, Canada
Died	August 25, 1939(1939-08-25) (aged 35) Lake Huron, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	182 lb (83 kg; 13 st 0 lb)
Position	Left wing/Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Montreal Maroons New York Rangers Boston Bruins Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1925–1939

Charles Albert "Babe" Siebert (January 14, 1904 – August 25, 1939) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was known as "Babe." He played as a left winger and defenceman for 14 seasons. Babe played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams. These teams were the Montreal Maroons, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Montreal Canadiens.

Babe Siebert won the Stanley Cup twice. First, he won it with the Maroons in 1926. He was also part of the famous "S Line" with the Maroons. He won his second Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1933. Siebert was a strong forward who played with a lot of energy. Later in his career, he became a great defenceman after joining the Bruins. He was chosen as an all-star three times. In 1937, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player while playing for the Canadiens.

After retiring as a player in 1939, Siebert was named the head coach of the Canadiens. Sadly, he never coached a game. He drowned in Lake Huron before the 1939–40 NHL season began. The league organized a special all-star game to help his family. This game raised $15,000 for them. Babe Siebert was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Babe Siebert was born in Plattsville, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Zurich, near Lake Huron. From a young age, he loved hockey and played almost every day. He started playing junior hockey in Kitchener. Even though his older brothers teased him for his simple style, he was very strong. He used his size to get past opponents.

In 1922, Siebert joined the Kitchener Greenshirts. He helped them win the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and eastern Canadian junior championships in 1922–23. They played in the Memorial Cup final but lost. After playing senior hockey in Kitchener, he moved to the Niagara Falls Cataracts. He won another OHA senior championship with them in 1924–25.

Playing in the NHL

Joining the Montreal Maroons

Babe Siebert signed with the Montreal Maroons in 1925. He started his professional career that same year. He scored 16 goals, which was the second-highest on his team. The Maroons finished second in the NHL standings. They won the NHL championship by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ottawa Senators in the playoffs. Siebert helped the Maroons win the 1926 Stanley Cup Finals against the Victoria Cougars.

The Famous "S Line"

In the 1926–27 season, Hooley Smith joined the Maroons. Siebert, Smith, and Nels Stewart formed a powerful line called the "S Line." They became one of the best scoring lines in the NHL. Stewart was the main goal scorer, and Smith was great at passing. Siebert used his strength and speed to move the puck out of their own zone. He also created space for his teammates.

Siebert played with a lot of intensity. Sometimes, this led to disagreements on the ice. For example, in December 1927, he was suspended after a heated moment with Billy Boucher of the New York Americans.

Moving to New York and Boston

The 1931–32 was Siebert's best season for scoring points. He had 39 points, ranking eighth in the league. This was his last season with the Maroons. The team was having money problems and sold him to the New York Rangers. He won his second Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1933. However, he didn't score as much that season.

In the 1933–34 season, Siebert was traded to the Boston Bruins. He was traded for Vic Ripley and Roy Burmeister. This trade brought him back together with his former "S Line" teammate, Nels Stewart.

Switch to Defence and MVP Season

After a teammate, Eddie Shore, was suspended, Bruins coach Art Ross made a big change. He moved Siebert from left wing to defence. This change made Siebert's career even better. He had a fantastic comeback season in 1934–35. He often stayed on the ice for entire games, becoming a key player for Boston. Siebert later said he never lost his skill. He felt his previous coach didn't use him correctly.

Siebert and Shore were a strong defence pair, even though they didn't get along off the ice. In the 1935–36 season, Siebert was named a first team all-star. However, the Bruins thought his career was slowing down. They traded him to the Montreal Canadiens after the season.

Captain of the Canadiens

When Siebert joined the Canadiens, he was immediately named the team's captain. He stayed captain until he retired. In his first season with the Canadiens, Siebert was selected as an all-star again. He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. He earned his third all-star selection in the 1937–38 season. Siebert had some injuries in his final season. He announced his retirement in 1939 to become the head coach of the Canadiens.

Tragic Death and Legacy

Babe Siebert never got to coach the Canadiens. On August 25, 1939, he was on vacation with his family at Lake Huron. He was swimming with his daughters and drowned while trying to get an inflatable toy. His death shocked the hockey world. His friends and former teammates praised his character and playing ability. They said his death was a great loss to hockey.

At the time, Siebert was visiting his cottage to celebrate his father's 80th birthday. He loved spending time with his daughters, Judy (11) and Joan (10), who saw what happened. His death created a financial challenge for his family. He had spent most of his money on medical care for his wife, Bernice, who was unable to move her lower body after complications from childbirth.

The NHL organized a special all-star game to help Siebert's wife. It was the third such benefit game in NHL history. The Montreal Canadiens played against an all-star team made up of the best players from other teams. The all-stars won the game 5–2 on October 29, 1939. Even though only 6,000 fans attended, they reached their goal of raising $15,000.

Off the ice, Siebert was a quiet family man. He was very devoted to his wife. Fans at the Montreal Forum often saw him carry his wife to her seat before every home game. He would also carry her out afterward. At home, he did the housework his wife couldn't do. Because of this, he was very popular with both players and fans.

Babe Siebert was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964. He is also an honored member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.

Career Statistics

Statistics sourced from NHL.com.

See Also

• Captain (hockey)
• List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame