Milt Schmidt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milt Schmidt |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1961 | |||
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| Born | March 5, 1918 Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | January 4, 2017 (aged 98) Westwood, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins | ||
| Playing career | 1936–1942 1945–1955 |
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Milton Conrad Schmidt (born March 5, 1918 – died January 4, 2017) was a famous Canadian ice hockey player. He was a skilled "centre," which is a key position in hockey. Milt spent most of his career with the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was also a coach and a general manager for the team. Milt Schmidt was so good that he was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. In 2017, he was even named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' ever!
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Milt Schmidt's Early Life
Milt Schmidt grew up in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. He went to King Edward Public School there. When he was 14, he left high school to work. He needed to help his family because his father was too sick to work. Milt got a job at a shoe factory. He earned 18 cents an hour, which was a lot for him back then.
Even while working, Milt kept playing junior hockey. He played for teams like the Kitchener Empires and Kitchener Greenshirts. Milt was childhood friends with two other future Hall of Fame players, Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer.
Playing Hockey for the Bruins
Joining the Boston Bruins
Milt Schmidt, along with his friends Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer, played junior hockey in Kitchener. The Boston Bruins team bought the rights to all three players in 1935. After playing a bit more junior hockey and some time with the Providence Reds, Milt joined the Bruins in 1937. He quickly showed he was a tough centre. He was also great at handling the stick and setting up plays for his teammates.
The Famous Kraut Line
Milt, Bauer, and Dumart played together on the same line for the Bruins. They were known as the "Kraut Line." This line was very strong and reliable for the Bruins for about 15 years. They helped the Bruins win the regular season title and the Stanley Cup in 1939. The Stanley Cup is the biggest trophy in hockey.
The next season, Milt became a true star. He led the entire league in scoring points. He also helped the Bruins finish first again. In 1941, Milt led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup win. That was their second Cup in just three years!
Serving in World War II
After their success, the Bruins team faced a big change. World War II began, and many players joined the military. Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer, and Woody Dumart all joined the Canadian military. Their superstar goalie, Frank Brimsek, joined the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Kraut Line played hockey for the Ottawa RCAF team. They even won the Allan Cup before going overseas. Milt, Bauer, and Dumart missed three important NHL seasons because they were serving in the war.
Returning to the NHL
Milt Schmidt came back to the Bruins for the 1946 season. He quickly returned to his star-level playing. In 1947, he finished fourth in league scoring. In 1951, Milt was named the team captain. That same year, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the league's most valuable player.
Milt Schmidt retired as a player during the 1954–1955 season. He then took on a new role as the team's head coach.
Milt Schmidt as Coach and Manager
Coaching the Bruins
Milt Schmidt coached the Bruins until 1966, with a short break. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in both 1957 and 1958. He also worked as the Bruins' assistant general manager.
Building a Championship Team
After coaching for 11 seasons, Milt became the Bruins' general manager in 1967. This was a big time for the NHL, as six new teams joined the league. Milt proved to be a great leader in this new era. He found and drafted many key players. He built a Bruins team that won two more Stanley Cups, in 1970 and 1972.
One of his biggest moves was a huge trade. He brought Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield to Boston from the Chicago Blackhawks. This trade helped the Bruins become a powerhouse team.
Working for the Washington Capitals
After many years with the Bruins, Milt Schmidt left the team. On April 20, 1973, he became the first General Manager for a new team, the Washington Capitals. Unfortunately, the Capitals had a very tough first season in 1974–75. They finished with the worst record in the NHL that year.
Milt Schmidt's Retirement and Legacy
Milt Schmidt was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. His jersey number, 15, was retired by the Bruins. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. After he retired from hockey management, Milt stayed involved with the Bruins. He worked with the team's alumni (former players) and managed a club at the Boston Garden.
On October 6, 2010, the Bruins celebrated Milt's 75 years with the team. It was called "Milt Schmidt Night." He received special miniature Stanley Cups. He also personally helped raise his number 15 jersey to the rafters of the TD Garden arena. Milt was the last living member of the Bruins' 1939 and 1941 Stanley Cup winning teams. He was also the last living NHL player who played in the 1930s.
On October 20, 2016, Milt Schmidt and Bobby Orr dropped the ceremonial puck at the Bruins' first home game of the season.
Milt Schmidt's Passing
Milt Schmidt passed away on January 4, 2017, at the age of 98. He died after a stroke in Westwood, Massachusetts. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former NHL player. He was also the last living player from the very first season of the AHL. Milt Schmidt is buried with his wife in Dover, Massachusetts.
Tributes to Milt Schmidt
After Milt Schmidt's death, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman shared a special message. He said that it would be hard to find anyone who was prouder to be a Boston Bruin than Milt. He served the team, the city of Boston, and the NHL for over 80 years as a player, executive, and ambassador. Bettman added that Milt respected the game and was humble. Other players and opponents also respected him greatly.
Milt Schmidt's Awards and Achievements
- He won the Stanley Cup twice as a player with Boston (1939 and 1941).
- He won the Stanley Cup twice as a general manager with Boston (1970 and 1972).
- He scored 229 goals and made 346 assists, for a total of 575 points in 776 games.
- When he retired, he was fourth in NHL history for points scored and third for assists.
- He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1940, 1947, and 1951.
- He was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1952.
- He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1947, 1948, 1951, and 1952.
- He won the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1996 for his contributions to hockey.
- He was the last active NHL player who played during the 1930s.
- In 1998, The Hockey News ranked him number 27 on their list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
- He won the Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player) in 1951.
- He was the NHL Scoring Champion in 1940.
- He was the first former player to win a Stanley Cup with the same team as their general manager (1970).
- In January 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.
