Sylvio Mantha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sylvio Mantha |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1960 | |||
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| Born | April 14, 1902 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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| Died | August 7, 1974 (aged 72) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 173 lb (78 kg; 12 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins |
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| Playing career | 1923–1937 | ||
Joseph Sylvio Theobald Mantha (born April 14, 1902 – died August 7, 1974) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was a great defence player. Sylvio played for 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins. In 1960, he was chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Many people thought he was one of the best players who could both defend and score.
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Early Hockey Days
Sylvio Mantha started playing hockey in 1919. He began as a right winger for the Notre Dame de Grace Juniors team. Later, he played for other local teams in Montreal. These teams included Verdun, Imperial Tobacco, and Northern Electric. He also played a few games for the Montreal Nationales. After showing his skills, the Montreal Canadiens signed him in December 1923.
Playing in the NHL
The Canadiens first used Mantha as a forward. But soon, they moved him to play defence. This was because their older defence players were getting older. Sylvio didn't play much in his first season. However, he got more time on the ice later. He helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup championship in 1924!
Becoming a Star Player
After some older players left, Mantha became a very important player. In 1927, he was named the team captain. He played defence with Herb Gardiner. They became the main defence pair for the Canadiens. Sylvio got hurt in the playoffs that year. But he recovered and scored a big goal for Montreal.
Later, he played with a new defence partner, Battleship Leduc. On November 20, 1928, Mantha scored the very first goal ever in the new Boston Garden. This helped the Canadiens win 1–0 against the Boston Bruins. Sylvio even got to play with his brother, Georges, who was a new forward for Montreal. For many seasons, Sylvio played defence with Marty Burke.
Winning More Stanley Cups
The 1929–30 season was amazing for Montreal. They won their second Stanley Cup with Mantha on the team. They played against the Boston Bruins in the finals. The Bruins were a very strong team that year. But Mantha scored two goals in the series. This helped the Canadiens win the championship! That season, Sylvio had his best year for goals, assists, and points. He was one of the top defence players in the league.
In 1930–31, the NHL started naming All-Star Teams. Mantha was chosen for the Second Team All-Star on defence. He was known for being a great defensive player. He was also named captain of the team again in 1934.
Player and Coach
In the 1934 season, Mantha even filled in as coach for two games. He did well! He was starting to play less as a player. So, for the 1935–36 NHL season, he became the full-time player-coach. But it was a tough season for Montreal. They finished in last place and missed the playoffs. After that, the Canadiens let him go as both a coach and a player.
In 1937, the Boston Bruins signed Mantha. They needed a player because their star, Eddie Shore, was injured. Sylvio played only four games for Boston. He broke a bone in his elbow. He realized he could no longer play at a high level. So, he decided to retire from playing hockey.
Life After Playing
After retiring as a player, Sylvio Mantha worked as a linesman and referee. He worked for both the American Hockey League and the NHL. But traveling all the time was hard for him. So, he started coaching junior league teams in Montreal.
He coached several teams, including the Montreal Concordias and Verdun Maple Leafs. During this time, Mantha helped a young player named Bernie Geoffrion. Bernie later became a famous Hall of Famer. Sylvio saw Bernie play when he was only 14 years old. He helped him join a team linked to the Canadiens.
Sylvio Mantha was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1960. He passed away in Montreal in August 1974.
Today, there are hockey arenas named after him and his brother Georges Mantha. They are called the Georges and Sylvio Mantha Arenas. They are part of a recreation complex in Montreal.
