Well, I went searching for Connell artifacts from the 20's and posted my conclusions...pretty unimpressive relatively speaking...so in fairness, I looked into the 30's...
Shot totals from deciding game (Game 3) for 1935 Finals: Hainsworth stopped 24 in the loss (7-12-5); Connell stopped 18 in the win (6-9-3). Montreal won 4-1
In the Montreal Gazette, Connell receives some praise but it falls in line with the praise the entire team gets. Says the defense was what prevented this team from being an also-ran. Following the victory, the long article kind of goes piece by piece through the team and describes it. When it gets to Connell, he shares of paragraph...
Alex [sic] Connell, the "Ottawa Fireman," and Cy Wentworth...shared the limelight. Each has been a veritable colossus on the Maroon defence since the series started and both showed themselves to be money players par excellence. Connell turned in equally as fine a game as last Saturday when he single handed held out the Leafs until the Maroons throw their scoring machine into high gear and once theie offensive was launched it was old Cy who crashed through the Leaf defences for the important tallies.
- Montreal Gazette, Apr. 10, 1935.
So praise of Connell, but in the context of the whole article, it's not as if he was the Conn Smythe winner, so to speak. I know it sounds like I'm taking away from him, but I have nothing against him at all. In fact, like I've said, I'm rooting for him, I want to find a treasure trove on him. But I can only report on what I actually find...
It sounds odd, but I find it strange that they didn't really single him out to start..."
Each has been...
both showed themselves..."
For reference, Cy Wentworth gets his own paragraph praising his play next, then Baldy Northcott gets his own soon after. Ward, Hooley Smith follow suit thereafter.
However, Connell is listed as one of the four best players in the series.
Almost every Stanley Cup series produces a hero and a goat. There was none of the latter as the Leafs went down to gallant, but hopeless defeat at Maroons hands last night but for Maroons, great honors were won by more than one player.
Of all the Maroons, however, biggest share of the credit for the winning of the Cup went to Alex [sic] Connell, the comeback hero of the 1934-35 season; to Cy Wentworth, the hard-playing defenceman; and to Baldy Northcott and Dave Trottier, hard-shooting wingers.
Then more talk of Northcott and Wentworth follows...I'd say at least Connell was mentioned first, but the article has made it a point in other parts to talk about the roster "in order" - goalie, defence, forwards...so I'm not sure whether to read a lot into it or not...
Towards the bottom of another article on the front page, Connell is mentioned...
Finally, Bill Thoms poked home the equalizer, scored from a scuffle as Buzz Boll got the puck out from the corner of the net. Connell had stopped harder shots but it was the in the books that the Leafs would get one. No man, not even the shutout king of the National Hockey League, could have withstood that bombardment indefinitely.
From Game 1 of the 1935 SC Finals:
First check this out...ice time figures from the game!
As you can see, the shots were 39-21 in favor of Maroons (Connell saves by period: 9-4-6-0; Hainsworth: 15-8-9-4). The score was 3-2 Maroons in OT.
Gorman called the Montrealers the best he has ever piloted. "When they want open hockey, our team gives it to them," he said between rushes. "When they want defensive hockey, we have that too. What a team, what a team."
The Gormanites took almost as much punishment from back-slaps in the dressing-room as they did on the ice.
...
If a count of bodychecks had been kept the second period probably would have set an all-time record.
...
Some thought Cy Wentworth's goal should not have been allowed because of the pile-up on George Hainsworth. ... Chums since boyhood days in Ottawa, Alex [sic] Connell of Maroons and King Clancy shook hands warmly at the finish. It was a good night for them both. Clancy scored a goal and Connell out-pointed the Leafs.
--Maroons Score First--
Robinson shot the red team in front early in the second period, catching Russ Blinco's pass from a face-off. He was directly in front of the Toronto cage and had only to pick an open spot. Ten minutes later Frank Finnigan jammed the rebound of his own shot past Alex [sic] Connell and squared the count. Connell, who had wobbled a couple of times in handling long shots, missed Clancy's knee-high drive altogether. The King let it go as he piled into Lionel Conacher on the Montreal defence and the netman failed to see the puck at all. That made it 2-1 for Toronto.
...
Maroons paid strict attention to checking and the Leafs failed to get anywhere until the lines changed and Charlie Conacher raced in after taking Primeau's pass. The big winger missed the puck completely when he tried to shoot. After some fiddling about in the centre zone, Bill Thoms unexpectedly fired at Connell from the blue line. The puck struck Connell's skate and landed safely outside. The crowd groaned.
...A minute later Hollett made a great end to end dash, beating the big train cold. Connell blocked his backhand shot and also turned back Hec Kilrea's smash at the rebound. ...It was not very thrilling hockey because Maroons, alert and strong everywhere, checked and checked and checked.
...
Charlie Conacher got int he first serious blow of the third period, driving a low backhand shot that Connell took on his leg pads. ... The checking became tight again. The heavy body-checking departed as neither team wanted to take a chance on getting penalties.
---
In game 2 of the '35 Finals the saves went like this: 42 for Connell (21-12-9) and 16 for Hainsworth (8-4-4) in a Maroons 3-1 win.
--Connell is Immense.--
Over this two-period stretch Alex [sic] connell, the netman Gorman brought out of the quiet retirement of an Ottawa fire-hall office last fall stopped the Leafs single-handed. Thomas Patrick scored one of his biggest victories in strategy on the last line of defence. The pale-faced Connell, veteran of 13 big-league seasons, waded into the fury of the Toronto attack to the extent of blocking 21 shots in a wild and one-sided first period. Three Montreal penalties only made him work harder and rise to greater heights. When the period was ended his team led, 1-0.
In a different piece, same paper, same day.
Montreal Maroons demonstrated almost beyond any question of doubt., that they are superior to Toronto Maple Leafs in all positions from net to bench. Winning the first two games of the Stanley Cup series from the Leafs, both ont he latter's home ice, is convincing enough. Of course, there is the possibility that the Leafs may win three successive games but it is so remote that President Frank Calder of the NHL would be safe in handling the silver mug over to Senator Raymond, president of the Forum Company without further ado.
If the Leafs lose this series, and there's every prospect of them doing that, it will be the third year in succession that they reached the Stanley Cup Finals only to be knocked off when they were pronounced favorites.
[talks about excuses why the Leafs failed in the recent past...but says there's no excuse this time...then gives a reason]
One of the reasons for the Leafs' two defeats by Maroons is that their siege guns, Jackson, on the left wing, and Charlie Conacher, on right wing, were held in almost complete subjection by the Maroon forwards. ... All of the Maroons have played well, but their outstanding star has been Alex [sic] Connell in the nets. The latter's play has been little short of sensational.
So, if I have it right...in the '35 Finals, the goalie stats read like this:
Alec Connell (MTM): 3-0, 1.30 GAA, .952 save pct., 0 SO
George Hainsworth (TOR): 0-3, 3.24 GAA, .884 save pct., 0 SO
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In October 1931, Ottawa dispersed Connell, Alex Smith (D) and Hec Kilrea (F), sent them to Detroit where they were due to received diminished salaries. (EDIT: as overpass notes, Ottawa suspended operations at this point...players being dispersed was normal to say the least)
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A thoughtful retirement article for Alex [sic] Connell from the Ottawa Citizen - Oct. 20, 1937 - highlights:
One of the greatest goaltenders in recent history of professional hockey has decided to call it a day. Speaking to The Citizen last night, Alex [sic] Connell definitely announced his retirement from the sport in which he starred for fourteen National Hockey League seasons, during the course of which he was a member of two Stanley Cup-winning teams.
[article breaks down his career in segments, then gets to 34-35]...That was one of the greatest seasons in Connell's career and he was acclaimed as the main reason why the Montrealers marched to the hockey heights. This was the second consecutive year that Gorman had piloted a Stanley Cup aggregation...
...Last year he rejoined Maroons and played for them until along in February, when he was ordered to take a rest and the netminding job was turned over to Bill Beveridge. The pudgy Ottawan continued to play great hockey for Maroons and Connell was not recalled to service, although he was with the club.
That's the most promise I've seen from an article yet and it's a retirement piece. Still something positive at least...
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In October 1936, an article mentions that Connell is the greatest...practical joker in professional hockey.
"With his contract signed, he limped into Gorman's office a couple of days ago. He carried a crutch and calmly told T.P. he had fallen from a truck and that it was 'sure nice to have a signed a contract.'"
Connell was signed for $20,000 in Oct. of '36 (any other figures available from that time?)
Just on accident, I stumbled upon a New York Times article from Oct. 1932 that mentioned John Ross Roach, "considered one of the best goalies in the National Hockey League" - not the first time I've seen that on Roach.
Another article that refers to Connell being swept in a housecleaning maneuver, says Roach is "one of the outstanding goalies of the National League since 1921"
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Ottawa Citizen - Jan. 17, 1933 --
Again commenting on the Maroons' alleged offer to buy Alec Connell's contract Mr. Ahearn said. "I repeat that the Montreal Maroons have been able at any time in the past two weeks to make a bid for Connell's contract and they have not done so. They did bid for Chuck Gardiner's contract from Chicago, but balked at the $25,000 price in American funds which was asked. We are placing $10,000 value on Connell's contract and believe we are acting moderately in view of Chicago's valuation on Gardiner. But I repeat that Mr. Strachan is just kidding the Montreal public, and hasn't made a real offer for Connell at all. He has not even bothered to enter into a discussion with us over the price.
In reply to Mr. Strachan's query why the Ottawa team does not try Connell out in the nets again. Mr. Ahearn exclaimed. "Strachan must know that it is impossible to put Connell back in the nets while Beveridge is playing such a phenomenal game - the idea of 'trying Connell out' is just pure cheek. Nobody needs to try Connell out - he's in perfect shape and just as good as he was when he was hurt. He was playing wonderful hockey then too" the Ottawa prexy stated.
Gardiner was coming off of a 1st team all-star berth in 1932 and was in the midst of a 2nd team all-star season in 1933 and was valued well over Connell (2.5x) who was coming off of a season where he finished 2nd in GAA and 3rd in shutouts with Detroit...it's unclear exactly what the comparison was between Connell/Beveridge at the time, other than it's clear that Beveridge had usurped the starting role.
Another article talks of the potential transfer: (Border Cities Star - Jan. 18, 1933)
Ottawa Senators offered Alex [sic] Connell, veteran Senators goaler, to the Montreal Maroons on an outright sale for $10,000, James Strachan, president of the Maroons of the [NHL], announced here yesterday. In the dickering that followed the Maroons offered to take Connell till the end of the season with an option to buy if he made good, it was learned. Ottawa agreed to allow him a few weeks' trial on that basis but the Maroons did not favor the scheme. Maroons offered to take Connell for the season and to pay his salary till the end of the year, it was learned. Negotiations are proceeding.
Sounds like Maroons just wanted to take him as a salary dump instead.
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On another comeback bid by Connell, he's up against Lorne Chabot...(The Leader-Post Oct. 17, 1936)
Manager Tommy Gorman of Montreal Maroons...said last night he had definitely decided to use Alex [sic] Connell, of Ottawa, as his net-minder this season. Consequently, Lorne Chabot, another veteran goalkeeper Maroons carry at present, may become a reserve for the NHL. Gorman announced he sought arrangements to have the league take over the veteran's contract. The league has not had a reserve goalie since Wilf Cude occupied that position in 1933.
Ok, so better than 36-year-old Lorne Chabot at the time. Chabot was a 1st team All-Star in 1935 for Chicago.
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On his game with the Americans. Saskatoon Star-Phoenix - Mar. 17, 1934
Connell stepped back into an active role in spectacular fashion last night in Ottawa when he replaced the injured Roy Worters and helped defeat his own teammates and may be between the posts for Rangers as the champions make their bid for a second straight Stanley Cup. It was indicated tonight both Montreal clubs would support Patrick's request. Canadiens let it be known they would have no objections to Rangers using Connell.
The reference to the Rangers (not the Americans) is because Andy Aitkenhead had a nervous breakdown and they were going to use Connell as a replacement, but it never materialized - at least not that I'm aware of.
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Montreal Gazette - Oct. 30 said:
Alex [sic] Connell, humorous little Ottawa Fire Department secretary, who defied the old adage and "came back" last season, and Herb Cain, young and promising left-winger are missing from the club with little prospect they will rejoin before the first whistle is blown next month.
Connell, whose sensational goaltending carried Maroons to many an victory in the last Cup chase has retired to give all his time to his duties at Ottawa, while Cain remained at home in Hamilton when he and Maroons could not see eye to eye on his salary.
In goal, Billy Beveridge, young, serious netminder of Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Eagles, will replace "Old Poker-face." Beveridge has made a hit in training camp but how he measures up to the Connell standard remains to be seen. Certainly he has never in his career had such a hard-hitting, robust defence before him as Maroons will provide.
He has a job on his hands. It was Connell's fighting spirit that pulled Maroons through the tough series with Chicago Black Hawks last year. He pleaded with his mates for "just one goal" in a pep talk, promising to shut the Hawks out. Maroons won the series on Baldy Northcott's overtime goal as Connell kept his word.
Gorman is banking on his "red line" of Hooley Smith at centre, Baldy Northcott at left wing and Jimmy Ward at right. These veterans rose to the heights last spring to hold in check two of the most famous lines in hockey in the playoffs - New York Rangers' Cook-Boucher-Cook trio and Toronto's "Kid Line."
A shade less brilliant defensively but dangerous attackers, the "blue line" of Earl Robinson at right, Russell Blinco at centre and Dave Trottier at left will fire speed at all opposition. The trio was one of the high scoring lines in the league last year.
Sorry for the long post...but I like to give context too, not just snippets if I can help it...
Technology!
