The 1927–28
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
season was the team's
fourth in the
NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
. The Bruins finished first in the
American Division, marking its first division title in franchise history and its second playoff appearance. The team lost in the playoffs to the eventual
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
champion
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
.
Offseason
The league adopted a goal net designed by Bruins general manager Art Ross; the so-called "Ross goal" would be the standard net into the 1980s.
Prominent newcomers included
Dutch Gainor
James Norman "Norm, Dutch" Gainor (April 10, 1904 – January 16, 1962) was a Canadian ice hockey professional forward. Gainor was most notable for playing on the Boston Bruins' 1928 "Dynamite Line" with Cooney Weiland and Dit Clapper, one of t ...
and
Dit Clapper
Aubrey Victor "Dit" Clapper (February 9, 1907 – January 20, 1978) was a Canadians, Canadian professional ice hockey player. Clapper played his entire professional career for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was inducted ...
, both of whose rights were purchased from the minor leagues, and who would make a significant impact with the Bruins down the years. The Bruins also obtained
Fred Gordon in the offseason, acquiring him from the
Detroit Cougars for
Harry Meeking
Henry Arthur "Hurricane Howie" Meeking (November 4, 1894 – December 13, 1971) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played three seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Arenas, Detroit Cougars and Boston Bruins. He was ...
, while
Red Stuart
William Roxborough "Red" Stuart (February 1, 1900 – March 7, 1978) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto St. Pats and Boston Bruins between 1920 and 1927. The rest of his car ...
was traded to Boston's
Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...
minor league team, for the rights to Gainor and
Nobby Clark.
Regular season
For the second straight season,
Harry Oliver led the Bruins in scoring, and although the team's attack was relatively anemic – the Bruins finished with 77 goals, leading only the last-place teams in both divisions, the
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
and the
New York Americans
The New York Americans, colloquially known as the Amerks, were a professional ice hockey team based in New York City from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the second to play ...
– they cut down sharply in goals allowed, leading the division behind
Hal Winkler
Harold Lang Winkler (March 20, 1894 – May 29, 1956) was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He played in the Western Canada Hockey League and National Hockey League between 1921 and 1928.
Biography
Winkler started his professional hockey career w ...
's goaltending. Eddie Shore was the team's great star, finishing just one point behind Oliver in scoring and leading the league in penalty minutes by a wide margin.
Winkler in his own turn had fifteen shutouts, tied with
Alex Connell
Alexander "The Ottawa Fireman" Connell (February 8, 1902 – May 10, 1958) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Falcons, New York Americans and Montreal Maroons teams in the National Hock ...
for the league lead and a new NHL record; Winkler's mark remains the Bruins' single-season record for shutouts, over ninety years later, and is still tied for the second-most shutouts recorded in a single season. Although veteran
Sprague Cleghorn
Henry William Sprague "Peg" Cleghorn (March 11, 1890 – July 12, 1956), also known as "The Big Train", was a Canadian professional ice hockey player from Westmount, Quebec who played 17 professional seasons between 1911 and 1929 for the Renfrew ...
was fading and missed a quarter of the season with injuries, Shore and defense partner
Lionel Hitchman
Frederick Lionel Hitchman (November 3, 1901 – January 12, 1969) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
Forming one of the greatest def ...
were ironmen, playing most of each game.
With Boston's first-place finish, the Bruins became the first team to win the
Prince of Wales Trophy
The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is a team award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL). Named for Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and then Duke of Windsor), it has been awarded for different ac ...
, awarded for the first time in this season.
Final standings
Record vs. opponents
Schedule and results
, -
, 1, , T, , November 15, 1927, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
( 1927–28) , , 0–0–1
, -
, 2, , W, , November 19, 1927, , 5–2 , , align="left",
Detroit Cougars ( 1927–28) , , 1–0–1
, -
, 3, , W, , November 22, 1927, , 1–0 , , align="left",
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
( 1927–28) , , 2–0–1
, -
, 4, , L, , November 26, 1927, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",
New York Americans
The New York Americans, colloquially known as the Amerks, were a professional ice hockey team based in New York City from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the second to play ...
( 1927–28) , , 2–1–1
, -
, 5, , T, , November 27, 1927, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
( 1927–28) , , 2–1–2
, -
, 6, , W, , November 29, 1927, , 4–0 , , align="left",
Montreal Maroons
The Montreal Maroons (officially the Montreal Professional Hockey Club) were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They played in the NHL from 1924–25 NHL season, 1924 to 1937–38 NHL season, 1938, winning the Sta ...
( 1927–28) , , 3–1–2
, -
, -
, 7, , T, , December 1, 1927, , 0–0 OT, , align="left", @
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
( 1927–28) , , 3–1–3
, -
, 8, , L, , December 3, 1927, , 2–3 , , align="left", @
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
( 1927–28) , , 3–2–3
, -
, 9, , T, , December 6, 1927, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
( 1927–28) , , 3–2–4
, -
, 10, , W, , December 10, 1927, , 2–0 , , align="left", @
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
( 1927–28) , , 4–2–4
, -
, 11, , W, , December 11, 1927, , 2–1 OT, , align="left", @
Detroit Cougars ( 1927–28) , , 5–2–4
, -
, 12, , L, , December 13, 1927, , 2–3 , , align="left",
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
( 1927–28) , , 5–3–4
, -
, 13, , L, , December 17, 1927, , 1–5 , , align="left", @
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
( 1927–28) , , 5–4–4
, -
, 14, , W, , December 20, 1927, , 1–0 , , align="left",
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
( 1927–28) , , 6–4–4
, -
, 15, , W, , December 27, 1927, , 2–0 , , align="left",
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
( 1927–28) , , 7–4–4
, -
, 16, , L, , December 29, 1927, , 1–2 , , align="left", @
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
( 1927–28) , , 7–5–4
, -
, -
, 17, , W, , January 1, 1928, , 3–2 , , align="left", @
New York Americans
The New York Americans, colloquially known as the Amerks, were a professional ice hockey team based in New York City from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the second to play ...
( 1927–28) , , 8–5–4
, -
, 18, , T, , January 3, 1928, , 0–0 OT, , align="left",
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
( 1927–28) , , 8–5–5
, -
, 19, , L, , January 7, 1928, , 1–4 , , align="left", @
Montreal Maroons
The Montreal Maroons (officially the Montreal Professional Hockey Club) were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They played in the NHL from 1924–25 NHL season, 1924 to 1937–38 NHL season, 1938, winning the Sta ...
( 1927–28) , , 8–6–5
, -
, 20, , W, , January 10, 1928, , 3–1 , , align="left",
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
( 1927–28) , , 9–6–5
, -
, 21, , T, , January 12, 1928, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
( 1927–28) , , 9–6–6
, -
, 22, , W, , January 14, 1928, , 4–2 , , align="left", @
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
( 1927–28) , , 10–6–6
, -
, 23, , L, , January 17, 1928, , 1–3 , , align="left",
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
( 1927–28) , , 10–7–6
, -
, 24, , T, , January 21, 1928, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
( 1927–28) , , 10–7–7
, -
, 25, , L, , January 22, 1928, , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @
Detroit Cougars ( 1927–28) , , 10–8–7
, -
, 26, , T, , January 24, 1928, , 0–0 OT, , align="left",
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
( 1927–28) , , 10–8–8
, -
, 27, , L, , January 28, 1928, , 0–1 , , align="left", @
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
( 1927–28) , , 10–9–8
, -
, 28, , W, , January 31, 1928, , 2–1 , , align="left",
New York Americans
The New York Americans, colloquially known as the Amerks, were a professional ice hockey team based in New York City from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the second to play ...
( 1927–28) , , 11–9–8
, -
, -
, 29, , W, , February 7, 1928, , 4–2 , , align="left",
Detroit Cougars ( 1927–28) , , 12–9–8
, -
, 30, , T, , February 11, 1928, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
( 1927–28) , , 12–9–9
, -
, 31, , W, , February 14, 1928, , 1–0 , , align="left",
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
( 1927–28) , , 13–9–9
, -
, 32, , W, , February 19, 1928, , 2–0 , , align="left", @
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
( 1927–28) , , 14–9–9
, -
, 33, , W, , February 21, 1928, , 2–0 , , align="left",
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
( 1927–28) , , 15–9–9
, -
, 34, , L, , February 25, 1928, , 1–3 , , align="left", @
Montreal Maroons
The Montreal Maroons (officially the Montreal Professional Hockey Club) were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They played in the NHL from 1924–25 NHL season, 1924 to 1937–38 NHL season, 1938, winning the Sta ...
( 1927–28) , , 15–10–9
, -
, 35, , W, , February 28, 1928, , 2–1 , , align="left",
Montreal Maroons
The Montreal Maroons (officially the Montreal Professional Hockey Club) were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They played in the NHL from 1924–25 NHL season, 1924 to 1937–38 NHL season, 1938, winning the Sta ...
( 1927–28) , , 16–10–9
, -
, -
, 36, , T, , March 3, 1928, , 0–0 OT, , align="left", @
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
( 1927–28) , , 16–10–10
, -
, 37, , W, , March 6, 1928, , 1–0 , , align="left",
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
( 1927–28) , , 17–10–10
, -
, 38, , T, , March 10, 1928, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
( 1927–28) , , 17–10–11
, -
, 39, , W, , March 11, 1928, , 1–0 , , align="left", @
New York Americans
The New York Americans, colloquially known as the Amerks, were a professional ice hockey team based in New York City from 1925 to 1942. They were the third expansion team in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the second to play ...
( 1927–28) , , 18–10–11
, -
, 40, , W, , March 13, 1928, , 3–0 , , align="left",
Detroit Cougars ( 1927–28) , , 19–10–11
, -
, 41, , W, , March 15, 1928, , 3–1 , , align="left", @
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
( 1927–28) , , 20–10–11
, -
, 42, , L, , March 17, 1928, , 1–3 , , align="left", @
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
( 1927–28) , , 20–11–11
, -
, 43, , L, , March 20, 1928, , 2–6 , , align="left",
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
( 1927–28) , , 20–12–11
, -
, 44, , L, , March 24, 1928, , 2–7 , , align="left", @
Detroit Cougars ( 1927–28) , , 20–13–11
, -
, -
,
''Legend'':
Playoffs
The Bruins gained a first-round bye by virtue of winning the division, and played the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
in the second round in a two-game, total goal series. Their scoring problems of the regular season continued, exacerbated by a flu bug going through the dressing room and various minor injuries; Shore, Clapper, Gainor and Connor were particularly affected.
Boston tied the first game 1–1 in New York, the Rangers' final home game of the playoffs – this was the first of perennial disruptions to the Rangers' playoff schedule due to
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...
hosting the circus in the spring. The Bruins lost the second match in Boston 4–1, on three Ranger third-period goals as the weakened Brown-and-Gold folded at last, to drop the total-goal series five goals to two. Harry Oliver, who scored a goal in each game, was the sole offensive threat.
Player statistics
Regular season
;Scoring
;Goaltending
Playoffs
;Scoring
;Goaltending
Transactions
* Acquired Dutch Gainor from Minneapolis of the American Hockey Association for
Red Stuart
William Roxborough "Red" Stuart (February 1, 1900 – March 7, 1978) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto St. Pats and Boston Bruins between 1920 and 1927. The rest of his car ...
, cash and future considerations, October 24, 1927.
* Purchased Dit Clapper from Boston of the Canadian–American League, October 25, 1927.
* Sold the rights to
Duke Keats
Gordon Blanchard "Duke, Iron Duke" Keats (March 1, 1895 – January 16, 1972) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played for the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association (NHA), Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Ho ...
to Chicago,
Carson Cooper
Carson Eric "Shovel Shot" Cooper (July 17, 1897 – July 4, 1955) was a Canadian ice hockey player who played 8 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Cougars and Detroit Falcons between 1924 a ...
to Detroit and
Billy Boucher
William Martin Boucher (November 10, 1899 – November 10, 1958) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Boucher played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Hamilton Tigers, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and New York Americans ...
to the Americans.
* Traded Jimmy Herbert to Toronto for the rights to Eric Pettinger and $15,000, December 21, 1927.
See also
*
1927–28 NHL season
The 1927–28 NHL season was the List of NHL seasons, 11th Season (sport), season of the National Hockey League. Ten teams played 44 games each. This was the first full season that the Toronto club used the Toronto Maple Leafs name following owne ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:1927-28 Boston Bruins Season
Boston Bruins seasons
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
1920s in Boston