Howie Morenz (September 21, 1902 – March 8, 1937) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Before joining the National Hockey League (NHL), Morenz excelled in the junior Ontario Hockey Association. He played 14 seasons in the NHL and set several scoring records as a centre for three teams: the Montreal Canadiens (in two stints), the Chicago Black Hawks, and the New York Rangers. The Canadiens won the Stanley Cup three times when he played for them. For seven straight seasons, Morenz led the team in goals scored and points. He was named the league's most valuable player three times, and made the NHL All-Star Team three times. He died from complications of a broken leg, an injury he suffered in a game. After his death, the Canadiens retired his jersey number, the first time the team had done so for any player. When the Hockey Hall of Fame opened in 1945, Morenz was one of the original nine inductees. In 1950, the Canadian Press named him the best ice hockey player of the first half of the 20th century. (Full article...)