Don't forget the other Montreal Teams

The 100^th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens was the celebration of a glorious legacy. Every single tribute coordinated by the Habs was done with the utmost respect and attention. However, it’s important to note that the Canadiens weren’t always the only professional hockey club in Montreal.

There have been many occasions when the Habs had to share Montreal. So while we celebrate the Canadiens’ centennial year, here is a brief history of the various teams that have competed against and alongside the storied organization since 1909.

Montreal Wanderers, 1903-1918
While the Canadiens received the majority of support from Montreal’s Francophone community, the Wanderers were embraced by the city’s Anglophones. The team formed in 1903 and played in several leagues before joining the National Hockey Association, the forerunner to the NHL.

The Wanderers’ best years were from 1906-1910 when the club captured the Stanley Cup on five separate occasions. Unfortunately, the Wanderers franchise was in a nose dive leading up to the NHL’s inaugural season in 1917-18. Coming off two subpar seasons, the Wanderers had lost most of their players to war effort. To make matters worse, their home rink, the Montreal Arena, was destroyed by fire in January, 1918. With no arena and a lack of players, the team folded midway through the season.

Montreal Maroons, 1924-1938
The Maroons picked up where the Wanderers left off. They were (unofficially) adopted by English-speaking Montrealers as their team. The Maroons were instantly successful, winning the Stanley Cup in just their second year of existence.

The club would later add a second Stanley Cup title in 1935. The Maroons and Canadiens had a unique relationship. At one point, both clubs were owned by the same company and even shared the Montreal Forum. The Maroons would ultimately meet their demise after the 1937-38 NHL season. Financial problems and a lack of fan interest forced the team to suspend operations.

Montreal Shamrocks, 1887-1910
The Shamrocks were coming to an end around the same time Canadiens were starting. The team was actually an offshoot of a lacrosse team that bore the same name. Of note, the Shamrocks won two Stanley Cup championships, and featured future hall-of-famers such as Didier Pitre and Jack Laviolette.

Montreal Victorias, 1877-1939
The Victorias were an amateur club that played in several different leagues. The club won the Stanley Cup on two separate occasions, as well as a number of league titles. The Victorias were also the first team to be awarded the Allan Cup, which to this day is presented to the best senior amateur men’s team in Canada. The franchise picked up their second Allan Cup title in 1928.

Montreal A.A.A, 1884-1933
Some people will refer to this particular team as the Montreal Hockey Club, while others have called them the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (A.A.A). Regardless, the club has a significant presence in the sport’s history.

In 1893, the Montreal A.A.A became the first-ever team to be awarded the Stanley Cup. The A.A.A would win the Cup three other times in 1894, 1902 and 1903. Like the Victorias, the A.A.A were an amateur club, but did consist of professional hockey players at certain points during their existence.

Eventually, the club elected to keep its amateur status. This meant the A.A.A could no longer compete for the Stanley Cup, which had become a trophy for professional teams and leagues. The A.A.A did, however, capture the Allan Cup in 1930. In 1933, the club turned into the Montreal Royals and operated in several different variations until 1961.

The five teams mentioned above are only just a small fraction of the big picture. There are many more clubs that played in Montreal during the Canadiens’ first 100 years. Some developed respectable followings, while others faded into obscurity. Here are some of the other Montreal-based clubs that have shared the city with the NHL’s most famous franchise:

Montreal Voyageurs (American Hockey League, 1969-1971); Montreal Roadrunners (Roller Hockey International, 1994-1997); Montreal Axion/Wingstar (National Women’s Hockey League, 1999-2007); Montreal Stars (Canadian Women’s Hockey League, 2007-present); Montreal Junior Canadiens (Quebec Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey Association, 1933-1972); Montreal Bleu Blanc Rouge (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, 1972-1975); Montreal Juniors (QMJHL, 1975-1982); Montreal Rocket (QMJHL, 1999-2003); Montreal Junior Hockey Club (QMJHL, 2008-present)

Apologies to any clubs that were left out.