1924–25 Boston Bruins season


The 1924–25 Boston Bruins season was the team's first in the NHL. Along with the Montreal Maroons, the Bruins were the first expansion franchise in the NHL and the league's first American-based club. The Bruins finished sixth and last in the league standings. The Bruins' debut season home games were played in the only "debut" rink of any of the Original Six NHL teams that has survived into the 21st century — Boston Arena, the world's oldest indoor multi-sports facility, that is still used for ice hockey at any level of competition.

Regular season

Despite problems with the ice plant that threatened the home opener the Bruins started the season out auspiciously, defeating their fellow expansion Maroons squad in a nearly sold out Boston Arena 2–1; the first goal in franchise history was scored by Smokey Harris, while Carson Cooper, who assisted on Harris' goal, scored the game winner.
However, Boston lost its next eleven games, as well as having a seven-game losing streak — which included their second home game on December 8, 1924, initiating the Bruins' most intense rivalry over time — and finished in the basement. The Bruins had signed veteran West Coast star goaltender Hec Fowler as their netminder, but behind a weak defense, Fowler and backup Howie Lockhart played very poorly and the Bruins were repeatedly shelled, allowing ten goals in a game twice, one of which saw Toronto player Babe Dye score five goals on December 22.
The signing of senior league star netminder Doc Stewart and the purchase of Lionel Hitchman helped somewhat, but the team was riddled with injuries, and only Jimmy Herbert and Carson Cooper showed any offensive flair. The team's winning percentage of.200 was the second worst in league history to that date, and remains the tenth worst in NHL history.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Playoffs

The Bruins did not qualify for the playoffs.

Player statistics

Leading scorers

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Transactions