Conn Smythe

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Constantine Falkland Cary Smythe MC (; February 1, 1895 – November 18, 1980) was a Canadian businessman, soldier and executive in ice hockey and horse racing. He was best known as the principal owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1927 to 1961 and as the builder of their longtime home arena, Maple Leaf Gardens. When the then-Toronto St. Patricks was facing financial trouble and under threat of being moved, Smythe organized a partnership to buy the team and keep it in Toronto. It was at his instigation that the team was renamed the Maple Leafs. He would remain involved with the franchise until the 1960s. The club was very successful during his ownership and his name appears on the Stanley Cup eight times. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder. In his honour, the Gardens gave the NHL the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Outside of hockey, Smythe was also a decorated soldier in World War I. He returned to serve in World War II, organizing his own artillery battery. He was severely injured, injuries he never fully recovered from. While in hospital, he publicly criticized the Canadian war effort and the lack of trained recruits, embarrassing the Canadian prime minister. He continued to be outspoken during his lifetime. He publicly opposed Canada's new flag and resigned from the Maple Leafs Gardens board when the Gardens held a Muhammad Ali boxing match, over Ali's refusal to serve for the U. S. Army in the Vietnam War. Smythe was a successful horse breeder and racing stable owner. His interest began as a youth, spending time at the track with his father. He bought his first horse in the 1920s and...