Kaminsky, Max

Kaminsky, a legend in Canadian junior hockey history, played four seasons in the NHL and was an AHL All-Star in the late 1930s. After retiring, he coached in the AHL and upon his death, the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) began annually awarding the Max Kaminsky Memorial Trophy.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. April 19, 1913 - d. May 5, 1961

Career Highlights:
The son of Russian immigrants, Max was considered one of the greatest junior hockey players of the 1930s. In 1930-31, playing for the Niagara Falls Cataracts, he scored 14 goals and had 15 assists for an impressive 29 points in only seven games. After a successful stint with Niagara Falls in the Senior Ontario Hockey Association, Max signed with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL in 1933.

Upon being called up by the Senators, Kaminsky made an immediate impact. He registered an assist in his first NHL game, a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Later that week, in his first appearance in New York City, Max scored a goal only one minute and forty seconds into the game against the New York Americans. He then added an assist to contribute to the Senators' 5-2 win.

Following the game against the Americans, Max told reporters, "Yes, I'm 100 percent Jewish. My folks came from Russia, but I was born in Niagara Falls...I played junior and senior hockey in and around Niagara Falls for years...I realize I am in much faster and smarter company in the big league, I feel quite at home..." And indeed he was. Kaminsky finished the season with 26 points (nine goals and 17 assists) in 38 games for the Senators.

After Ottawa relocated in 1934-35, Max began the year with the St. Louis Eagles, but after registering no points in the first 11 games, he was sent to Boston Bruins. Max finished the 1934-35 season with 27 points in 38 games for the Bruins; he also appeared in four playoff games. It was Kaminsky's last productive season in the NHL and after being sold to the Montreal Maroons, he was sent to minors for the 1936-37 season.

Kaminsky played the next eight years in the minors, where he achieved some success. Between 1937 and 1945, he registered at least ten points in every season. In 1939-40, he scored 11 goals and 29 assists and made the AHL All-Star second team.

He retired in 1945 and became the coach of the Pittsburgh Hornets in 1945-46. Max remained a coach (he won the Memorial Cup with the Catherine Teepees in 1959-60) and general manager in the minors until his death in 1961. The Ontario Hockey League (formerly the OHA) awards the Max Kaminsky Memorial Trophy to the most gentlemanly player who also displays a high standard of playing ability.

Origin:
Niagara Falls, Ontario

Career Dates:
Kaminsky played as a center in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators in 1933-34; for the St. Louis Eagles in 1934, the Boston Bruins in 1934-1936, and with the Montreal Maroons in 1936-37.

Position:
center

Physical description:
5'10", 160 pounds
left-handed

Career Statistics:
In the NHL:
Games: 130

Goals: 22
Assists: 34
Points: 56

Penalty Minutes: 38

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