Frank Finnigan
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| Position | Right Wing |
| Shoots | Right |
| Nickname(s) | Shawville Express |
| Height Weight |
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg/11 st 11 lb) |
| Pro clubs | Ottawa Senators (NHL) Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) St. Louis Eagles (NHL) |
| Nationality |  Canada |
| Born | July 9, 1903, Shawville, Quebec |
| Died | December 25, 1991 (aged 88), Ottawa, Ontario |
| Pro career | 1923 – 1937 |
Frank Arthur Finnigan (July 9, 1903 in Shawville, Quebec - December 25, 1991 ) was a Canadian ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League from 1923 to 1937. During this time, he played for the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Eagles, and was nicknamed the "Shawville Express."[1] His younger brother Eddie Finnigan also played in the National Hockey League. His daughter Joan Finnigan (1925–2007) became a published writer.
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[edit] NHL career
Mr. Finnigan is most noted for his time with the Senators, serving as the team captain from 1930 – 1933, and scoring a high of 21 goals in the 1929–30 season. On March 15, 1934, he scored the last goal for the original era of the Ottawa Senators. His unassisted goal was scored at the 1 minute, 7 second mark of the second period.
Mr. Finnigan was the last surviving member of the Senators Stanley Cup-winning team from the 1926–1927 season, the final season of the 1919–27 Ottawa Senators dynasty.
As the franchise declined, he played the 1931–32 NHL season for the Toronto Maple Leafs while the Ottawa team was on hiatus, returning for the following two seasons with the Senators. He moved with the other players to play for the St. Louis Eagles NHL team in St. Louis, MO the following season for one season. He finished his career with several seasons with the Maple Leafs.
He retired to Ottawa, and played ice hockey for various amateur teams, including the RCAF Flyers.
[edit] Role With The Current Ottawa Senators NHL Franchise
When the NHL planned to expand in 1990, the consortium to get a new franchise for Ottawa signed Mr. Finnigan to be part of the presentation team to the NHL expansion committee. The group was successful and the reinstated Ottawa franchise began play in the 1992–1993 NHL season.
Unfortunately, Mr. Finnigan died before the new team would play its first game in 1992, for which he was scheduled to drop the puck for the ceremonial face-off. Instead, on opening night the honour went to his son, Frank Finnigan Jr. to drop the puck. On that night, the team honoured him by retiring the #8 jersey, making him one of three players in NHL history to have his uniform retired by a team for which he never actually played.
The street in front of the main entrance to the Ottawa Senators' arena - Scotiabank Place is named Frank Finnigan Way in his honour. There is also a restaurant inside Scotiabank Place named 'Frank Finnigan's'. A banner honouring his retired number hangs from the rafters also.
[edit] NHL Statistics:
Regular Season
| Season | Team | GP | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923–24 | Ottawa Senators | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1924–25 | Ottawa Senators | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1925–26 | Ottawa Senators | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1926–27 | Ottawa Senators | 36 | 15 | 1 | 16 |
| 1927–28 | Ottawa Senators | 36 | 20 | 5 | 25 |
| 1928–29 | Ottawa Senators | 44 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
| 1929–30 | Ottawa Senators | 43 | 21 | 15 | 36 |
| 1930–31 | Ottawa Senators | 44 | 9 | 8 | 17 |
| 1931–32 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 47 | 8 | 13 | 21 |
| 1932–33 | Ottawa Senators | 45 | 4 | 14 | 18 |
| 1933–34 | Ottawa Senators | 48 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| 1934–35 | St. Louis Eagles | 34 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1934–35 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1935–36 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 48 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| 1936–37 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 48 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Totals: | 553 | 115 | 88 | 203 |
[edit] Awards
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (1934).
This was the first all-star game, held as a benefit for Toronto player Ace Bailey. The first official NHL All-Star Game was held in 1947.
| Preceded by King Clancy |
Ottawa Senators captains (Original Era) 1930–31, 1932–33 |
Succeeded by Syd Howe |
[edit] References:
- ^ He picked up his nickname while playing for Ottawa University, as he took the train in from Shawville to attend and play hockey. Finnigan, Joan (1992). Old Scores, New Goals, p.142.
