Larry Aurie
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Lawrence Henry Aurie (born February 8, 1905 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada – died December 12, 1952) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Cougars, Detroit Falcons and Detroit Red Wings
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[edit] Playing career
Aurie was known for his goal-scoring achievements and for helping the Red Wings win two Stanley Cup championships. Aurie began his professional hockey career in 1926 with the London Panthers of the Canadian Professional Hockey League (CPHL). The following season, he moved up to the NHL to play with Detroit. His dedication to off-season fitness with his short stature (5 foot 6 inches) earned him the nicknames "Little Dempsey" (for his fistic abilities) and "The Little Rag Man" (for his remarkable and entertaining ability to control or "rag" the puck during penalty killing).
Twice during his career, Aurie led the Wings in assists and in 1933–34, his 35 points topped the club in scoring. He was third in NHL scoring with a career-high 46 points in 1934–35 and fourth overall in 1936–37 with 43 points. He represented the Red Wings at the first ever NHL All Star Game in 1934.
Aurie captained the team in the 1932–33 season, led the league in playoff scoring in 1934 with 10 points in nine games and led the league in goal scoring in 1937 with 23 while earning a first-team selection on the post-season NHL All-Star Team.
He was part of the Wings' first big line, playing alongside center Marty Barry and left wing Herbie Lewis. His selfless play and hustle made him a favorite of owner James Norris.
Aurie scored his NHL leading 23rd goal on March 11, 1937 in a 4–2 win over the New York Rangers, but later in the game fractured his leg in a collision with Rangers' defenceman Art Coulter, ending his season. Aurie's season leading scoring performance earned him a berth on the NHL First All-Star Team. Unfortunately, this was Aurie’s last strong season. The lingering effects of his fractured leg began to affect his play and in 1937–38, he dropped to 10 goals and 19 points.
The following season, Aurie was named player-coach of Detroit’s AHL farm club, the Pittsburgh Hornets after making his final appearance for the Red Wings against Montreal, scoring in a 3–0 shutout. Aurie would later go on to head coach the Oshawa Generals.
[edit] Retirement
Aurie's No. 6 jersey was officially retired by Wings owner James Norris after the 1938–39 season, and his retired jersey was displayed in the Olympia Stadium lobby during the 1960s. However, current Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has for some unknown reason refused to hang Aurie's No. 6 from the rafters at Joe Louis Arena with the other six retired numbers. Aurie's No. 6 was reissued only once, to his cousin Cummy Burton, with the family's blessing.
Aurie's No. 6 had been listed as retired in the Official NHL Guide and Record Book since 1975, when retired sweater numbers began being featured in the book. At the time, three numbers were listed as being retired by Detroit: Aurie's No. 6, Gordie Howe's No. 9 and Alex Delvecchio's No. 10. Before the 2000–01 season, Ilitch ordered the number removed from the publication - again without explanation. His refusal to honor Aurie properly remains a mystery to the hockey world. There are many theories, but nothing firm has ever come from the front office, or Ilitch himself.
Aurie died in Detroit's Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital on December 12, 1952, having suffered a stroke the previous evening. He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, in Southfield, Michigan.
[edit] Statistics
- Best season with the Red Wings: 1934–35 (17–29–46)
- Career totals with the Red Wings: GP-489, G-147, A-129, PTS-276
[edit] Achievements and honours
- IAHL Second All-Star Team, 1939
- Led NHL in goals in 1936–37
- Named to NHL First All-Star Team, 1936–37
- Played in NHL All-Star Game, 1933–34
- Led Detroit in scoring, 1933–34
- Served as team captain, 1932–33
[edit] Note
- ^ The NHL team in Detroit has had three names — Detroit Cougars (1926–1930), Detroit Falcons (1930–1932), and Detroit Red Wings (1932 to date)
[edit] References
- Larry Aurie, Wings of Legend, Detroit Red Wings.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Detroit Falcons captains Carson Cooper |
Detroit Red Wings captains 1932–33 |
Succeeded by Herbie Lewis |
