Conn Smythe fonds (F 223-3)

Conn Smythe, M.C. (1895-1980) was an Ontario sportsman best known for his interests in ice hockey, horse racing and promoting the cause of disabled children. The Conn Smythe hockey files (Series F 223-3) consists of hockey files documenting Conn Smythe’s involvement in the game of hockey in Canada including Maple Leaf Gardens, the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club and the National Hockey League.

• Biographical Sketch
  
  
• Conn Smythe Hockey Files (Series F 223-3)
  
  
• Conn Smythe Hockey Textual Files (Sub-Seruies F 223-3-1)
  
  
• Board of Directors of Maple Leaf Gardens meeting files (Sub-Series F 223-3-3)
  

Biographical Sketch

Conn Smythe, M.C. (1895-1980) was an Ontario sportsman best known for his interests in ice hockey, horse racing and promoting the cause of disabled children. Descended from Irish immigrants, Smythe was educated at Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto.

In 1926 he organized the New York Rangers Club, and with associates, he bought the Toronto St. Pats Hockey Club, which he promptly renamed the Maple Leafs. He became their Managing Director in 1928, and assisted in organizing Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. which erected a 14 000 seat arena. He was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the company in 1931, made Managing Director, and then elected President and Managing Director from 1947-1961.

Smythe also owned and operated his own breeding and racing stables at Caledon, Ontario. Philanthropic activities included serving as Treasurer and Director to the Ontario Society for Crippled Children and acting as Honourary Chairman of the fund-raising drive for construction of the Ontario Community Centre for the Deaf.

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Conn Smythe hockey files (Series F 223-3)

This microfilm consists of hockey files documenting Conn Smythe’s involvement in the game of hockey in Canada including Maple Leaf Gardens, the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club and the National Hockey League. The textual files have been arranged into two sub-series.

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Conn Smythe hockey textual files (Sub-Series F 223-3-1)

This microfilm consists of files documenting Conn Smythe’s tenure as President of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club, as a governor in the National Hockey League (NHL) and his general activities related to the game of hockey in Canada. Includes correspondence, legal agreements, memos and personal hockey notes, financial records and records relating to the establishment, construction, inauguration and subsequent operation of the Hockey Hall of Fame and Maple Leaf Gardens.

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Board of Directors of Maple Leaf Gardens meeting files (Sub-Series F 223-3-3)

This microfilm consists of Conn Smythe's personal meeting files for the Maple Leaf Gardens Board of Directors and Executive Committee including correspondence, agendas, minutes, annual reports, financial statements, and reference material. Also contains Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. annual general meeting files and material pertaining to Smythe's resignation from the board as a result of the controversy surrounding the Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) boxing match held at the Gardens in 1966.

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