Montreal "Smokeaters"
In early 1948 the Canadiens were in poor shape. The team was
slumping badly after finishing in first place for several seasons.
An irate fan decided to take matter into his own hands and called the
Forum to voice his displeasure.
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Camil Desroches, the team publicity director, took the call and
heard : "If Dick Irvin is on the bench next Saturday night, the
building will be set on fire."
The Canadian Press newswire service picked up the story. On the
train to Toronto, the Canadiens read the item and had a good
chuckle. On game night the Canadiens went onto the ice wearing
brilliant red fedoras, to the delight of the Maple Leaf Gardens
faithful.
Dick Irvin explained, "The boys got the idea when they saw red
fedoras in the window of a store. Two or three of them decided to
buy enough for the whole team and then the manufacturers decided to
donate them suitably engraved "Onward Les Canadiens".
The Canadiens were all set to wear their "smokeater" hats in Montreal
but Clarence Campbell got wind of the idea and prohibited a repeat
performance. Remarkably, the Forum was still standing after their
next home game.
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