Day, Clarence "Hap"
Hockey Player, Coach, General Manager ~ 1901-1990
Clarence Day was born in Sydenham Township to Sidney Day & Elizabeth Bothwell Day. He resided in Owen Sound and started playing minor hockey, before moving to Port McNicholl where he attended Midland High School. In addition to attending the University of Toronto, majoring in pharmacy, he played for the Varsity team. Charlie Querrie, owner of the Toronto St. Pats, thought Day would make a great addition to his team, but Day was reluctant at first because of his commitment to school. Day was offered a large salary along the promise that he would miss too many classes and made his NHL debut in 1924. He was later made team captain in 1926, and remained so for the next tens years. In 1932, the Leafs won their first Stanley Cup with Day scoring a key goal sending the last semi-final game into overtime, beating the Montréal Maroons and moving on to the finals against the New York Rangers. He played with future Hall of Famers such as Jack Adams, Babe Dye, and King Clancy. He played his final season in 1938 with the New York Americans. Later, in 1940, with the Leafs coaching position open, owner Conn Smythe, immediately offered Day the opportunity. Over the next ten years, Day would become the most successful coach in the NHL. He won five Stanley Cups as coach of the Leafs, first in 1942, then in 1945, and finally three in a row from 1947 to 1949. A short year later, Day would leave the bench for the off-ice position of Assistant to the General Manager. He would later be appointed as Conn Symthe replacement as General Manager in 1957. Day was elected to the Hockey Fall of Fame in 1961.
Additional information: Hockey Hall of Fame website: http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196103#photo.
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