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Constantine Falkland Kerry Smythe (Born February
1, 1895 in Toronto, Ontario and died November 18,
1980 in Caledon, Ontario) was a Canada|Canadian
builder (hockey)|builder in the National Hockey
League. One of the more competitive and colourful
characters in NHL history, Conn Smythe built the
New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Maple
Leaf Gardens. He was a fearless leader as a major
on the battlefield in both world wars and took no
prisoners when making the Maple Leafs one of the
league's powers.

The Toronto native attended the University of
Toronto where he graduated with a B.Sc. in 1920.
He first gained prominence in hockey as a centre
(hockey)|centre who led the Varsity Blues to the
1915 Ontario amateur championship. Smythe later
led U of T to the Allan Cup in 1927 and formed the
Varsity Grads team that went on to win the Olympic
Games|Olympic gold medal at St. Moritz in 1928.

Smythe's first taste of the NHL came with the New
York Rangers. The canny manager acquired Bill
Cook, Frank Boucher, Ching Johnson, and Taffy
Abel, moves that formed the core of the 1928
Stanley Cup champions. After a disagreement with
management, Smythe bought the Toronto St. Pats and
renamed them the Maple Leafs on February 14, 1927.

During the 1931-32 NHL season, he and associate
J.P. Bickell financed the construction of Maple
Leaf Gardens. Later that year the franchise won
its first of eleven Stanley Cups as the Maple
Leafs. Passionate about horse racing, Smythe
helped build his team by purchasing Ottawa
Senators star King Clancy with winnings from a
bet.

Smythe served as Managing Director and President
of Maple Leaf Gardens Limited and oversaw one of
hockey's greatest dynasty (sports)|dynasties when
Toronto won five Stanley Cups between 1945 and
1951. He retired as one of the greatest architects
the league had ever seen.

Smythe was also a tireless promoter who brought
entertainment, meetings, rallies and royalty to
The Gardens. He was also heavily involved in such
charities as the Ontario Society for Crippled
Children and minor hockey development throughout
the province. Smythe also personally supervised
the construction of the Hockey Hall of Fame
building in Toronto in 1961.

The National Hockey League honoured Smythe's
contribution to the game by introducing a Conn
Smythe Trophy|trophy in 1965 to be presented to
the Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup
playoffs. The league also named one of its four
divisions after him prior to the 1974-75 NHL
season|1974-75 season.

One of hockey's greatest builders, Smythe was
inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.

He was famously quoted as saying: If you can't
beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the
ice.

He is interred at Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto.

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succession box | before = Alex Romeril | title =
Head Coaches of the Toronto Maple Leafs | years =
1927-1931 | after = Art Duncan 
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