Toe Blake

The Foundation of the Canadiens Dynasty, On and Behind the Bench

There are legends who shape the game from the ice. There are others who influence generations from behind the bench. Hector "Toe" Blake did both. One of the most pivotal figures in the history of the Montreal Canadiens, Blake left an indelible mark not just as a tenacious and talented forward, but also as the architect of one of the greatest dynasties the NHL has ever seen.

He wasn’t the flashiest scorer, nor the most physically dominant skater. But he played with a deep understanding of space, timing, and rhythm—qualities that would later define his coaching brilliance. Toe Blake’s legacy is written in banners, in rings, and in the memories of anyone who ever watched the Canadiens under his command. He was hockey royalty—equal parts tactician, leader, and symbol of Montreal’s championship tradition.

A Hard-Nosed Skater with a Mind for the Game

Born in Victoria Mines, Ontario in 1912, Hector Blake earned the nickname "Toe" as a child—short for his mother's mispronunciation of "Hector" in French as "Hétor," which sounded like "Toe" in English. He brought a rugged determination to every rink he touched, beginning his professional journey in the early 1930s. Blake joined the Montreal Maroons for a brief stint before finding a permanent home with the Canadiens in 1935.

Though undersized by modern standards, Blake played bigger than he looked. His combination of finesse and ferocity earned him respect across the league. Most notably, he became the left wing on the Canadiens’ famed “Punch Line,” alongside Elmer Lach and Maurice “Rocket” Richard. Together, they formed one of the most fearsome scoring trios in NHL history, terrorizing defenses with their chemistry and unrelenting pressure.

Career Stats and Accolades

• NHL Games Played: 577

• Goals: 235

• Assists: 292

• Points: 527

• Stanley Cup Championships as a Player: 2 (1944, 1946)

• Hart Trophy Winner: 1938–39 (League MVP)

• Lady Byng Trophy Winner: 1945–46 (Sportsmanship & Performance)

• Stanley Cup Championships as Head Coach: 8 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968)

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: 1966

• One of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players (2017)

Moments That Defined His Greatness

The Punch Line Revolution
Blake’s most iconic playing years came during the formation of the Punch Line—a group that redefined what an NHL scoring unit could be. In the 1944–45 season, Blake tallied 67 points in just 50 games, winning the Hart Trophy and leading the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup. The chemistry he shared with Lach and Richard was built on trust, timing, and an unspoken understanding that seemed almost telepathic.

The Transition from Player to Bench Boss
After a serious leg injury ended his playing days in 1948, Blake didn’t step away from hockey. Instead, he turned to coaching—and proved just as masterful behind the bench. When he took over the Canadiens in 1955, the franchise was reeling from Richard’s suspension and the riots that followed. Blake calmed the storm and laid the groundwork for one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.

Eight Cups in Thirteen Seasons
Blake’s coaching tenure from 1955 to 1968 was a masterclass in sustained excellence. His Canadiens won five straight Cups from 1956 to 1960 and added three more in the 1960s. He coached with discipline and clarity, always adapting his systems to the strengths of his players—from the fire of Richard and Béliveau to the finesse of Cournoyer and Savard. Under Blake, the Canadiens weren’t just great—they were untouchable.

Key Cards for Collectors

• 1936–37 O-Pee-Chee Series B #120 Toe Blake (Rookie Card)
  A tough-to-find gem from the pre-war era. Blake’s rookie is highly sought after by vintage collectors due to its historical importance and relative scarcity.

• 1954 Parkhurst #33 Toe Blake (Coach Card)
  One of the earliest cards to feature Blake as a coach. A beautiful piece from Parkhurst’s mid-century run that captures the beginning of his second act with the Canadiens.

• 1965 Shirriff Coin Toe Blake
  A unique and offbeat collectible from his coaching years. A fan favorite for those who like quirky vintage oddities with historical significance.

A Dual-Legacy Carved in Stone

Very few individuals in hockey history can claim to be both a Hall of Fame player and a Hall of Fame coach. Toe Blake is one of the rare few who earned both distinctions with room to spare. His vision, discipline, and competitive drive elevated two generations of Canadiens—first as a linemate to Rocket Richard, then as the mastermind who guided that same Rocket and later, Jean Béliveau, to their greatest triumphs.

Blake's ability to evolve, to lead different rosters through changing eras of the game, set him apart. Whether you remember him for the Punch Line’s dominance or for the parade of Cups during his coaching tenure, the result is the same: Toe Blake was the living embodiment of Montreal excellence.

He didn’t just adapt to greatness—he built it. Through humility, tactical brilliance, and unrelenting passion, Blake helped turn the Canadiens into a dynasty and the NHL into a league where greatness had a gold standard: Montreal in the Blake years.

His name still echoes through the halls of the Forum, forever etched into the very identity of the sport he helped shape.