Bobby Bauer

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Lore & Background

Bauer's journey began in Waterloo, Ontario, where he learned hockey in a backyard rink before moving to Toronto in 1930. He played junior hockey with the St. Michael's Majors, winning the Memorial Cup in 1934 as the Dominion junior champion. That same year, he recorded 15 points in 13 playoff games. His path crossed permanently with Milt Schmidt and Woody Dumart when all three joined the Kitchener Greenshirts for the 1934–35 season; at the time, Dumart played defense while Bauer was a forward. Signed by Boston, Bauer started his professional career with the Boston Cubs in the CAHL during the 1935–36 season, scoring 15 goals in 48 games. He moved to the Providence Reds in the IAHL for 1936–37, where he was finally placed on a line with Schmidt at center and Dumart as left wing. Their shared German heritage earned them the nickname 'Sauerkrauts' from coach Albert Leduc, which soon shortened to the iconic 'Kraut Line'. Bauer made his NHL debut on March 21, 1937, scoring his first goal in a 6–1 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Bauer's career arrived during the 1940–41 season. After recording 39 points with only two penalty minutes, he helped guide the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings. In the deciding game, a 3–1 victory, Bauer scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal midway through the second period. The trio's career was interrupted by World War II; all three enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in January 1942, leaving the Bruins mid-season. In their final game together before deployment, they recorded eight points in a dominating win over the Montreal Canadiens, prompting players from both teams to hoist them on their shoulders and parade them around the ice. Bauer, overwhelmed by the moment, later recalled, 'The ovation, at the height of my youth, sort of grabbed me.' After training in Ottawa and playing for the RCAF Flyers to win an Allan Cup, he served as a radio technician with a bomber squadron in the UK before returning to Canada in 1944 due to sciatica. Upon his return to Boston for the 1945–46 season, he was reunited with Schmidt and Dumart, remaining in peak form despite the long hiatus.

Reader's Guide

Bauer's post-war performance was a career highlight; named captain for the 1946–47 season, he recorded a team-leading 30 goals and finished seventh overall in league scoring with 54 points. This standout year earned him his fourth All-Star selection and third Lady Byng Trophy before he announced his retirement. He briefly returned to play for the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen in the OHA senior division, scoring 38 points in one season and 24 in the next, helping them reach finals three years in a row. In a touching reunion on March 18, 1952, Bauer came out of retirement to play one final game with the Bruins for 'Milt Schmidt-Woody Dumart appreciation night.' He scored a goal in the 4–0 victory over Chicago and assisted on Schmidt's 200th career goal. Transitioning fully to coaching, he led the Dutchmen to two Allan Cup championships (1952–53 and 1954–55) and guided Canada to a bronze medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Italy. He returned as coach for the 1960 Winter Olympics, leading the team to a silver medal after taking over mid-tournament.

Did You Know?

• Bauer recorded only 36 penalty minutes in his entire 327-game NHL career.
• In 1939–40, the Kraut Line became the first trio to finish first, second, and third in NHL scoring simultaneously.
• Bauer won three Lady Byng Trophies for gentlemanly conduct combined with high-calibre play.
• He was dispatched to the United Kingdom as a radio technician in a bomber squadron during World War II.
• In 1952, Bauer came out of retirement for one game to help Milt Schmidt reach his 200th career goal.