Milt Schmidt

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Schmidt's career was defined by his time with the "Kraut Line," a trio he formed with childhood friends Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart. After their rights were acquired by Boston in 1935, they dominated the league for fifteen seasons. In 1940, Schmidt led the NHL with 52 points while Bauer and Dumart finished second and third with 43 each, a historic feat never before achieved. The line was instrumental in winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1939 and 1941. Their run was halted by World War II; all three enlisted immediately following their final pre-war game, where they recorded eight points against Montreal and were paraded on teammates' shoulders. They served with the Ottawa RCAF Flyers before deploying overseas as a bomber squadron member (Schmidt and Dumart) and radio technician (Bauer), missing three productive seasons.

In Their Own Story

In his youth in Kitchener, Schmidt dropped out of high school at age 14 to work at a shoe factory, earning 18 cents an hour ($3.94 in 2025 dollars). He continued playing junior hockey with the Empires and Greenshirts before joining the Providence Reds. At age 20, he tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team but wisely declined, knowing he would strike out more than hit home runs. His NHL career began mid-1937, where he proved himself a hard-nosed center with smooth playmaking skills. In the later part of his career, Schmidt shared train rides with journalist Leo Monahan; Schmidt recalled that Monahan refused to move from his upper berth all night for fear of disturbing him. Schmidt retired as a player mid-season in 1954–1955 to take over head coaching duties, replacing Lynn Patrick.

Reader's Guide

Schmidt's leadership roles were extensive and historic. Named captain in 1951, he won the Hart Trophy that year with 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists). As a coach, he led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final in 1957 and 1958. Promoted to general manager in 1967, he orchestrated a blockbuster trade acquiring Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield from Chicago in exchange for Pit Martin, Gilles Marotte, and Jack Norris, building the teams that won Cups in 1970 and 1972. After leaving Boston to become the first GM of the expansion Washington Capitals in 1973, he oversaw a franchise that finished with an NHL-record low 21 points (8–67–5). He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, had his #15 jersey retired, and was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in 2017. He died at age 98 as the oldest living former NHL player.

Did You Know?

• Schmidt was the first line in NHL history to have three linemates finish first, second, and third in league scoring (1939–40).
• He turned down a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals because he knew his youth experience showed he would strike out more often than hit home runs.
• Schmidt was the last living NHL player to have played against the Montreal Maroons, a team that folded in 1938.
• As general manager of the expansion Washington Capitals in 1973, Schmidt oversaw a team that set an NHL record with only 21 points (8 wins, 67 losses).
• He was the only person in Bruins franchise history to serve as a player-captain, head coach, and general manager.