Frank J. Selke
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Francis J. (Frank) Selke (May 7, 1893-July 3, 1985) was a noted Canadian hockey manager in the NHL.
He began his career in 1907 as manager of the Iroquois Bantams even though he was just 14 years old. By the time he was 27, he had already coached the University of Toronto hockey team to the first Memorial Cup title.
Later, after Conn Smythe purchased the Toronto Maple Leafs, Selke became his top assistant. He would serve for twenty years in this position. Additionally, he coached the Toronto Marlboros to another Memorial Cup title in 1929, and he helped raise funds for the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens.
After a fallout with Conn Smythe, Selke joined the Montreal Canadiens as general manager for the 1946-1947 season. He took over a team that was in financial trouble, even though they were winners. But with his money he grabbed as many players as he could, creating an extensive farm system. He had great success with the Canadiens. His club, anchored by Maurice Richard, Elmer Lach, Doug Harvey and Jacques Plante won the Stanley Cup in 1953.
By the mid-1950's, the farm system that Selke had established really began to put life into the Canadiens as Jean Beliveau, Dickie Moore, Tom Johnson and Henri Richard came into the star-studded Canadiens and in consecutive years, 1954 and 1955, the Habs pushed the great Detroit Red Wings to the seven game limit before losing the finals. In 1956, they won the first of five consecutive Cups, a record that has never been beaten. Frank Selke was also a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred race horses and is an inductee of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Selke retired after the 1964 season. Four years earlier, he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1978, the NHL inaugurated the Frank Selke Trophy that is awarded annually to the outstanding defensive forward in the league.
Selke's son, Frank, Jr., was also a noted executive and media personality. He was the intermission host on Montreal Canadiens broadcasts for much of the 1960's. He is most remembered as president of the Oakland Seals (later known as the California Golden Seals).
