1912–13 NHA season


The 1912–13 NHA season was the fourth season of the National Hockey Association. Six teams played 20 games each. The Quebec Bulldogs won the league championship to retain the Stanley Cup. They played and defeated the Sydney Millionaires in a challenge after the regular season.

League business

The Arena Gardens was completed in Toronto and the two dormant NHA franchises started play as the Toronto Hockey Club and the Toronto Tecumsehs. The Arena Gardens hosted a pre-season exhibition match between the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Wanderers, at which a brawl broke out and Sprague Cleghorn would be charged with assault.

Major rule changes

For this season the NHA teams played again with six skaters, abandoning the position of rover. It was agreed that from February onwards, the teams would play with seven. However, after several games at the start of February played with the rover, the decision was made to abandon the rover position permanently.
The Stanley Cup trustees decided prior to this season that all future Stanley Cup challenges would take place after the end of the regular season.

Regular season

Final standings

Stanley Cup challenges

Sydney vs. Quebec

made a try for Frank McGee's record, but fell short at 9 goals. He was not in the lineup for the second game.
Quebec wins series 20–5

Post-season exhibition series

After the season a series was arranged between Ottawa and Montreal Wanderers and Quebec to play in New York. Ottawa and Montreal played first, with the winner to play-off against Quebec. After the Wanderers defeated Ottawa 10–8, the Wanderers won the two-game series against Quebec 12–10.
DateWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamLocation
March 8, 1913Montreal Wanderers3–2OttawaSt. Nicholas Rink, New York
March 10, 1913Montreal Wanderers7–6OttawaSt. Nicholas Rink, New York
March 13, 1913Montreal Wanderers9–5QuebecSt. Nicholas Rink, New York
March 15, 1913Quebec5–3Montreal WanderersSt. Nicholas Rink, New York

; Sources:
Quebec travelled to Victoria, British Columbia to play an exhibition series with the Victoria Aristocrats. The Aristocrats had requested a challenge series with Quebec, but would not travel to Quebec City, and the Bulldogs would not agree to defend the Cup on any other ice than their home rink. The Aristocrats would win the best-of-three series.
‡ Played with rover

Player statistics

Goaltending averages

PlayerTeam
Quebec Bulldogs204334
Quebec Bulldogs183930
Montreal Wanderers202738
Toronto Blueshirts19259
Montreal Canadiens182561
Montreal Canadiens172480
Ottawa Senators202015
Toronto Blueshirts201969
Montreal Canadiens201952
Ottawa Senators201839

Quebec Bulldogs 1913 Stanley Cup Champions