“Men, women, and children — judges, doctors, lawyers, industrialists, city and provincial government officials, business executives, milkmen, postmen, housewives, stenographers, schoolchildren, people of all callings 10,000 strong — thronged the Forum for the Canadien Comet’s funeral services,” reported the Montreal Gazette. It was on Thursday, March 11, 1937, that Montreal said farewell to the indelible Howie Morenz, who had died earlier that week at the age of 34. Morenz’s casket rested at centre ice, surrounded by floral tributes and dignitaries, including teammates and members of the Montreal Maroons and Toronto Maple Leafs. A throng estimated at 25,000 attended the cortège to the burial at Mount Royal Cemetery.

On Guard: Aurèle Joliat (left) and Johnny Gagnon (front right), Howie Morenz’s faithful friends and long-time wingers, stand by the floral tributes surrounding the Stratford Streak’s coffin at the Forum. Canadiens centreman Pit Lepine is just behind Gagnon.