Conn Smythe

Constantine Falkland Cary Smythe MC (/ˈsmaɪθ/; February 1, 1895 – November 18, 1980) was a Canadian businessman, soldier and executive in ice hockey and horse racing. He was best known as the principal owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1927 to 1961 and as the builder of the Maple Leaf Gardens hockey arena. He first joined the Maple Leafs in 1927 when the Toronto NHL franchise was in financial trouble. Under the threat of being moved, he organized a partnership to buy the team and keep it in Toronto. It was at his instigation that the team became known as the Maple Leaf club. He would remain involved with the franchise until the 1960s. The club was very successful during his ownership and his name appears on the Stanley Cup eight times. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder. In his honour, the Gardens gave the NHL the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Outside of hockey, Smythe was also a decorated soldier in World War I. He returned to serve in World War II, organizing his own artillery battery. He was severely injured, injuries he never fully recovered from. While in hospital, he publicly criticized the Canadian war effort and the lack of trained recruits, embarrassing the Canadian prime minister. He continued to be outspoken during his lifetime. He publicly opposed Canada's new flag and resigned from the Maple Leafs Gardens board when the Gardens held a Muhammad Ali boxing match, over Ali's refusal to serve for the U. S. Army in the Vietnam War.

Smythe was a successful horse breeder and racing stable owner. His interest began as a youth, spending time at the track with his father. He bought his first horse in the 1920s and owned horses from then until he sold them to finance his regiment in World War II. He returned to breeding and racing horses in the 1950s and owned a stable and farm until his death. One of the horses he bred was Wonder Where which won Canadian Horse of the Year. In all, Smythe's horses won 145 stakes races.

Smythe was a philanthropist, contributing to several Canadian charities and also helping in fund-raising. His efforts helped build several permanent facilities for disabled children, deaf persons and the blind. He set up The Conn Smythe Foundation private charity, which was later continued by his son Hugh and grandson Thomas. Smythe donated most of his estate to the Foundation, including his stable and farm.

He was married only once, to Irene Sands, marrying her while still in university. Together, they ran the C. Smythe Ltd sand and gravel business until her death in 1965. They had four children, one of whom, Stafford, continued the Smythe ownership of the club; their other son Hugh was a director of the Gardens and a successful doctor, and, for a time, the Maple Leafs' doctor. Stafford's son Thomas also worked at the Gardens. Hugh and Thomas would manage the Foundation after Conn's death in 1980.