Milt Schmidt

Canadian ice hockey center who led Boston Bruins to two Stanley Cups and won Hart Trophy as NHL's most valuable player in 1951.

Milton Conrad Schmidt was born in Kitchener, Ontario in 1918. He spent his entire playing career with the Boston Bruins — as the centre of the famous Kraut Line alongside Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer, all from Kitchener. He won two Stanley Cup championships (1939, 1941). He won the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion in 1940. He and his entire line voluntarily enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 — mid-season — sacrificing four of his prime playing years to wartime service. They returned in 1945 and Schmidt continued playing until 1955. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 and named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. He later became the Bruins' general manager and coach — building the team that acquired Bobby Orr. His sacrifice during World War II, combined with his playing excellence, made him one of the most respected figures in Boston sports history.

Schmidt was known for his exceptional two-way play, combining strong offensive skills with defensive responsibility as a center. He possessed excellent passing ability and hockey intelligence, making him an ideal playmaker for the highly successful Kraut Line. His leadership qualities and work ethic made him a natural team captain and respected figure in the locker room.

Schmidt's impact extends beyond his playing career, as he helped shape the Boston Bruins organization for decades through his roles as player, coach, and executive. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 and his number 15 was retired by the Bruins.

• Stanley Cup 2x (1929,1939)
• Art Ross Trophy (1940)
• Hart Trophy
• Hall of Fame (1961)
• NHL 100 Greatest Players