1938 - 39 Trail Smoke Eaters This team represented Canada at the 1939 World Championship . History . The Trail Smoke Eaters on their 1938 - 39 Europe an tour set in the annuals of international hockey what is likely to stand for a great many years . They were true ambassadors to the world , and displayed a brand of hockey that saw excellent stickhandling , and superb passing ; and with very little body contact . Everywhere on the Continent , the Smoke Eaters found themselves surrounded by enthusiastic crowds , who literally mobbed them in autograph - seeking fervor , after every appearance . Easily the most colourful team to ever play abroad , the Canadian champions were immensely popular , and their success with foreign fans was tremendous - - and at times amazing . What a contrast to the Canadian teams touring Europe the last twenty or so years ! Today , they need police protection in most European cities . It was generally agreed that their inspiring play did more to promote the game throughout the nine countries they visited , than the efforts of any other single organisation . The Smoke Eaters made only a couple of changes from their Allan Cup team , and made the gruelling trip with only 13 players . Coach Elmer Piper left the club for a similiar post with the Turner Valley Oilers of the Alberta Senior League , after only spending one season with the Smokies . His position was taken over by Ab Cronie , who doubled as a playing - coach . Captain Dave Duchak also passed up the trip by accepting a job as the playing - coach of the Calgary Stampeders . Art Forrest , a native Trail product , returned after a stint with a hockey team in London , England , and filled in for Duchak . Forrest ' s trip was short cut , for while the Smoke Eaters were playing a two game exhibition game series in Lethbridge against the Maple Leafs , on the first leg of their Trans - Canada tour , he was rushed to the hospital for an appendectomy . Benny Hayes , a slick forward with the Lethbridge Maple Leafs , was picked up by the Trail club , and proved himself a valuable member . The Smoke Eaters only managed one exhibition at home , before starting their 15 , 000 mile trip , and that was an easy 8 - 1 victory over the newly formed Trail Blazers . Injuries played a big factor in the Smoke Eaters poor showing across Canada , and they only managed to win eight , tied one game , and lost six in the 15 game series - - but they came on strong by winning six of their last seven games in Eastern Canada . They outscored the Canadian teams 65 goals to 41 . The Smoke Eaters embarked from Halifax on 10 December , 1938 , and arriving in Scotland , made their first European showing in Glasgow on 17 December , and won the game 4 - 2 . It marked the beginning of a 55 game schedule , in which they won 53 games , tied one , and lost one . From the time the Smoke Eaters left Trail , until they returned with the World Championship , they played a total of 71 games - - they won 62 , lost seven and were held to two draws . Trail scored a total of 374 goals , and were scored on 177 times ; their average game scored was 5 . 3 goals scored and the against average 1 . 5 - - a remarkable record which will probably never be equallled . The ten day World Championship Tournament started on February 3 , 1939 , and was held in Basel and Zurich ; two of the greatest little cities perched in the picturesque Swiss Alps . Before the tournament ended on February 12th , the Trail Smoke Eaters had won the hearts of all the Swiss fans , and went about the business of winning the championship in methodical style . Trail sailed through the tournament without a single defeat , and won eight straight games . In fact , they were only scored on once , by Czechoslovakia . The Czechoslovaks proved the toughest team to pass , as the low score indicated . The Smokies met the Czechs in the third round of the tourney , and skated to a convincing 4 - 1 triumph . Here ' s the way the Trail Smoke Eaters marked up their victories : First round they beat the Netherlands 8 - 0 and Poland 4 - 0 . In the second round they shut out Britain 4 - 0 , and defeated Germany 9 - 0 . In the third and final round they shut out Switzerland 7 - 0 , before 16 , 000 fans , and continued their brilliant play by stopping Czechoslovakia 4 - 1 , and blanking the United States 4 - 0 . In the eight game finals the Smoke Eaters garnered 42 goals , with Bunny Dame pacing the team with nine goals . Bunny was followed by Joe Benoit and Jimmy Morris , seven ; Dick Kowcinak , six ; Johnny McCreedy four ; Ab Cronie , three ; Mel Snowden and Mickey Brennen , two each ; and Tom Johnston a singleton . Cronie was the leading player in the assist department with nine ; followed by McCreedy with seven . Joe Benoit was the overall point leader with 13 . Duke Scodellaro received real praise for his outstanding goaltending , and the European fans said , " They never saw his equal . " Duke had a powerhouse defence playing in front of him : in Jimmy Haight , Tom Johnston and Mel Snowden . Joe Benoit , Ab Cronie and Bunny Dame were Trail ' s number one line ; the Smoke Eaters other forward line consisted of McCreedy , Kowcinak and Brennen . Benny Hayes was used as the utility forward ; Buck Buchanan ( a former North Battleford Beavers ) was the backup goalie to Duke Scodellaro . Buchanan turned in a number of sparkling performances . O . H . Nelson , President of the Smoke Eaters , made the overseas tour , and acted a manager - - and proved himself a most popular man . The Smoke Eaters certainly advertised the city of Trail . Throughout Europe and by not wearing the customary Canadian white uniform , the club decided to go with their famous , and colourful , orange and black jerseys . Sports writers all over the country were intrigued by the symbols of the Smoke Eater name , and the stacks belching out a stream of smoke , high above the CM & S ( Cominco Mining & Smelting ) Smelter . European Tour . Dec 17 4 - 2 Scotland All Stars @ Glasgow See Also . Canadian Team Overseas Exhibition Tours