Howie's reputation preceded him his early days of hockey while playing for the Stratford Midgets of the OHA and the Stratford Indians of the OHA Senior League. While Morenz never stood over his peers in the regular season, in the playoffs he became unstoppable. In his five years of pre NHL play he led the leagues he played in all categories for 4 of those years! He led in goals, assists (except for 1923 playoffs), points and in penalty minutes!

Howie was signed by Montreal owner Leo Dandurand in 1922 as he began to rebuild him Canadiens. With players like Newsy Lalonde gone, Dandurand needed some new blood…some new speed.

Morenz's career began in the 1923-24 season when he helped lead Montreal to its first Stanley Cup victory. The following season Morenz followed up with 27 goals in 30 games with 7 assists, second in the league to his line mate Aurel Joliat. Over the next 7 consecutive seasons Morenz would lead the Canadiens in scoring in both goals and points, and Howie was rewarded for his abilities by winning the NHL scoring title in 1927-28 and 1930-31, both times with a career his of 51 points. The Art Ross Trophy was not around at that time so all he received was the title of Top Scorer.

In the 1927-28 season, Morenz was the first player to win the Hart Trophy as the most valuable to his team and also led the Canadiens to back to back Stanley Cup Championships in 1930-31 and 1931-32. He also repeated his Hart Trophy award in 1931 and again in 1932.

Morenz always gave 110%, and over the years his determination and aggressive style of play took its toll on Howie through various injuries. A broken thumb, twisted ankle and sprained wrist caused the Canadiens to reevaluate Howie's benefit to the team and on October 3, 1934 he and Lorne Chabot and Marty Burke were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for Leroy Goldsworthy, Lionel Conacher and Roger Jenkins.

Howie stayed with the Blackhawks for a little over one season but was traded to the New York Rangers on January 26, 1936 for Glenn Brydson. Howie saw action in only 19 games for the Rangers and with his former Montreal Canadiens having a tough time, he was brought back once more to try and breath some life into the ailing club when on September 1, 1936 he was traded back from the Rangers for cash.

It was January 28, 1937 when Howie made his final rush. He was knocked off balance by Chicago's Earl Siebert and landed heavily into the boards, catching his skate in a small rut in the ice. It is said that you could hear the snapping of Howie's leg throughout the entire arena. Howie must have known it was bad, because while he was in the hospital he said to his Aurel Joliat his linemate and friend, that he would watch the Canadiens "from up there", looking towards the heavens.

Howie Morenz died on March 8, 1937. His death is listed officially as a coronary embolism, but those who know him said he died of a broken heart. Howie's casket was at center ice of the Montreal Forum where over 10,000 people turned out for his funeral and thousands more lined the streets of the funeral procession to pay their final respects to one of hockey's most talented performers.

On November 2, 1937, the NHL played its second All Star Game for the benefit of the Morenz family. In all, Morenz won the Hart Trophy 3 times, won the scoring title twice and was selected to the NHL First All Star Team twice and the Second All Star Team once. His number 7 sweater hangs proudly from the Molson Centre, retired by the Canadiens forever. He played in one All Star game and in 1945, he became one of the first 12 players inducted into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame.