[1] The game played on 21 April 1938 was the first one organized by any major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, to take place outside North America.
Later, in 1932, when Lester Patrick, Frank's brother and head coach of the New York Rangers, had a deal to have his team play exhibition games in London and other European cities, he too asked the Canadiens to join him on the tour.
Yet another plan arose three years later, when Leo Dandurand, the general manager of the Canadiens, announced on February 8, 1935, that his team is "virtually certain" to undertake an eight-game tour of London, Paris, Berlin, and Milan, playing two games in each city.
After the Detroit Red Wings won the 1937 Stanley Cup, their second in a row, they failed to make the 1938 playoffs, placing last in the American Division and second-to-last overall.
After the Canadiens were eliminated from the playoffs on March 26, Cecil Hart, Montreal's head coach, announced tentative plans for a trip to London and Paris.
[20] The first game of the tour took place at Empress Hall,[21] Earls Court, a suburb of London on April 21 in front of 8,000 spectators.
Jack Adams, Detroit's head coach, addressed the crowd at various points during the game, explaining the differences between NHL rules and those of the English amateur league.
Montreal's goaltender Wilf Cude, a native of Wales, was presented with a wreath of leeks and received an ovation.
Montreal's Johnny Gagnon scored three goals, and Detroit rallied twice from behind putting continuous pressure on the Canadiens in the third to force overtime, which went scoreless and the game ended in a 5–5 tie.
[24] The second game in Paris took place on April 27 in front of a raving crowd, and the Red Wings won 4–3, coming back with three goals in the third period, after being down 3–1.
Trailing at the end of the third period, Detroit head coach Jack Adams pulled his goaltender Normie Smith for an extra attacker, but the Red Wings failed to get the tying goal.
The overall reception of the tour was very enthusiastic despite poor publicity, although reportedly the English fans were disappointed that the games did not feature as much body-checking as they were hoping for.
The head coaches of both teams agreed the tour was wonderful and a success, and the players proclaimed it was the greatest experience of their lives.
[31][32] Fifteen years later, in early March 1953, the Montreal Canadiens announced plans for a tour of Europe, visiting England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, and possibly other countries.
[33][34] However, on March 25 Montreal's general manager Frank Selke said that Chicago players did not want to make the trip and so the tour was in jeopardy.
According to Bill Tobin, Chicago's president, the scheduling did not work out, and the teams were only left with the proposition of playing ten games in England.