During this time, he played for the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Eagles, and was nicknamed the "Shawville Express."

[3] Finnigan suffered a heart attack on December 18, 1991, and he died on Christmas Day in 1991 in Shawville Hospital.

[2] Finnigan was an integral member of the 1927 Stanley Cup champion Senators team, playing on a line with Hec Kilrea and Frank Nighbor.

He found a job in the Government of Canada through Frank Ahearn, former owner of the Senators, and later Member of Parliament in Ottawa.

During World War II, Finnigan joined the Canadian Air Force, and was a member for seven years.

Finnigan eventually overcame his problems with alcohol and sold the hotel and retired, remaining in the Shawville area.

[6] When the NHL planned to expand in 1989, the consortium to obtain a franchise for Ottawa signed Finnigan to be part of the 'Bring Back The Senators' campaign team.

Finnigan died before the new team played its first game in 1992, for which he was scheduled to drop the puck for the ceremonial face-off.

[7] The street in front of the main entrance to the Ottawa Senators' arena, Canadian Tire Centre, is named Frank Finnigan Way in his honour.