Joseph Donat Raymond - Born January 3, 1880 in Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka, Quebec - Died June 5, 1963 in Montreal, Quebec was a Canadian ice Hockey financier, builder, owner and Canadian Senator

- Stanley Cup Champion 1926, 1935 with Montreal Maroons, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956, 1957 with Montreal Canadiens.
Stanley Cup finalist 1928, 1947, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955.

- Prince of Wales Trophy Champion 1926 with Montreal Maroons, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1956 with Montreal Canadiens.

- O'Brien Trophy Champion 1926, 1930, 1936 with Montreal Maroons, 1947 with Montreal Canadiens.

- Allan Cup Champion 1947 with Montreal Royals.
- Hamilton B. Wells Trophy Champion 1947 with Montreal Royals.

- Memorial Cup Champion 1949, 1950 with Montreal Royals
- George Richardson Memorial Trophy Champion 1949, 1950 with Montreal Royals.

Donat Raymond was in the thick of professional Hockey, when the National Hockey Association / NHA folded, and the National Hockey League / NHL started.

A successful business figure with a passion for Hockey, Senator Donat Raymond was the driving force behind professional Hockey in Montreal for nearly half a century.

Raymond spearheaded the formation of the Canadian Arena Company of which he was president from 1923 to 1955.

The Canadian Arena Company owned the Montreal Arena / Westmount Arena, a historic Hockey arena, where the early greats of the game played. It was home to the Montreal Wanderers and Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens won their 1st (pre-NHL) Stanley Cup in this building on March 30, 1916 against the Portland Rosebuds. The Wanderers also won Stanley Cup championships in the Montreal Arena.

The Canadian Arena Company, also built with Toronto investors, the Arena Gardens / Mutual Street Arena in Toronto, Ontario and operated the Toronto Arenas Hockey team in 1917–18.

The Canadian Arena Company built the original Montreal Forum in 159 days, opening on November 29, 1924.

The Canadian Arena Company ownership group were primarily businessmen with an keen eye on profits, headed by Liberal Senator Donat Raymond, James Strachan, and William Northey.

The Montreal Forum was home to the Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938, winning the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935 at The Forum. Donat Raymond owned / president the Maroons when they won in 1935 and was a club director in the 1926 championship season.

The Montreal Forum was also home of the Montreal Canadiens. Donat Raymond was Canadiens President/Chairman/Owner for Stanley Cup championships in 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956 and 1957.

The Canadian Arena Company helped in the demise of the Maroons and the rise of the Canadiens, also influencing the original Toronto team ownership in 1917.

Liberal Party of Canada Senator
On December 20, 1926, Prime Minister Mackenzie King appointed Donat Raymond to the Senate to represent the De la Vallière senatorial division.
He served until his death at his office on June 5, 1963.

Sen. Donat Raymond was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.

Frank J. Selke Quote
“He got a terrific bang out of beating Toronto, especially if our boys roughed them up a good bit in doing so.”

NOTE
The National Hockey League / NHL was founded on November 26, 1917 at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal, which was owned by the Raymond family. The Windsor Hotel later hosted many meetings of the NHL.