12 assists, still placing him 18th in goal scoring, ahead of Edgar LaParade, Harry Watson, Elmer Lach, Milt Schmidt, Sweeney Shriner and even Bill Cowley and several others, all, who eventually joined the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1945–46, the NHL had implemented a one assist rule and although it was not always followed assiduously, assists were down 30% in the league over the previous year and this might account in part for Cain's low assist total; although throughout his 13-year NHL career, he counted more goals than assists four times. AHL play In 1946–47 Cain was sent to the Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). In four seasons, he scored 92 goals, and helped the Bears win their first Calder Cup. Near the end of his fourth season he had a serious injury. Driving home to Newmarket from Pennsylvania at the end of the season with his leg in a cast, he decided to retire from professional hockey at age 35. Cain claimed he was blackballed by Art Ross the fiery manager of the Bruins because he asked for a raise. In Brian McFarlane's book, The Bruins, Cain is quoted as saying that in 1946 the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks were eager to acquire his services. Cain's daughter Colleen corroborates McFarlane's reporting. Hockey Hall of Fame When a benefit was held to raise money for his cancer treatment in the 1960s, members of the NHL hockey squad sent Cain a telegram indicating that he had been nominated to the Hockey Hall of Fame. To date, Herb Cain remains the only NHL scoring champion who is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Personal life Cain devoted himself to Newmarket, his wife Shirley and their children, Terry and Colleen, who claims she was skating at two. Herb coached the Junior C team, the Newmarket Smokies and they won the Ontario championship in 1956, '58 and '59. In 1964 when Cain was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Doctors at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital prescribed chemotherapy. He was expected to die but lived another 17 years. Awards and achievements 1943–44 NHL Scoring Leader 1943–44 NHL Second Team All-Star - Left Wing Records 1943–44 - Set NHL record for most points in a season with 82 Career statistics See also Notable families in the NHL References External links Herb Cain photos on the Web 1912 births 1982 deaths Boston Bruins