Patrick brothers’ major concern was finding high-caliber players to fill out the rosters for the three West Coast teams. Having played a number of years in eastern pro leagues, Frank and Lester acknowledged that the best place to plan their player raids would be the talent-rich National Hockey Association. Having played previously in Renfrew, Lester Patrick lured ex-teammates Bobby Rowe and Bert Lindsay, as well as Renfrew’s Don Smith, to the West Coast. Patrick supplemented his Renfrew connection with Tom Dunderdale from the Quebec Bulldogs, Skinner Poulin from the Canadiens and Walter Smaill from the Montreal Wanderers. In fact, the complete starting lineup for the Aristocrats comprised ex-NHA veterans. Frank Patrick’s septet was headed by ex-Canadiens and Renfrew star Newsy Lalonde. New Westminster’s playing coach Jimmy Gardner, formerly with the Wanderers, enticed Ernie Johnson away from the Montreal team. Ken Mallen joined the Royals from Quebec and minding the nets was Ontario Professional Hockey League veteran Hugh Lehman.
Newsy Lalonde
Vancouver Millionaires

initial Pacific Coast Hockey Association season opened on January 2, 1912 in Victoria. At the 4,000-seat Victoria arena, 2,500 fans turned out to watch the Aristocrats take on the New Westminster Royals. Ran McDonald of the Royals had the honor of netting the first goal in PCHA history. McDonald, with four goals, paced the Royals to an 8-3 victory. The dubious distinction of first league penalty went to Don Smith of Victoria. Many of the league players had volunteered their services as on-ice officials. Vancouver’s Tom Phillips acted as the referee. Frank Patrick showed his offensive prowess when he scored a record (for defensemen) six goals against New Westminster on March 5 as the Millionaires walloped the Royals 10-6. Frank would end the season as the highest scoring defenseman with 24 goals. The Millionaires’ Newsy Lalonde, in his first and only PCHA season, was not only the scoring champ with 27 goals but was also the PCHA badman with 60 penalty minutes.

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