On December 4th, the Canadiens are founded by J. Ambrose O'Brien, a sportsman from Ottawa, with financial support from another magnate of the time, T.

C. Hare.

The latter providing the $1,000 required for the formation of a team as well as the $5,000 to guarantee the players' salaries. Playing in newly formed National Hockey Association, the Canadiens take the ice for the first time on January 5th, beating the Cobalt Silver Kings 7-6 in overtime before 3,000 spectators at Jubilee Rink.

There was not much success that year for the Canadiens as they finished with a woeful record of 2-10.