Howie Morenz was one of the NHL's superstars of the 1930s. However, his career, and eventually, life, ended in a game between his Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks on January 28, 1937, at the Montreal Forum. In that game, Morenz was checked by Chicago player Earl Seibert into the boards in what seemed like a normal hit. However, as the boards were made of wood at the time, Morenz's leg shattered in five separate locations above the ankle. Morenz was carried off the ice on a stretcher to a hospital, where he died, not because of the leg injury, but because of his family, friends, and a legion of fans, all wanting to wish him well. At one time, one visitor noted that it was as if a party was being held inside of Morenz's hospital room, complete with whiskey and beer. Morenz died on March 8 the same year, from, as teammate Aurel Joliat put it, "a broken heart" (Morenz suffered a heart attack the night before). Morenz's #7, which had been hanging in its usual stall while he was in hospital, was finally retired for good.

While Morenz was in hospital, plans for a game for Morenz's benefit were already under way. However, the game was not as successful as Bailey's game, partially because it took place many months after Morenz's passing, on November 3 at the Forum, and partially because Morenz had not survived. The game saw two All-Star teams, the first being a team of stars from the Habs and the Montreal Maroons, the second being an All-Star team made of players from the other teams, with the latter team winning 6-5.