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Frank Mahovlich

Frank Mahovlich is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former senator in the Senate of Canada.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Frank Mahovlich is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former senator in the Senate of Canada. Nicknamed “The Big M,” he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and teams in the World Hockey Association, and he later served as a Liberal senator.

Early life

Mahovlich was born in Timmins, Ontario, in 1938. He is described as the son of a Croatian immigrant miner.

NHL and WHA career

He made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs and later played for the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens, before finishing his professional career in the World Hockey Association.

Championships and honours

Mahovlich won six Stanley Cups, was the 1957–58 Calder Trophy winner, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981. He was also named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players in 2017.

Public life

After hockey, Mahovlich became a Liberal senator in the Canadian Senate, serving from 1998 until his retirement in 2013.

Key facts

  • Won six Stanley Cups during his professional hockey career.
  • Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.
  • Played 1,181 NHL regular-season games, scoring 533 goals and 1,103 points.
  • Was named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players in 2017.
  • Served as a senator in the Parliament of Canada after his playing career.
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Canadian context

Mahovlich is a notable Canadian hockey figure from Ontario who also served in the Senate of Canada, making him relevant to both Canadian sports history and public life.[1][6]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Frank Mahovlich?
Frank Mahovlich is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former Canadian senator.
What was Frank Mahovlich’s nickname?
His nickname was “The Big M.”
Which teams did he play for?
He played in the NHL for Toronto, Detroit, and Montreal, and in the WHA for Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls.
How many Stanley Cups did he win?
He won six Stanley Cups in total.
When was he inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?
He was inducted in 1981.
Did he serve in politics?
Yes. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1998 and served until 2013.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Mahovlich
    Supports: Birth date and place, nickname, brother Peter, Hockey Hall of Fame, six Stanley Cups, and Liberal senator role.
  2. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/frank-mahovlich-nhl-career-had-memorable-opening-act
    Supports: NHL career totals, teams, Stanley Cups, Calder Trophy, retirement, and Senate service.
  3. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/frank-mahovlich-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players-284312184
    Supports: 100 Greatest NHL Players designation and career scoring totals.
  4. The Hockey Writers — https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/frank-mahovlich/
    Supports: Biography, Hall of Fame status, Stanley Cups, All-Star selections, and brother Peter.
  5. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frank-Mahovlich
    Supports: Canadian politician and ice hockey player identification and Stanley Cup-era team context.