1944 in Canadian football


The Hamilton Flying Wildcats were trying to defend their championship, but the St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy team finished off a Cinderella season by returning the Grey Cup back to Montreal for the first time since 1931.

Canadian football news in 1944

The WIFU and the IRFU suspended operations for the duration of World War II.
In late August, the Winnipeg Rugby Club suspended operations for the 1944 season. The team loaned its equipment to local high schools.
The Regina Roughriders disbanded in early October. Unlike the previous season, the 1944 Roughriders did not have servicemen available to the team. Regular practices were conducted but the team gave up on the season when they failed to recruit enough civilian men to field a team.

Regular season

Final regular season standings

Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points
Western Interprovincial Football Union
Interprovincial Rugby Football Union

  • Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs.

Navy and Armed Services playoffs

  • The Navy playoffs did not affect the Grey Cup playoffs. The Grey Cup was played between the ORFU winners and the QRFU winners despite the Toronto Navy team beating the QRFU champions. The OSFL did not participate in the Grey Cup playoffs.

    Manitoba Inter-Services Rugby League

  • Bombers won the total-point series by 26-12. The MISRL did not compete for the Grey Cup.

    Ontario Rugby Football League playoffs

  • Hamilton will play the St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy in the Grey Cup.

    Grey Cup Championship

1944 Ontario Armed Services Football League All-Stars

NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.

1944 Canadian Football Awards

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