One of Renfrew’s claims to fame is being the birthplace in 1909, of the National Hockey Association (NHA), which evolved into the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1917. M.J. O’Brien came to Renfrew scouting out the proposed Intercolonial railroad line from Kingston to Pembroke. He was born in Lochaber, Nova Scotia. He began his career as a water boy on the railroad at the age of 15.  While walking the area from Lanark towards Renfrew, he stopped in Calabogie at the farm of the Barry family.  There he met Jane (Jennie) Barry, who later became his wife.  They then settled in Renfrew and either built or renovated a house on Argyle Street.  Prior to that, M.J. O’Brien had stayed at the Dominion House Hotel in Renfrew while he worked on the railroad.  His vast fortune was made from railways, lumber industry, silver mines and many other business interests.  During the 1st World War, he built a munitions plant just outside Renfrew.

Hockey was a great interest in his life as he owned four of the first six teams of the National Hockey Association (NHA) 1909, which he and his son, Ambrose, had started.  They also created Les Canadiens hockey team of Montreal. 

Contact Number: (343) 361-0202

E-mail: nhabirthplacemuseum@cogeco.net