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Marguerite Ann "Marge" Norris was the first female NHL owner, executive and Stanley Cup Champion. She, her sister Eleanor and her brothers James and Bruce inherited shares in Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers, following the death of their father James on December 4, 1952.
To make things less complicated, arrangements were made to have Eleanor, Marguerite and Bruce own the Red Wings, while James would own the Chicago Black Hawks and the Rangers. In practice, this meant that James sold his shares in the Red Wings, while the rest of the Norris family sold their shares in the Rangers.
While disliked by many men of her time for her independence, the 25-year-old was favored by her father to succeed him at the helm of the Red Wings as she was familiar with the sport and had a business and management background. She was the team President from 1952 to 1955. His father's trust in her was not misplaced as Red Wings won the Stanley Cup twice under her command.
His brother Bruce managed to replace her as the President, relegating her to the role of Vice President. The team was not able to renew its prior success under her brother's command. The Red Wings was sold to Marian and Mike Ilitch in 1982. They also owned their CHL/AHL affiliate, first based in Missouri and then in Virginia and New York, and held a stake (40%) in their IHL affiliate, the Kalamazoo Wings.
She passed away on May 12, 1994.
Family relations
Father: James E. Norris
Brothers: James D. Norris & Bruce Norris
Sister: Eleanor Norris
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