After the
Canadian Hockey Association (CHA) turned down
Ambrose O'Brien's
Renfrew Creamery Kings application for membership on November 25, 1909, O'Brien, along with
Jimmy Gardner of the (also rejected)
Montreal Wanderers organized the new National Hockey Association. The Wanderers desired a competitor team based in Montreal and Gardner suggested a team of francophone players to O'Brien to play on the rivalry between francophones and anglophones in Montreal. Gardner suggested that it be named 'Les Canadiens.' The new team was founded at the new NHA's meeting on December 4, 1909. O'Brien put up $5000 security for the new franchise on the "condition that it would be transferred to Montreal French sportsmen as soon as practicable."
Jack Laviolette was hired to organize the new team, its official name
Le Club de Hockey Le Canadien. Laviolette's other signings went much more easily.
Newsy Lalonde signed on December 14 and he reported the next day to complete the roster. When the CHA folded in January 1910, the franchise was offered by O'Brien to Le National but they declined to purchase the franchise. The Nationals turned down the offer, not willing to take on the contract to play in the Jubilee Rink, the cost of the player contracts of $6200 and debts of $1400. Le National, an established organization of some 14 years, instead folded their team. ==Regular season==