The Maroons joined the league in 1924 along with the Boston Bruins, the first American team. At that time, the Maroons were one of two Montreal teams in the league. While the Montreal Canadiens drew primarily francophone fans, the Maroons largely drew fans from the anglophone neighbourhoods of Montreal. The defunct Montreal Wanderers had been targeted as a team for anglophone fans before they folded just five games into their inaugural season.
The Maroons participated in the longest NHL playoff game of all time, losing 1-0 to the Detroit Red Wings in 176:30 of play (16:30 of the sixth overtime period) on March 24-25, 1936.
Well-known players included Nels Stewart, Hooley Smith, Babe Siebert, and Clint Benedict.