Cecil helped lead the team to three Stanley Cups, in 1924, 1930, and 1931. He was fired after a dispute with Canadiens' owner Leo Dandurand after leading the Canadiens to first place in the 1931–32 season, but after Dandurand and Joseph Cattarinich sold the Canadiens to Ernest Savard and Maurice Forget of the Canadian Arena Company, the Canadiens hit bottom in 1935–36. Cecil died after a lengthy illness in July 1940. Cecil's father, David Hart, donated the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1923. Cecil Hart was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.