A behind-the-scenes builder of hockey in Montreal going back to the sport's earliest organized leagues, Northey served as the Canadiens' vice president from 1947 to 1956 and then as president for the 1956–57 season. His name was engraved on the Stanley Cup three times during his years running the club (1953, 1956 and 1957), and his tenure closed out the final season before the Molson family purchased the Canadiens in the summer of 1957.