The 1948–49 Chicago Black Hawks season was the team's 23rd season in the National Hockey League, and it was coming off a last-place finish in the 1947–48 season, failing to qualify for post-season play for the 2nd straight year. In goal, Jim Henry, who the Hawks acquired from the New York Rangers in exchange for Emile Francis and Alex Kaleta in the off-season, received all the action, winning 21 games and posting a GAA of 3.52.