ATD2025 Bio Thread

[BenchBrawl]

Post your biographies here.

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[Professor What]

RED KELLY

​

First of all, kudos to @TheDevilMadeMe for the work on the 2014 bio, which this extensively borrows from.

Scoring among defensemen:

Goals: 1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,3,5,5

Assists: 1,1,1,2,2,2,3,3,5,8,10,10

Points: 1,1,1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,5,5,10



Scoring among all players: (D) means scored as a defenseman

Assists: 2,4(10),6(D),8(D),8,9(D),10(D)

Points: 6(D),6,8(D),9(D)



Hart voting: 2,3,3,4

Doug Harvey for comparison: 2,3,5,5,5

No other defenseman finished top five in voting for the award from 1947-1966.



In 2018, The Hockey News awarded Kelly three “Retro” Norris trophies, finding him to be the best defenseman in the NHL for each of the final three years before the award was first handed out (1951, 1952, 1953). He also won the inaugural Norris Trophy (1954). This would bring Kelly to an overall total of 4. Lending further credence to this idea is the fact that Kelly was a unanimous first team all-star in each of these three seasons. Thus, it seems accurate to say that from the 1950-51 season to the 1953-54 season, Kelly was the best defenseman in the world.

He was a six-time first team all-star (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957) and a two-time second-team all-star (1950, 1956). Additionally, he won four Lady Byng Trophies (1951, 1953, 1954, 1961) and played in 12 all-star games.



Quotes:

“I can tell you as you go through the history of defensemen in the NHL, they talk about Eddie Shore, they talk about Red Kelly, they talk about Doug Harvey, they talk about Bobby Orr, they talk about Nick Lidstrom and a few other from the '80s and '90s.

“But Red Kelly was the premier offensive defenseman throughout his time in Detroit,” – Scotty Bowman

“So Mild-mannered, never uttering a curse word, Kelly nevertheless was one of the NHL's most feared fighters during those rare occasions when he engaged in fisticuffs. Likewise, he was a nonparalled defenseman, yet he could carry the puck on attack better than most of the foremost forwards.” – Detroit Red Wings Greatest Moments and Players

“To this day he remains the most underrated superstar to come down the pike. Yet his dossier cannot be disputed. He was the balance wheel of champions as a defenseman in Detroit, and, as a center, the most decisive factor in creating a dynasty in Toronto more than a decade later. No other hockey player can make that statement. – Stan Fischler

“Kelly, for instance, ranked ninth among all NHL scorers with the 54 points in 1950-51. Last year he placed eighth with 46 points (the next nearest defenseman was Doug Harvey, 26th with 34 points). His 19 goals last year ranked him 14th in that department.Strangely enough, neither of Kelly’s best totals are NHL records. He fell one short of the goal mark last year, Flash Hollett having made 20 while a Detroiter. And three years ago he came within three of Babe Pratt’s record of 57 points by a defenseman, made while Babe was with Toronto.Despite all this scoring year after year, Kelly still maintains tne reputation of also being the best defensive defenseman in the business.” – Hockey News

“Along with all that, he’s a master of the pokecheck, having learned that lesson well while playing alongside Bill Quackenbush his first few yearn with the club. Although he’s not known as a hitting defender, Kelly can bodycheck when necessary. Once in a while Ivan tells him to dish out a few checks just to keep from being rusty.” – Hockey News

“He was so strong, and that was something you can’t forget. That was one of his great strengths, his strength, along with his skating. He could handle himself, and there was really nobody who could push him around because of his strength. He was the only guy who was strong enough to play against Beliveau, and he skated as well.” – Dave Keon

“Red Kelly was a unique player - versatile and talented enough to be one of the National Hockey League's best-ever defensemen early in his career and a high-scoring center at the end. The red-haired gentleman was cool and calculating on the ice and never swore, but there was no doubt about his ability to take care of himself. He had been a championship boxer at Toronto's St. Michael's College, skills the four-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy wouldn't often display during his 20-year NHL career.” – legendsofhockey

“Neither. I'll take Red Kelly.
Kelly is the best all-around performer in our league. Sure, Howe and Richard are great , but Red is not only great on defense , he can score too. He's the big reason Detroit has won five straight (regular season) championships.
When Kelly rushes up ice, it's something to see. He sparks Howe and Lindsay and the others. When we play the Wings, we go out to stop him. We feel there's a better chance of winning that way.” – Lynn Patrick when asked if Gordie Howe or Maurice Richard was the best player in the NHL.

“Leonard ‘Red’ Kelly very well might be the most underrated superstar in National Hockey League history.” – Joe Pelletier

“Without ever playing a game in the minor leagues Kelly stepped directly into the NHL in 1947-48. Before long he was establishing himself as the best defenseman in the league. He was the predecessor to Bobby Orr as the offensive defenseman in hockey as he easily outscored his fellow NHL defensemen.” – Joe Pelletier

“Yet as good as he was offensively, he was better defensively. He had an uncanny knack of reading plays and breaking them up, and he controlled the puck in his own zone adeptly. To make his defensive legend even more impressive, Kelly excelled without taking many penalties himself.” – Joe Pelletier



Quotes from HOH board members:

“Offense relative to other defensemen

Kelly: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5
Lidstrom: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5
Potvin: 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 5
Discussion: Kelly is the best offensive defenseman. He basically matches Lidstrom's performance despite converting to a forward 12 years into his career. If we include Kelly's career as a forward, we'd include 1961 (6th in scoring, 2nd in assists) and 1963 (13th in scoring, just 2 points out of 9th place). Lidstrom is clearly ahead of Potvin for 2nd place.
Source: Pnep

Offense relative to league

Data: here's how all three players compare, over their ten best years, relative to the league. Note I'm only including Kelly's years as a defenseman.
Kelly: 7th overall in scoring (1950-59)
Potvin: 10th overall in scoring (1975-84)
Lidstrom: 17th overall in scoring (1998-2008)
Source: hockey reference
Discussion: once again, Kelly is the best offensive defensemen. This time Potvin passes Lidstrom for second place.” – @Hockeyoutsider

“Red Kelly was better than two of his teammates currently up for voting: Lindsay and Sawchuk. First, let’s consider the evidence from hockey writers from the 1950s. The Hart trophy voters easily thought that Kelly was the Wings’ best player after Mr. Hockey. Red Kelly finished in the top three in Hart voting three times (1951, 1953, 1954). No other Wing (aside from Howe obviously) made it to the top three during the dynasty years, even once. In fact, Red Kelly alone had as many top-ten finishes as Lindsay and Sawchuk combined.

Even if you don’t think that Hart voting matters, consider this. The Detroit dynasty was able to win a Cup without Sawchuk (1950); they won without Abel (1954, 1955); they could win it even without Howe (1950). Only Kelly and Lindsay were the constants. However, the Wings had a great team in the late 1940s (including Lindsay) but couldn’t win their first Cup until Kelly emerged as an all-star defenseman in 1950. His ability to control both ends of the ice put them over the top.

Kelly’s last year as an all-star defenseman was in 1957 (when the Wings were 1st in the regular season, and Howe and Lindsay finished 1-2 in scoring). In 1958, Kelly’s first off year, the Wings dropped 18 points and 2 spots in the standings. Granted, Lindsay was gone in 1958, but the Wings only lost 22 goals for versus 50 goals against. Unless you want to make the case that Lindsay was somehow more important to the defense than Kelly, it was the loss of Kelly as an elite defenseman (and, of course, the emergence of the Canadiens), that ended the Wings’ dynasty.” – @Hockeyoutsider



Quotes from Sports Illustrated:

“On the attack, the Red Wings in general play a slam-bang, puck-hounding game, relying on manpower rather than on finesse to wear down their opponents. Their offensive sorties frequently have the advantage of a "fourth forward," the great Red Kelly, perennial All-Star defenseman and a natural play-builder, shown at right (No. 4) as he leads a rush toward the Rangers' goal. Three of the last four seasons, Kelly has ranked among the top ten scorers, the only defenseman to climb into that exalted circle.”

“With Detroit, Kelly has developed into the best defenseman in the league. An intelligent, graceful, superbly conditioned athlete, the All-Canadian Boy if there ever was one, Kelly, in the words of Fred Huber, the Wings' erudite publicity director, "can maneuver the puck with his skates better than most players can with their sticks." In an early-season game with the Bruins this year, Kelly scored three goals, the first defenseman to achieve "the hat trick" since Happy Day did it some two decades ago. In the offseason, Kelly returns to the village of Simcoe, Ontario, where his family has owned tobacco and fruit farms for four generations, and prepares himself for another hockey campaign by working in the fields, covering about 14 acres a day as he primes an average of 1,200 "sticks" of tobacco.”

“For several seasons now Harvey and Red Kelly of Detroit have been in a class of their own, a discernible cut above the other defensemen in the league. Kelly's style of play, of course, has always been an individual one. A marvelous, tireless skater, he has the energy and the speed and the maneuverability to serve not only as a stout defender but to double as a virtually cohesive part of the offense. This season " Detroit's fourth forward," as Kelly has been called for some time, was actually pressed into service as a forward. Jimmy Skinner, the Wings coach, made the move early in December, after his team had managed to win only 6 of its first 25 games and it seemed they might never get rolling. Skinner's second and third lines had not been producing at all, and he recognized that his first tactical adjustment—using his powerful first line of Howe, Reibel and Lindsay as often as they could climb over the boards—hadn't been getting him anyplace. Overwork was diminishing the H-R-L line's punch, and lack of work wasn't helping the confidence of his newly formed third line and the sluggishness of his second line. The defense had been functioning well, though. Pronovost had been playing fine hockey, Godfrey was doing all right, old Bob Goldham—he entered the NHL way back in 1941 with Toronto (can you believe it?)—was still getting around O.K.; furthermore, Larry Hillman, a very promising defenseman, could be recalled from the minors. So Skinner made his move. He switched Kelly to left wing on his first line and sent Lindsay down to juice up the second. It was a daring bit of juggling, and it worked. Almost overnight the Wings began to win at their customary clip, and until they dropped five out of those six points in that head-on series with Montreal, it looked as if they might be on their way to recapturing all of their old grinding efficiency.

As for Kelly, he was a revelation on left wing. He remained at that position for 26 games, until Pronovost was hurt and he had to be sent back to bolster the defense. Over that stretch Red scored 11 goals and assisted in 13 others, but these statistics barely intimate what an enormous amount of wing he played. One picture or, more accurately, one series of pictures remains clearly in my mind. It is Kelly back-checking with that effortless finesse of his, breaking up one enemy rush after another before they could even get started and generally creating the impression that progress up his side of the rink was virtually impossible, a road temporarily closed to traffic.”

“The Detroit Red Wings signed Kelly in 1947 at the precocious age of 19. He responded by helping them to eight championships and four Stanley Cups in 12 years. Then, in a deal that shocked the NHL, he was traded to New York near the close of the 1960 season. He had fallen into disfavor with Detroit General Manager Jack Adams, first for his frankness in facing Adams with the team's complaints ("I felt that was my duty as captain," says Kelly) and second for admitting to a newspaper reporter that Adams had urged him to play part of the previous season six days after breaking an ankle. The story created a sensation. " Adams tried to get the doctor to say the ankle wasn't broken," says Kelly, "but it was." Rather than report to last-place New York, Kelly decided to quit. Five days later, after considerable backstage maneuvering, league officials okayed a deal by which he was to report instead to Toronto, and Kelly changed his mind.

Red made his first appearance with Toronto the very next night. When his line skated onto the ice, the ex-Detroiter received a four-minute ovation that has never been matched in Maple Leaf Gardens. "Just when the applause should have died down," recalls Red, "everyone stood up."

In Detroit, Kelly had become one of the best defensemen in the league, but Punch Imlach, who is never inhibited by tradition, decided to make a center of him. In doing so, he lighted the spark that propelled a formerly floundering club to the finals of the Stanley Cup. In the semifinals Toronto met Detroit. "I never once looked up in that box where I knew Adams would be looking down at us," says Kelly softly. "I knew they'd be told to come after me, and they did, but it didn't bother me. The more they came the harder I fought. I figure it made me play better. I liked it."

Toronto liked it too. The Leafs grew even stronger the next year as Kelly fed long, daring passes to a brilliant but brooding young prodigy named Frank Mahovlich who, up to then, had failed to live up to his early promise. Under Kelly's influence Mahovlich's goal production rose from a 1960 total of 18 to 48 in 1961. Mahovlich went on to become the only big-league athlete worth an official $1 million at the auction block, but it was Kelly who was voted the team's most valuable player. One year later, Toronto finally regained that long-awaited Stanley Cup as Kelly, one of those largely responsible, set a career high of 22 goals scored and a personal low of only six minutes spent in the penalty box. "If you lose your temper while the puck's in play, you only give your opponents an easy chance to score," he says, explaining a philosophy that has long since established him as one of the cleanest players in the game.”



Notes from TDMM:

Kelly should be credited with the equivalent of 4 consecutive Norris Trophys

• He won the first ever Norris Trophy (1954) and was a unanimous First Team All Star the 3 previous years (1951, 1952, 1953).

If it weren't for Doug Harvey and playing 1/4 of 1956 as a LW due to injuries to other players, Kelly would almost certainly have had 7 consecutive Norris Trophys from 1951-1957

• 1955: Kelly was a close second to Harvey and way ahead of anyone else.
• 1956: Kelly fell behind Bill Gadsby for 2nd place in Norris and AS voting in a very close vote, but Kelly spent 1/4 of that season as a LW due to injuries to teammates. Red Burnett thought it cost him the 1st Team AS, a view supported by Hart voting. Kelly was 4th in Hart voting, Harvey 5th, and Gadsby didn't receive a single Hart vote.
• 1957: Kelly was a distant 2nd behind Harvey, and had a moderate but solid lead on #3.

Kelly was likely the best player in the world for the season of 1953-54, right in the middle of Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard's prime.

• Kelly finished a close 2nd in Hart voting to an Al Rollins (a goalie), and many people think that Rollins was being given credit for his previous season (when he lost the Hart to Gordie Howe the year Howe shattered all the records).
• Kelly was voted the best player of the year in a press poll. (At the time, the Hart Trophy really did seem to go to "most valuable," not best player).
• Note that Maurice Richard and Gordie Howe were both in their primes and finished 3rd and 4th in Hart voting respectively.

Kelly has immense career value - 12 years as a superstar defenseman, and 7 years as a key forward on a dynasty

• His forward career is sometimes underrated - he was top 10 in Hart voting twice (1962, 1967) and he played a key two-way role at center on the team that won 4 Cups.
• IMO, there is an argument that Kelly's 12 years as a defenseman alone are enough to equal Denis Potvin, then you add his time as a forward...

Offense

Kelly finished top 10 in NHL scoring 3 times as a defenseman (and once as a center), the only defenseman other than Orr and Coffey to finish top 10 in NHL scoring more than twice. Potvin and Shore are the only other ones to do it twice.

 

[ImporterExporter]

Aubrey "Dit" Clapper - D/RW - Boston Bruins - 1927-1947

Below is my career overview through many hours of newspaper researching with publishers plus on newspapers.com.

Entries are chronologically dated:

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Jan 2, 1929Page 16

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Mar 19, 1929Page 26

The Springfield Daily Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 20, 1929Page 7

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Mar 28, 1929Page 26

(1928-29), Clapper was used mostly as a wing but did see some action on the blueline in relief.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Mar 29, 1929Page 30

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Oct 23, 1929Page 23

Preview of the 29-30 season stating Clapper appears ready to ascend into star territory. He would.

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 13, 1929Page 10

Detailed description of Clapper goal shows he used opposing players as screen to score.

The Ottawa Journal​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 13, 1929Page 32

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Dec 13, 1929Page 41

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Dec 30, 1929Page 17

The Morning Union​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Thu, Jan 2, 1930Page 16

Feature on Dutch Gainor actually sheds a lot of light on just how rapid Clapper's rise in ability/output was been from 28-29 to the 29-30 campaign.

The Morning Union​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Jan 3, 1930Page 25

Clapper scouting report calls him "A rugged, sturdy player, he has tremendous strength in his wrists and can drive the pucik like a shot from a gun. It was his low, raking drives that flicked at lightning speed across the goalers feet that earned him so many goals earlier in the season."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Jan 8, 1929Page 27

Clapper was allowed away from the team for a game due to his fiancee's serious illness, which she would pass away from later in the month (a few entries below this)

The Leader-Post​

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada • Wed, Jan 15, 1930Page 15

In season scouting report of sorts by a Western paper no-less. Called "standout performer" in his new position. Heavy shot cited and he seems to have been the focal point of the attack.

The Windsor Star​

Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 20, 1930Page 17

Slick pass from Clapper to Weiland ends up being GW. Dit also scored a pair of goals.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Jan 22, 1930Page 18

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Jan 27, 1930Page 16

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Jan 28, 1929Page 21
The Boston Globe Archive
Clapper's fiancee passed away during the 29-30 season due to complications from an illness.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Feb 3, 1930Page 15

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Feb 5, 1930Page 8

Lester Patrick and Rangers offered huge sum to get Clapper in 1930.

The Windsor Star​

Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Feb 17, 1930Page 17

The Morning Union​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Thu, Feb 20, 1930Page 21

One of the standout players in the NHL. Has a right hand shot that "few, if any rival wings, can approach." Clapper rated among the stars of hockey.

The Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed, Feb 19, 1930Page 22

The Vancouver Sun​

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Mar 4, 1930Page 12

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 12, 1930Page 27

More citations of Clappers fast shots.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Mar 19, 1930Page 16

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Mar 20, 1930Page 25

"Dead-Eye" Dit Clapper, the greatest straight-away marksman in professional hockey."

The Kingston Whig-Standard​

Kingston, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Mar 27, 1930Page 10

Citation of Ching Johnson having his jaw broken in a head on collision w/Clapper

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Mar 28, 1930Page 41

Clapper's lighting shot cited again plus evidence of him PK'ing.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Apr 4, 1930Page 20
The Gazette Archive

This is big for Clapper. Even in a SCF series ending loss to the Morenz led Habs, Clapper was cited as spectacular, claiming a place as "one of the greatest wing players in hockey." And this is the Montreal Gazette, so you can throw any bias out the window.

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Aug 20, 1930Page 9

Ottawa Citizen reviewing the 29-30 campaign of Clapper. Officially listed as a defensemen interestingly, but obviously played RW, cited as being a "spectacular goal-getter" and "prime favorite in Boston."

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Nov 12, 1930Page 8

The Edmonton Bulletin​

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • Wed, Nov 12, 1930Page 16

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Nov 19, 1930Page 18

Chicago Tribune​

Chicago, Illinois • Wed, Nov 26, 1930Page 21

The Ottawa Journal​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Nov 28, 1930Page 28

The Herald Statesman​

Yonkers, New York • Fri, Dec 12, 1930Page 31

Star-Phoenix​

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • Fri, Dec 19, 1930Page 24

Diagram showing a popular combination between Clapper and Weiland.

The Vancouver Sun​

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Dec 19, 1930Page 28

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Dec 26, 1930Page 12

Clapper hat trick + beautiful jab/devastating right cross to knock down Kilera in a fight.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Jan 30, 1931Page 31

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 25, 1931Page 15

Clapper takes would Battleship Leduc in a big collision.

The Springfield Daily Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 25, 1931Page 18

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 30, 1931Page 18

The Morning Union​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Nov 6, 1931Page 35The Morning Union Archive
The Morning Union Archive

Clapper already noted as established star in NHL, possessing one of the hardest right handed shots.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Nov 18, 1931Page 21

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Dec 16, 1931Page 26

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Dec 21, 1931Page 17

The Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Tue, Jan 5, 1932Page 14

Charlie Gardiner names the 5 toughest players he's ever had to stop. Clapper is in some elite company.

Nels Stewart
Morenz
Bill Cook
C. Conacher (has hardest shot according to Gardiner)
Dit Clapper

Gardiner calls Clapper a "sweet all-around player and a good shot, too. I'd pick him as just a little above Ebbie Goodfellow of the Falcons for general effectiveness around the net."

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Jan 18, 1932Page 16

Montreal paper calls Clapper the Bruins' most deadly marksman, and in this game was their most effective.

The Times-Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Wed, Nov 23, 1932Page 2

The Winnipeg Tribune​

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Tue, Feb 28, 1933Page 15

The Springfield Daily Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Sun, Mar 26, 1933Page 19

The Windsor Star​

Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 28, 1935Page 23

The Calgary Albertan​

Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Mon, Mar 25, 1935Page 5

The Times-Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Mon, Mar 25, 1935Page 2

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Dec 30, 1935Page 10

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Jan 15, 1936Page 20

Victor Jones of the Globe states: Clapper "playing one of the best all-around wings I have ever gazed upon."

Short handed goal description:

"On the very first rush, Clapper, who not only covered his own right wing all night, but also roamed to the other flank, stole the puck from Charlie Conacher, eluded Bob Davidson with some blazing stick handling, and put the Bruins two goals up while the Bruins were shorthanded."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Mar 3, 1936Page 21

North Bay Nugget​

North Bay, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Mar 13, 1936Page 7

More evidence he was used to spell D at times.

"Dit likes to play up front but he is also a smart defenseman and has filled Eddie Shore's berth more than once. His 194 pounds, packed on a six-foot-two-inch frame, give him plenty of brawn to step into incoming forwards."

Calgary Herald​

Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Thu, Apr 2, 1936Page 6

Toronto rumor mill alleging Busher Jackson for Clapper was discussed/offered?!?

Daily Gleaner​

Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada • Fri, Oct 23, 1936Page 2

Clapper scouting report from 1936 (still a F at this point)

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Jan 5, 1937Page 20

Vic Jones calling some of the Boston faithful loud mouths, with little sense other than spewing verbal garbage.

Cites Clapper as being "for years Clapper has been rated one of the most valuable players in the league and I have seen him play some games on one leg which other players couldn't match with two."

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Feb 13, 1937Page 10

Art Ross emphatically stating that Clapper is not for sale, at any price.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Feb 22, 1937Page 14

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Feb 24, 1937Page 23

Winning goal was a Clapper SH variety (5th goal in 6 games). Dit and Cooney noted as sparkplugs of the line.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Mar 9, 1937Page 20

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Mar 20, 1937Page 9

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 22, 1937Page 16

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Mar 26, 1937Page 12

The great Dal MacDonald of the Montreal Gazette giving a firsthand account of Clapper's move back to D late in the 1936-37 season.

"For one who hasn't played defense for 10 years, Clapper proven that he has a remarkable memory of the finer points of this position. Dit came to Boston Tigers, then the farm club of the Bruins, 10 years ago as a defenseman and was converted into a right winger by Art Ross. Mr. Clapper, like the elephant, apparently never forgets. Certainly tonight as he steadied down the Boston defense he looked like an old hand at the job.

Eddie Shore couldn't have done better."

From the game report same paper:

"Reinforced by Clapper, the Bruin rearguard units which were unsteady in Montreal, played sound hockey here and the Bruins played confidently all the way to win a merited triumph.

It was Clapper too, acting as the 4th F on a power play, who shot home the first goal and sent the Bruins on their victory march."

Star-Phoenix​

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • Wed, Nov 3, 1937Page 14

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Nov 15, 1937Page 8

First game of the 37-38 campaign, Clapper on D. "Clapper will do at defense." Also called a "riot, knocking down 2 Rangers who tried to stop him."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Dec 7, 1937Page 21
The Boston Globe Archive

A fan tried to sue Clapper for 10K for being stuck by a puck shot by Dit,

The Brooklyn Citizen​

Brooklyn, New York • Fri, Feb 18, 1938Page 6

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Feb 18, 1938Page 21

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Feb 24, 1938Page 8

Boston Globe writer Vic Jones speaks to the ability of Clapper to protect his teammates.

Detroit Free Press​

Detroit, Michigan • Mon, Dec 19, 1938Page 13

Clapper beauty of a GW goal described

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Dec 20, 1938Page 11

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Dec 20, 1938Page 18

The Morning Union​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed, Jan 25, 1939Page 16

Fantastic overview on Clapper during the 38-39 season.

Noted to "have dropped into the defensive post like a hand fits into an old glove. With his tremendous physical bulk and strength, his ability to hit a stunning body check, to break quick on attack and set up plays, he quickly became one of the most valuable players on the entire Bruin rear guard."

Edmonton Journal​

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • Thu, Jan 26, 1939Page 7

Edmonton paper calls Clapper "one of the greatest hockey players of all time" during the musings of hockey rumor mill. It was suggested Clapper was headed to NY......but that obviously did not happen.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Feb 4, 1939Page 7

Baz O'Meara, the "hockey encyclopedia of Montreal" put Clapper and Babe Siebert on this AS team late in the 38-39 campaign over players like Earl Seibert and Art Coulter.

Evening Express​

Portland, Maine • Mon, Feb 13, 1939Page 14
Evening Express Archive

Clapper and Shore co-won the Bruins MVP award for the 38-39 season.

Star Weekly​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Feb 18, 1939Page 5

Clapper's scoring from the blueline is stellar

Calgary Herald​

Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Fri, Mar 3, 1939Page 7

Western paper calls Clapper "almost a dead cinch for an all-star spot."

"Dit, who once played right wing on the famous dynamite line, has been winning huzzas all season for his work at stopping them coming in and getting past them when he starts traveling out."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Mar 20, 1939Page 7
The Boston Globe Archive

Clapper playing with a broken toe, has a 4 point night, starring for the Bruins.

The Moncton Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Sat, Mar 25, 1939Page 6

Bill Hutchinson opinion piece regarding the AS teams for the 38-39 season.

He states "An all-Boston defense appeals to this writer strongly. They play the game the way we like it. Shore and Clapper know how to bust them or steer them to a corner and nobody can deny they know what it is all about when it comes to ripping into enemy territory when goals are needed. Clapper's wing experience has not been forgotten and Shore always was an artist at starting scoring threats.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Mar 25, 1939Page 6

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 29, 1939Page 10

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Mar 30, 1939Page 20

Vic Jones in an opinion piece, decries fighting, and notes that most hockey players are crappy "fighters". Clapper, however, led a group of players who buck that general trend in late 30's hockey. Dit was cited along with Bill Cook, Earl Seibert, Nels Stewart, and Lionel Conacher, along w/a few others who could actually fight on skates.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Apr 3, 1939Page 8

Clapper knocked another player out of a game (Shibicky) w/a body check.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Apr 17, 1939Page 4

Clapper doing some fine defensive work in the SCF clinching game

Wild fact. Both Clapper and Brimsek missed the Cup ceremony because they got into the showers too quickly! See picture below.

Daily News​

New York, New York • Mon, Apr 17, 1939Page 126

Great action shot of Clapper assisting on a Mel Hill goal during the SCF.

Daily Gleaner​

Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada • Tue, Oct 17, 1939Page 2

Clapper announced Captain by Art Ross before 39-40 season.

Telegraph-Journal​

Saint John, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada • Fri, Oct 20, 1939Page 8

Clapper listed as 211 lbs prior to the 39-40 season.

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Oct 28, 1939Page 12

Toronto Star refers to Clapper as a "great defenseman now." prior to 39-40 season.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Nov 15, 1939Page 20

Star Weekly​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Dec 2, 1939Page 36

Scouting report/bio on Clapper

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 22, 1939Page 11

Toronto speaks to Clapper's defensive brilliance.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Dec 23, 1939Page 4

Outstanding Clapper overview by Gerry Moore of the Globe.

The Times-Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada

1940 Scouting report cites Clapper as being one of the most versatile players of all time. His size, strength, heavy bodychecking, and speed were cited and his puck carrying abilities meshed very well with Art Ross' style of play.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Feb 3, 1940Page 4

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Feb 6, 1940Page 18

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Feb 7, 1940Page 11

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Feb 28, 1940Page 10

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 13, 1940Page 21

Clapper becomes 1st Bruin to win team MVP in unanimous vote.

Times Colonist​

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Mar 13, 1940Page 13

Western paper saying Clapper "has played better than ever at the blueline for the Bruins, since Eddie's departure. He also took home team MVP honors, after sharing it with Shore the previous season.

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Mar 13, 1940Page 16

Collyer's Eye and The Baseball World​

Chicago, Illinois • Sat, Mar 16, 1940Page 2

Illinois paper picks Clapper as 1st team D for 1939-40 stating "There is no questioning the selection of Dit Clapper. He not only is the season's top defense man but the most valuable player in the NHL as well."

BIG praise from a Blackhawks writer.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Mar 18, 1940Page 11

Brooklyn Eagle​

Brooklyn, New York • Tue, Mar 19, 1940Page 12

Brooklyn NY paper citing Clapper as the only Bruin defender capable of being a threat carrying the puck, possessing "savvy" and is "in a class with Bauer/Cowley (at carrying the puck).

The Times-Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Thu, Mar 21, 1940Page 2

Clapper repeating as the 1st team AS by a "tremendous vote" commending his "all-around work as captain and rusher with the Bruins after the departure of Eddie Shore.

I feel strongly by this point in time, Clapper has ascended to best Dman in the world. Some considered him the best player period.

Times Colonist​

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Mar 21, 1940Page 11

Sun-Journal​

Lewiston, Maine • Fri, Mar 29, 1940Page 12

Clapper toughness noted.

The Ottawa Journal​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Apr 16, 1940Page 16

Feature on Clapper and Goodfellow being as rugged and tough as they come in the NHL. Conn Smythe apparently wanted Clapper more than any Dman of that time period. Obviously a trade never transpired.

The Montreal Star​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Apr 19, 1940Page 31

Dick Irvin of Montreal wanted to acquire Clapper in 1940

The Montreal Star​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Apr 24, 1940Page 25

Baz O'Meara stating that there is virtually no chance the rumors of Clapper being available are true. Trading Clapper would bring the roof in on Art Ross

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Aug 7, 1940Page 13

Conn Smythe revisiting his efforts to try and lure Clapper away from Boston. Said Toronto would have "10 pennants dangling from the roof instead of one."

The Times-Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Sat, Nov 2, 1940Page 2

Cited as Canadian Press pick for an AS berth the previous 2 years, turning in "peak performances" of his career on the blueline.

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Nov 6, 1940Page 14

Clapper's coolness on the ice cited.

Telegraph-Journal​

Saint John, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada • Mon, Jan 20, 1941Page 10
Telegraph-Journal Archive

HJ Osborne feature on Clapper's 200th, stating Clapper "is looked on as one of the greatest of all-time stars in NHL warfare."

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 20, 1941Page 11
The Toronto Star Archive

The Herald-News​

Passaic, New Jersey • Wed, Feb 5, 1941Page 17

NJ paper feature on the importance of Clapper.

"It's hard to imagine them (rest of star players) achieving such a record without a big fellow named Aubrey Clapper in the line up every game.

"Clapper is still about the most important single individual on the Bruins team. Once a star forward, he's now the mainstay of a defense that's one of the best in the NHL, He still has the speed to go down and score a goal in an occasional "clutch."

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Feb 5, 1941Page 11

Clapper intercepting pass and going the length of the rink to score OT goal.

He was presented his 200th goal puck before the game by Ottawa mayor Stanley Lewis

The Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Feb 21, 1941Page 18

Frank Boucher calls Clapper best player in the world, 1941 (he'd later repeat this a few years down the road).

The Bayonne Times​

Bayonne, New Jersey • Tue, Feb 25, 1941Page 8
The Bayonne Times Archive

"I rate him (Clapper) even above Eddie Shore."

Niagara Falls Review​

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Mar 3, 1941Page 10

Sports Editor Bill Gaynon of Ontario paper cites Clapper as generally the name most thrown out in 1941 for best defensemen in the NHL

Niagara Falls Review​

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Mar 3, 1941Page 10

Really neat 1 on 1 interview with Clapper, a number of topics discussed.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Mar 21, 1941Page 16

"Clapper, captain of the Bruins, has been recognized as the league's outstanding defensemen, and the selectors showed this again by giving him 29 of a possible 30 votes."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Mar 29, 1941Page 8

The Montreal Star​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Tue, Apr 1, 1941Page 19

The Sports Fan Cup (sounds like a fan vote for most popular player in the league) awarded by Bus Johnston saw Clapper edge out Syl Apps with 66,910 votes to 61,566.

The Windsor Star​

Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Apr 14, 1941Page 18
The Windsor Star Archive

Doug Vaughan, of the Windsor Star speaks to the dominance of the 1940-41 Bruins.

Calls Clapper "the best rearguard in the business today." Brimsek and Clapper sparked the Bruins in the SCF win vs Toronto w/Cowley missing time.

​

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Apr 14, 1941Page 8

The Ottawa Journal​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Apr 19, 1941Page 31

Incredible piece on Clapper's leadership and contributions to the Bruins.

Bill Cowley states:

"I thought Clapper was a cinch to win the Hart Trophy. He played marvelous hockey for us this year. If there was any one man more responsible than another for our Stanley Cup victory, I think Clapper is that man. Dit's help to Bruins doesn't stop at being a great player. He's a grand fellow, looked up to by all the players and one of the finest leaders I have ever seen."

Much more written below...

North Bay Nugget​

North Bay, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Nov 15, 1941Page 8

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Dec 3, 1941Page 23

Dit Clapper winning a face-off as a defensemen.

North Bay Nugget​

North Bay, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 5, 1941Page 10
North Bay Nugget Archive

Clapper wins the Sports Fan popularity contest and is presented with trophy by Bus Johnston in the Montreal forum. The voting tally is listed about 6-7 entries above this one.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Dec 9, 1941Page 32

Clapper is the feature and coverman for the 1941-42 NHL hockey guide publication.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Jan 13, 1942Page 24

The Portsmouth Herald​

Portsmouth, New Hampshire • Wed, Jan 21, 1942Page 8
The Portsmouth Herald Archive

Clapper was a heavyweight fighter throughout his career.

Detroit Free Press​

Detroit, Michigan • Sun, Jan 25, 1942Page 11

Huge praise for Clapper from Ebbie Goodfellow who picks his All Time-Opponent Team (players he's faced)

At defense, Goodfellow contends that Clapper, of the present Bruins, is as good if not better than any of the old stars. "There's a defensemen who is as smooth as they come," Goodfellow said of his Boston rival and that's praise indeed.

Press of Atlantic City​

Atlantic City, New Jersey • Thu, Jan 29, 1942Page 11

Waterloo Region Record​

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Jan 31, 1942Page 8
Waterloo Region Record Archive

Clapper named assistant manager (coach)

"Listing hockey's leading players, book them in the order of: Clapper, Apps, Schmidt, Heller, Hextall, Syd Howe, Mush March, Goodfellow, Tommy Anderson and Earl Seibert."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Jan 31, 1942Page 6

The Winnipeg Tribune​

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Mon, Feb 2, 1942Page 14
The Winnipeg Tribune Archive

Details of the Achilles injury

The Moncton Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Mon, Feb 2, 1942Page 8

Bill Hutchinson, sports editor notes that Clapper's loss for Boston is a big one, saying "the big defenseman probably is Boston's most important player."

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Feb 2, 1942Page 12
The Toronto Star Archive

In depth look at Clapper's injury with quotes from players.

The Ottawa Journal​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Feb 2, 1942Page 19

Famous Ottawa Journal writer Bill Westwick notes Clapper's immense importance to Boston, especially during their last SC run.

"...the big rearguard who in a quiet way has done a lot more coaching of the Boston Club that he's ever been publicly credited with.

And even in the twilight of an illustrious major league career, Clapper still rates with the greatest."

The Calgary Albertan​

Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Tue, Feb 3, 1942Page 10

Ebbie Goodfellow picks his All-Opponents team (seemingly best players he ever faced) and Dit Clapper is on the 1st team, along with Shore, over both King Clancy and Ching Johnson. Remember, you also had Earl Seibert, Lionel Conacher, Babe Seibert, and Art Coulter who didn't make EG's list.

The Calgary Albertan​

Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Tue, Feb 3, 1942Page 10
The Calgary Albertan Archive

Harry Scott of Calgary highlighting the severe Achilles injury Clapper sustained midway through the 1941-42 season.

I think this is an important juncture in Clapper's career, at least as far as his time as a defenseman goes. The fact that he sustained such a rough injury, at his age (34), in 1942 with less modern methods of surgery/healthcare, etc, and then managed to return to full health and play essentially 4 more seasons, while making his way back onto the postseason AS team in 1943-44, speaks to the character of Clapper and ability.

At this point in time he's already played longer than the vast majority of NHL'ers ever, and was almost universally considered the best defenseman in the world, and some considered him the most valuable player period. You can see the Hart voting finishes in 1940 (3rd) and 41 (2nd) as a testament to that value.

Biddeford-Saco Journal​

Biddeford, Maine • Fri, Feb 6, 1942Page 6

Bill King of the Biddeford Maine paper says Clapper's injury is the biggest reason for Boston's losses.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Feb 24, 1942Page 20
The Boston Globe Archive

Clapper was a tough SOB. Roughly a month after having his Achilles cut, he's walking around without crutches or a cane.

"The team can't help getting a lift from the presence of Clapper, who was always an inspirational leader in his active role as captain."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Feb 25, 1942Page 20

Clapper acting coach while out w/the Achilles injury.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 9, 1942Page 17

Big praise from Dink Carroll of the Montreal Gazette, wondering if the Achilles injury to Clapper would be the end of his career, in a "Playing The Field" piece.

States "Only the greatest players last that long (15 years) and Clapper was certainly one of them. Up to the time of his injury he was still All-Star material."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Mar 14, 1942Page 6

Clapper's leadership noted and work behind the bench sparking Bruins.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Mar 23, 1942Page 10

Clapper coaching the Bruins to a playoff victory. Aggravated his injured achilles tendon by jumping up and down on the bench when the winning goal was scored.

Also cited as masterminding the team from the bench perfectly.

The Montreal Star​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Thu, Oct 22, 1942Page 25

Detroit Evening Times​

Detroit, Michigan • Fri, Oct 30, 1942Page 27

Detroit previewing the return of Clapper from serious injury. A favorite in Detroit, his return is celebrated. Also was called a "brilliant wingman" by old timers.

Star Weekly​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Nov 28, 1942Page 18

Nice Clapper feature in the Toronto paper cites Clapper as most durable player in NHL with a long career of star power.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Nov 30, 1942Page 18

Early season 42-43 season, it seems like Clapper is already returning to his pre-injury form.

North Bay Nugget​

North Bay, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Dec 3, 1942Page 18

"For years, Clapper has been one of the most popular players in the big-time loop-and small wonder. Not only is he ace-high on performance, but he rates as one of the most sportsmanlike players in the circuit. Never in one season has he spent an hour on the penalty bench."

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Dec 16, 1942Page 25

This is Clapper's first season after returning from the Achilles injury. Noted by Jack Adams to be having a "good season" but Hollett, Cowley and Brimsek the best Bruins to date. His heavy checking was still on point it seems.

In game report notes it was a hard checking game and best contest at the Garden to date, with Clapper handing out 4 body checks that wowed the crowd, smacking down Don Grosso, Syd Abel, Jimmy Orlando, and Bill Quackenbush to the ice."

The Hamilton Spectator​

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Dec 17, 1942Page 24

Walter McMullen, sports editor details Clapper's career and standing all time ending w/ "so when compiling your list of the greats of hockey, place the name Mr. Clapper at the top, or thereabouts."

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Sat, Dec 26, 1942Page 12

Dink Carroll citing Clapper "is back to his old self" in the early portions of his first season since having Achilles sliced through less than a year ago.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Feb 13, 1943Page 6

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Mar 16, 1943Page 24

Commercial​

Bangor, Maine • Wed, Oct 13, 1943Page 8
Commercial Archive

Feature by Bill King on Clapper's career.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Oct 31, 1943Page 28

Clapper and Rocket had a fight in 1943

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Nov 4, 1943Page 16

Andy Lytle recalling the great Moose Johnson. saying "he had the fire and zest of King Clancy in the body of Dit Clapper"

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Nov 17, 1943Page 18

The Moncton Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Thu, Nov 18, 1943Page 8

The Morning Union​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Dec 17, 1943Page 25

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Dec 22, 1943Page 6

The Windsor Star​

Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Jan 4, 1944Page 19

Earl Seibert picks Clapper and Shore for his 1st team D on his all-time opponents team.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Jan 26, 1944Page 9

The Ottawa Journal​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Feb 25, 1944Page 18

"Dit is practically an institution with the Bruins, one of those players in a million. No player with whom I have ever been associated has given me more pleasure from a manager's point of view.

But you come to Clapper and you have a great forward when he was up front. You put him back on the defense and he continues to star. And all the way he has been of the best influences any hockey club ever had in its ranks. The older players like him; the young ones admire him.

If I had to name an all-star all-time Hart trophy winner I'd name Dit. He typifies the true winner of the award."

-Art Ross

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Mar 1, 1944Page 16

Recalling how Clapper was instrumental in Maurice Richard learning the lesson of keeping your head up.

The Winnipeg Tribune​

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Fri, Oct 20, 1944Page 16

Incredible late career retrospective by Herb Manning of the Winnipeg Tribune.

Some key highlights:

"Eddie Shore was a dynamic, colorful figure with Boston's Bruins and he wound up finally with the title of Mr. Hockey-a super-giant among the giants of the slippery game.

But Clapper is colorful too, and a more efficient craftsman than Shore, a better team player, in the estimation of hockey men who know him.

Frank Boucher cites Clapper as "greatest ice general he ever saw, with highly developed powers of leadership and the ability to inspire and preserve balance among his associates. His outstanding characteristic is his talent for leadership."

The Windsor Star​

Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Oct 24, 1944Page 21

Late career feature on Clapper

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Oct 24, 1944Page 10

Frank Boucher calls Clapper best player in game in 1944 and the "greatest ice general he ever saw".

The Hamilton Spectator​

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Oct 27, 1944Page 28
The Hamilton Spectator Archive

Preseason write up on Clapper for the 44-45 season

Springfield Evening Union​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Tue, Dec 19, 1944Page 12

The Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Feb 9, 1945Page 14

Clapper picks his All-Time Hockey Team.

1st Team:

G - Brimsek
D - Eddie Shore
D - Ching Johnson
RW - Bill Cook
C - Milt Schmidt
LW - Busher Jackson

Daily News​

New York, New York • Sun, Feb 25, 1945Page 68

"Red Dutton, league prexy, has written a book in which he lists an all-time all-star team..."right wing, Clapper"

Since being moved to the back-lines, the 6-foot-2, 195 pounder has reached new heights. For the past eight seasons he has been among the leading defensemen, his speedy skating still counts heavily. Despite the rough checks he dishes out, Clapper is thoroughly a gentleman, universally well liked and a ball-player's ballplayer."

Detroit Evening Times​

Detroit, Michigan • Tue, Mar 6, 1945Page 16

Leo McDonald of Detroit Times calls Clapper an "all-time, all-great" player in this piece in which Clapper picks his all time team. Nice read.

Evening Express​

Portland, Maine • Fri, Feb 9, 1945Page 15

Clapper picking his AS team...."However, few pink experts would omit the name of Aubrey Dit Clapper from any all-star aggregation...Clapper stepped into Eddie Shore's famous skates as a defenseman where he has been consistently tops."

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Thu, Mar 8, 1945Page 16

Montreal paper calls Clapper "one of the all-time defence greats of the NHL."

The Barre Daily Times​

Barre, Vermont • Tue, Mar 27, 1945Page 2

The Windsor Star​

Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Oct 26, 1945Page 27

The Witness​

Bradford, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Mar 6, 1946Page 2
The Witness Archive

Just another writer, from another paper, reflecting on and admiring Clapper.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Sep 6, 1946Page 18
The Boston Globe Archive

Recalling the one time in Clapper's career where he lost his composure and socked newly appointed president of the league, Clarence Campbell (then a ref) during a game in 1937. After KO'ing Dave Trottier, Campbell made a snide remark to Clapper during the brawl and got a punch for it. Campbell admitted his role in the punch and there was no ill-will between them.

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 27, 1946Page 18

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Feb 9, 1947Page 33

Art Ross cites Clapper's ability to learn and absorb lessons early in his career as one of his biggest assets in becoming a HOF caliber player.

The Ottawa Citizen​

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Feb 12, 1947Page 18

Fantastic end of career look at Clapper by Ottawa writer Tommy Shield's. You'll see his retirement was not only celebrated greatly in Boston, it was a league wide affair with each team giving a special presentation to Clapper for his career achievements.

Also, a heroic story mentioned where Clapper helped save the lives of 3 of his friends when their boat flipped over and he had to swim half a mile to shore, to retrieve a 2nd boat.

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Feb 12, 1947Page 18

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Feb 13, 1947Page 19

Some great photos of Clapper's jersey that ended up in the HOF. More hardware presented. At the end of the article you can see the remaining schedule for "Clapper night".

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Feb 13, 1947Page 11

Daily Sentinel​

Rome, New York • Tue, Feb 18, 1947Page 10
Daily Sentinel Archive

Clapper's fighting ability cited

The Times​

Hammond, Indiana • Thu, Feb 20, 1947Page 11

Detroit Free Press​

Detroit, Michigan • Fri, Feb 21, 1947Page 16

Really neat picture of Clapper accepting a silver bowl from the Jack Adams, on behalf of the Detroit Red Wings during his final season in the league.

All 6 teams celebrated Clapper before a game during his final season. The respect he garnered was immense.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 3, 1947Page 18

Clapper being presented with silver tray during his final game in Montreal.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 17, 1947Page 18

Fantastic career overview on Clapper by the legendary Dink Carroll, another citation of his generalship of the ice being made by someone who witnessed him firsthand. Dink will later compare his generalship and IQ to that of Harvey in 1961.

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Nov 1, 1947Page 13

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Dec 11, 1948Page 18

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Mar 23, 1952Page 88
The Boston Globe Archive

More 1st hand accounts of Clapper being the policeman for Boston's smaller players.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Dec 4, 1953Page 28
The Gazette Archive

Longtime Bruin team physician, Dr Kelley. cites Shore, Clapper and Schmidt as the most durable and rugged players over his tenure (now 1953).

The Montreal Star​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Dec 24, 1954Page 34

Feature for series being done by Red Fischer, written by Clapper, remembering his 200th goal.

The Province​

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Nov 2, 1956Page 20

More testaments to how well liked Clapper was/is. Plus this entry and next speak to his AS picks and thoughts on current players. You can tell he knows hockey given the players he put forth.

The Vancouver Sun​

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Nov 2, 1956Page 27

FANASTIC interview w/Clapper.

The Vancouver News-Herald​

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Nov 2, 1956Page 8

The Montreal Star​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada · Monday, April 07, 1958

Wonderful analysis and comparison between Clapper and Doug Harvey by the all time great writer Baz O'meara who's career started in 1910 (Ottawa Journal) and later spent 30+ years at the Montreal Star (1929 through late 60's). He has some of the most in depth opinion pieces I've seen in all my research over the years.

Main points:

Clapper was a standout at controlling the game from the blueline ala Harvey
Cited as being a touch faster, a heavier body checker than Harvey
Caught Rocket Richard w/his head down in an early career game
Cited as not being overshadowed by Eddie Shore and called a "more competent defender" than his former teammate. This tracks with Clapper calling Shore the best offensive defensemen he ever saw in the entry just above this.

The Montreal Star​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Jul 13, 1960Page 35

Another man w/a lot of hockey knowledge, Elmer Ferguson, with a fantastic overview of Clapper's longevity, skills/abilities, ability to pair well with numerous teammates at F and D.

​

The Times-Transcript​

Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Sat, Mar 18, 1961Page 13
The Times-Transcript Archive

Another profile by another long time writer Lloyd Percival talking about Clapper's ability to control the play, remain calm and collected on the back end. 2 way play cited.

The Gazette​

Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Tue, Jun 6, 1961Page 22

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Sep 18, 1964Page 15

Feature on Bobby Bauer highlights how Clapper, not Shore, was the real cop on the beat for Boston as far as protection went.

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Jan 4, 1967Page 39

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Feb 16, 1969Page 82

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Jan 20, 1978Page 17

The Toronto Star​

Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 23, 1978Page 8

The Boston Globe​

Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Jan 21, 1978Page 15

How Aubrey became "Dit"

The Leader-Post​

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada • Fri, Oct 21, 1983Page 19

Another legendary writer Jim Coleman reflects with great admiration on Clapper. This article in response to Harry Sinden allowing Guy Lapointe to wear the retired #5 jersey of Clapper, which didn't sit well with a lot of folks, including Clapper's family.

From same paper and page:

The Province​

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, May 11, 1998Page 30

The Province​

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sun, Apr 4, 1999Page 52

 

[Professor What]

Frank Mahovlich

​

Thanks to @Voight for his previous bio, from which many of these quotes are taken.

Six-Time Stanley Cup Champion (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1971, 1973)

Three-time First-Team All-Star, Six-Time Second-Team All-Star

Goal Finishes: 2,2,2,2,3,4,6,7

Assist Finishes: 7,8,10

Point Finishes: 3,4,5,6,7,10,10


7-year VsX: 87.8

10-year VsX: 84.1

Mahovlich scored 48 goals, and during this season it became so clear he was going to be a superstar for many years to come that Chicago offered the Leafs a cool one million dollars for the player. The Leafs rejected the offer, and Toronto went on to win four Stanley Cups in the next six years. -- Canada Sports Hall of Fame

In Montreal, Mahovlich was transformed from a great goalscorer into a premier playmaker. -- Century of Hockey Heroes

Mahovlich was a big man with a long powerful stride that powered himself through the opposing team's defense. Add to that his uncanny stickhandling and an overpowering shot, and Mahovlich was pretty much a perfect hockey player. -- Greatest Hockey Legends

Mahovlich led the Maple Leafs in goal scoring every season from 1960-61 to 1965-66 and also led the team in points five times. He was the main offensive weapon on Toronto teams that won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. -- Hockey's Glory Days

Mahovlich's physical attributes were a sight to behold when he was in full flight. He skated with an easy, fluid stride and made good use of his long reach, strength and laser like shot. He showed an ability to run over the opposition, especially defenseman who were in his way when he wanted to drive to the net. It was unfortunate that the rather critical Toronto public always expected Mahovlich to play like a superstar on the rampage. -- Hockey's Golden Era

He was an All-Star in half of the NHL’s “Original 6” cities, played on both sides of the biggest rivalry in the game, won six Stanley Cups, and then served in the Canadian Senate when his playing days concluded.

He scored 20 goals and 36 points in his first full season and beat out fellow Hall of Famer Bobby Hull for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. This was the first of 16 NHL seasons with at least 20 goals for the “Big M.” -- Hockey Writers

The next couple of years saw Frank Mahovlich score over 30 goals per season but his strained relationship with coach Punch Imlach and the fans was a constant distraction. He sufferred from depression and maybe even a nervous breakdown in 1967, missing a month of the regular season. Yet he helped the Maple Leafs win 4 Stanley Cup championships in the 1960s, including their victory in 1967. -- Home of the Leafs

He's the main reason im my memory that (the Montreal Canadiens) won the Stanley Cup (in 1971). -- Dick Irvin, Jr.

Frank Mahovlich was a talented and classy winger, a large man with the skills and hands of a pure scorer.

In Detroit, Mahovlich played more minutes than ever on the first line on the powerplay and sometimes even killed penalties. When Howe became the third player to break the 100-point plateau in the 1968-69 season, Mahovlich was cited as a significant factor. -- Kings of the Ice

Frank Mahovlich was a talented and classy winger, a large man with the skills and hands of a pure scorer. Known as "the Big M," Mahovlich was touted as a superstar while still a teenager. He went on to have a marvelous career, patrolling the left wing for 22 professional seasons in both the NHL and WHA. Many of those years were filled with glory as he earned individual awards and the Stanley Cup, but Mahovlich struggled through most of his hockey life with the stress that comes from great expectations. -- Legends of Hockey

Mahovlich moved like a thoroughbred, with a strong, fluid style that made it look as if he was galloping through the opposition. In full flight, he was an imposing figure. An explosive skater, Mahovlich could spot the right moment to turn it on and burst in on goal. He had a great move where he would take the puck off the wing, cut into the middle of the ice and try to bust through two defencemen for a chance on goal. He didn't always get through but when he did he scored some memorable goals. -- Maple Leafs Legends

The Canadiens acquired the dominant winger on January 13, 1971. The deal paid instant dividends as, in the 38 regular-season games remaining for hte Canadiens, Mahovlich scored 17 goals and dished out 24 assists.

However, it was in the playoffs that he really showed his exemplary talents. During the Canadiens successful Stanley Cup campaign that year, Mahovlich scored 14 goals and garnered 12 assists in 20 games, a team record at the time.

Mahovlich was again a major factor in the Canadiens successful 1972-73 campaign, when they again won the Stanley Cup. -- Montreal Canadiens CD-ROM

The “Big M” built on his skills, becoming one of Toronto’s top offensive threat in the 1960s. In the 1960-61 campaign, Mahovlich scored 84 Points, which would be a personal best in Toronto, and he led the league in Even Strength Goals (41). Mahovlich was named a First Team All-Star that year, and he would help lead the Maple Leafs to the first of three straight Stanley Cup wins. -- Not in Hall of Fame

It's hard to think of anybody playing any better, two-way hockey in two sets of playoffs, 1971 and 1973, than Frank Mahovlich did. He would kill penalties with Jacques Lemaire, he was on the powerplay and scored big goals and was just a wonderful player in those cup wins. -- Frank Orr

A genial, gentle man, Mahovlich was probably the most charismatic and certainly the most gifted player the Leafs have enjoyed. If not for the curtain, or rather the forces that necessitated it, Mahovlich and not Bobby Hull might have been the dominant player of his generation.

An arresting skater, stickhandler and shooter

To Leaf fans, Mahovlich's talents seemed so limitless, any game in which he was held scoreless must have been one he was taking off. He was booed, regulary and voraciously and Imlach never bothered to pronounce his name correctly.

His skills, so obviously mismanaged in Toronto, created universal demand. -- Top 100 NHL Players

Mahovlich established himself as one of the greatest scorers in hockey. [...] Mahovlich led the Maple Leafs in goal-scoring every season from 1960-61 to 1965-66. He was the main offensive weapon on Toronto's team that won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967. -- Total Hockey

Frank was a big man who skated with long powerful strides, the puck well out in front seemingly glued to his stick. He was a fine stickhandler with a hard and accurate shot. He could be very aggressive if ruffed but played hard clean hockey. He had an unusual temperament and at times could become quite moody. He was tried as a centre but then moved to left wing where he established himself as one of the best. -- Trail of the Stanley Cup

A strong argument can be made that Frank Mahovlich was the most physically talented man ever to sport the Toronto Maple Leaf colors. Other might contend that he was one of the laziest players to ever to put on the blue and white. -- Ultimate Hockey

Quotes from Players

Imlach never spoke to Frank Mahovlich or me for most of the season, and when he did, it was to criticize. Frank usually go the worst. We are athletes, not machines, and Frank is the type that needs some encouragement, a pat on the shoulder ever so often. -- Andy Bathgate

Mahovlich took over like Charlie Conacher used to do in his heyday. He turned those Ranger defensemen inside out with his shifts, change if pace an stickhandling. -- King Clancy

He's one of the toughest guys in hockey to defend against. He's big, fast, strong and an excellent stickhandler with a two-way shift and an extension-ladder reach. He just moves that puck out of your reach or bulls you out of the way when you try to trap him along the boards ... The guy's murder! -- Bill Gadsby

“Every time I’ve seen Mahovlich this season everything he has shot has gone in the net,” said Bronco. “Our net. He doesn’t even look as though he’s trying to score. He just fires away and gets goals. -- Bronco Horvath

If Toronto fans would appreciate his great talent and give him the cheers he deserves instead of booing him, maybe the pressure wouldn’t cook the guy. -- Gordie Howe

Bobby Hull may score more goals, but no one scores better goals than Frank. -- Dave Keon

Quotes form Board Members

Playing with the Leafs the synergy was there with Red Kelly and he was able to integrate into the style favoured by the Leafs. He brought physicality and defensive responsibility to the rink, levels of playmaking and defense. -- Canadiens1958

Notes:

Despite playing in the defensive-oriented system of the Maple Leafs through his prime, Mahovlich managed 48 goals in the 1960-61 season, nearly matching Geoffrion's mark of being the second player to ever score 50 goals in a season.

Mahovlich scored 30+ goals 10 times during his career, accomplishing the feat with three different teams. He also had a 40+ goal season with each of Toronto, Detroit, and Montreal

 

[ImporterExporter]

Ernie "Moose" Johnson, D/W



Active Career Sources:

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