BenchBrawl
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- Jul 26, 2010
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ATD2025 Bio Thread
- Thread starter BenchBrawl
- Start date
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Professor What
Registered User
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).
- 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 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.
- 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...
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
"You're a boring old man"
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:
(1928-29), Clapper was used mostly as a wing but did see some action on the blueline in relief.
Preview of the 29-30 season stating Clapper appears ready to ascend into star territory. He would.
Detailed description of Clapper goal shows he used opposing players as screen to score.
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.
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."
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)
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.
Slick pass from Clapper to Weiland ends up being GW. Dit also scored a pair of goals.
The Boston Globe Archive
Clapper's fiancee passed away during the 29-30 season due to complications from an illness.
Lester Patrick and Rangers offered huge sum to get Clapper in 1930.
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.
More citations of Clappers fast shots.
"Dead-Eye" Dit Clapper, the greatest straight-away marksman in professional hockey."
Citation of Ching Johnson having his jaw broken in a head on collision w/Clapper
Clapper's lighting shot cited again plus evidence of him PK'ing.
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.
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."
Diagram showing a popular combination between Clapper and Weiland.
Clapper hat trick + beautiful jab/devastating right cross to knock down Kilera in a fight.
Clapper takes would Battleship Leduc in a big collision.
The Morning Union Archive
Clapper already noted as established star in NHL, possessing one of the hardest right handed shots.
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."
Montreal paper calls Clapper the Bruins' most deadly marksman, and in this game was their most effective.
Victor Jones of the Globe states: Clapper "playing one of the best all-around wings I have ever gazed upon."
"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."
"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."
Toronto rumor mill alleging Busher Jackson for Clapper was discussed/offered?!?
Clapper scouting report from 1936 (still a F at this point)
Vic Jones calling some of the Boston faithful loud mouths.
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."
Art Ross emphatically stating that Clapper is not for sale, at any price.
Winning goal was a Clapper SH variety (5th goal in 6 games).
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."
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 Archive
A fan tried to sue Clapper for 10K for being stuck by a puck shot by Dit,
Boston Globe writer Vic Jones speaks to the ability of Clapper to protect his teammates.
Clapper beauty of a GW goal described
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 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.
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 Archive
Clapper and Shore co-won the Bruins MVP award for the 38-39 season.
Clapper's scoring from the blueline is stellar
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 Archive
Clapper playing with a broken toe, has a 4 point night, starring for the Bruins.
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.
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.
Clapper knocked another player out of a game (Shibicky) w/a body check.
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.
Great action shot of Clapper assisting on a Mel Hill goal during the SCF.
Clapper announced Captain by Art Ross before 39-40 season.
Clapper listed as 211 lbs prior to the 39-40 season.
Toronto Star refers to Clapper as a "great defenseman now." prior to 39-40 season.
Scouting report/bio on Clapper
Toronto speaks to Clapper's defensive brilliance.
Outstanding Clapper overview by Gerry Moore of the Globe.
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.
Clapper becomes 1st Bruin to win team MVP in unanimous vote.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Clapper toughness noted.
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.
Dick Irvin of Montreal wanted to acquire Clapper in 1940
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
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."
Cited as Canadian Press pick for an AS berth the previous 2 years, turning in "peak performances" of his career on the blueline.
Clapper's coolness on the ice cited.
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 Archive
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."
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
Frank Boucher calls Clapper best player in the world, 1941 (he'd later repeat this a few years down the road).
The Bayonne Times Archive
"I rate him (Clapper) even above Eddie Shore."
Sports Editor Bill Gaynon of Ontario paper cites Clapper as generally the name most thrown out in 1941 for best defensemen in the NHL
Really neat 1 on 1 interview with Clapper, a number of topics discussed.
"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 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 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.
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...
Dit Clapper winning a face-off as a defensemen.
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.
Clapper is the feature and coverman for the 1941-42 NHL hockey guide publication.
The Portsmouth Herald Archive
Clapper was a heavyweight fighter throughout his career.
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.
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 Winnipeg Tribune Archive
Details of the Achilles injury
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 Archive
In depth look at Clapper's injury with quotes from players.
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."
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 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.
Bill King of the Biddeford Maine paper says Clapper's injury is the biggest reason for Boston's losses.
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."
Clapper acting coach while out w/the Achilles injury.
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."
Clapper's leadership noted and work behind the bench sparking Bruins.
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.
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.
Nice Clapper feature in the Toronto paper cites Clapper as most durable player in NHL with a long career of star power.
Early season 42-43 season, it seems like Clapper is already returning to his pre-injury form.
"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."
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."
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."
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.
Commercial Archive
Feature by Bill King on Clapper's career.
Clapper and Rocket had a fight in 1943
Andy Lytle recalling the great Moose Johnson. saying "he had the fire and zest of King Clancy in the body of Dit Clapper"
Earl Seibert picks Clapper and Shore for his 1st team D on his all-time opponents team.
"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
Recalling how Clapper was instrumental in Maurice Richard learning the lesson of keeping your head up.
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."
Late career feature on Clapper
Frank Boucher calls Clapper best player in game in 1944 and the "greatest ice general he ever saw".
The Hamilton Spectator Archive
Preseason write up on Clapper for the 44-45 season
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
"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."
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.
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."
Montreal paper calls Clapper "one of the all-time defense greats of the NHL."
The Witness Archive
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.
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.
Fantastic end of career look at Clapper by Ottawa writer Tommy Shields. 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.
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".
Daily Sentinel Archive
Clapper's fighting ability cited
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.
Clapper being presented with silver tray during his final game in Montreal.
Fantastic career overview on Clapper by 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 Boston Globe Archive
More 1st hand accounts of Clapper being the policeman for Boston's smaller players.
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).
Feature for series being done by Red Fischer, written by Clapper, remembering his 200th goal.
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.
Great interview w/Clapper.
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.
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 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.
Feature on Bobby Bauer highlights how Clapper, not Shore, was the policeman for Boston.
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.
Milt Schmidt would pick Dit Clapper (along with Orr) over Eddie Shore, Ray Bourque or any other Boston great to play in a game 7, tie game, 1 minute left.
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 16The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Mar 19, 1929Page 26The Springfield Daily Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 20, 1929Page 7The 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 30The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Oct 23, 1929Page 23Preview 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 10Detailed description of Clapper goal shows he used opposing players as screen to score.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 13, 1929Page 32The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Dec 13, 1929Page 41The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Dec 30, 1929Page 17The Morning Union
Springfield, Massachusetts • Thu, Jan 2, 1930Page 16Feature 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 25Clapper 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 27Clapper 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 15In 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 17Slick 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 18The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Jan 27, 1930Page 16The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Jan 28, 1929Page 21The 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 15The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Feb 5, 1930Page 8Lester Patrick and Rangers offered huge sum to get Clapper in 1930.
The Windsor Star
Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Feb 17, 1930Page 17The Morning Union
Springfield, Massachusetts • Thu, Feb 20, 1930Page 21One 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 22The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Mar 4, 1930Page 12The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 12, 1930Page 27More citations of Clappers fast shots.
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Mar 19, 1930Page 16The 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 10Citation of Ching Johnson having his jaw broken in a head on collision w/Clapper
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Mar 28, 1930Page 41Clapper's lighting shot cited again plus evidence of him PK'ing.
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Apr 4, 1930Page 20The 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 9Ottawa 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 8The Edmonton Bulletin
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • Wed, Nov 12, 1930Page 16The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Nov 19, 1930Page 18Chicago Tribune
Chicago, Illinois • Wed, Nov 26, 1930Page 21The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Nov 28, 1930Page 28The Herald Statesman
Yonkers, New York • Fri, Dec 12, 1930Page 31Star-Phoenix
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • Fri, Dec 19, 1930Page 24Diagram showing a popular combination between Clapper and Weiland.
The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Dec 19, 1930Page 28The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Dec 26, 1930Page 12Clapper hat trick + beautiful jab/devastating right cross to knock down Kilera in a fight.
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Jan 30, 1931Page 31The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 25, 1931Page 15Clapper takes would Battleship Leduc in a big collision.
The Springfield Daily Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 25, 1931Page 18The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 30, 1931Page 18The Morning Union
Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Nov 6, 1931Page 35The Morning Union ArchiveThe 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 21The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Dec 16, 1931Page 26The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Dec 21, 1931Page 17The Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts • Tue, Jan 5, 1932Page 14Charlie 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 16Montreal 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 2The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Tue, Feb 28, 1933Page 15The Springfield Daily Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts • Sun, Mar 26, 1933Page 19The Windsor Star
Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 28, 1935Page 23The Calgary Albertan
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Mon, Mar 25, 1935Page 5The Times-Transcript
Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Mon, Mar 25, 1935Page 2The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Dec 30, 1935Page 10The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Jan 15, 1936Page 20Victor Jones of the Globe states: Clapper "playing one of the best all-around wings I have ever gazed upon."
"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 21North Bay Nugget
North Bay, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Mar 13, 1936Page 7"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 6Toronto rumor mill alleging Busher Jackson for Clapper was discussed/offered?!?
Daily Gleaner
Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada • Fri, Oct 23, 1936Page 2Clapper scouting report from 1936 (still a F at this point)
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Jan 5, 1937Page 20Vic Jones calling some of the Boston faithful loud mouths.
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 10Art Ross emphatically stating that Clapper is not for sale, at any price.
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Feb 22, 1937Page 14The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Feb 24, 1937Page 23Winning goal was a Clapper SH variety (5th goal in 6 games).
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Mar 20, 1937Page 9The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 22, 1937Page 16The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Mar 26, 1937Page 12The 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 14The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Nov 15, 1937Page 8First 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 21The 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 6The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Feb 18, 1938Page 21The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Feb 24, 1938Page 8Boston Globe writer Vic Jones speaks to the ability of Clapper to protect his teammates.
Detroit Free Press
Detroit, Michigan • Mon, Dec 19, 1938Page 13Clapper beauty of a GW goal described
The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Dec 20, 1938Page 11The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Dec 20, 1938Page 18The Morning Union
Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed, Jan 25, 1939Page 16Fantastic 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 7Edmonton 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 7Baz 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 14Evening 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 5Clapper's scoring from the blueline is stellar
Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Fri, Mar 3, 1939Page 7Western 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 7The 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 6Bill 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 6The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 29, 1939Page 10The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Mar 30, 1939Page 20Vic 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 8Clapper knocked another player out of a game (Shibicky) w/a body check.
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Apr 17, 1939Page 4Clapper 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 126Great action shot of Clapper assisting on a Mel Hill goal during the SCF.
Daily Gleaner
Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada • Tue, Oct 17, 1939Page 2Clapper announced Captain by Art Ross before 39-40 season.
Telegraph-Journal
Saint John, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada • Fri, Oct 20, 1939Page 8Clapper listed as 211 lbs prior to the 39-40 season.
The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Oct 28, 1939Page 12Toronto Star refers to Clapper as a "great defenseman now." prior to 39-40 season.
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Nov 15, 1939Page 20Star Weekly
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Dec 2, 1939Page 36Scouting report/bio on Clapper
The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 22, 1939Page 11Toronto speaks to Clapper's defensive brilliance.
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Dec 23, 1939Page 4Outstanding Clapper overview by Gerry Moore of the Globe.
The Times-Transcript
Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada1940 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 4The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Feb 6, 1940Page 18The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Feb 7, 1940Page 11The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Feb 28, 1940Page 10The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Mar 13, 1940Page 21Clapper becomes 1st Bruin to win team MVP in unanimous vote.
Times Colonist
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Mar 13, 1940Page 13Western 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 16Collyer's Eye and The Baseball World
Chicago, Illinois • Sat, Mar 16, 1940Page 2Illinois 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 11Brooklyn Eagle
Brooklyn, New York • Tue, Mar 19, 1940Page 12Brooklyn 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 2Clapper 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 11Sun-Journal
Lewiston, Maine • Fri, Mar 29, 1940Page 12Clapper toughness noted.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Apr 16, 1940Page 16Feature 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 31Dick Irvin of Montreal wanted to acquire Clapper in 1940
The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Apr 24, 1940Page 25Baz 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 13Conn 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 2Cited 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 14Clapper's coolness on the ice cited.
Telegraph-Journal
Saint John, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada • Mon, Jan 20, 1941Page 10Telegraph-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 11The Toronto Star Archive
The Herald-News
Passaic, New Jersey • Wed, Feb 5, 1941Page 17NJ 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 11Clapper 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 18Frank 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 8The Bayonne Times Archive
"I rate him (Clapper) even above Eddie Shore."
Niagara Falls Review
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Mar 3, 1941Page 10Sports 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 10Really 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 8The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Tue, Apr 1, 1941Page 19The 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 18The 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 8The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Apr 19, 1941Page 31Incredible 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 8The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Dec 3, 1941Page 23Dit Clapper winning a face-off as a defensemen.
North Bay Nugget
North Bay, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Dec 5, 1941Page 10North 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 32Clapper is the feature and coverman for the 1941-42 NHL hockey guide publication.
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Jan 13, 1942Page 24The Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth, New Hampshire • Wed, Jan 21, 1942Page 8The Portsmouth Herald Archive
Clapper was a heavyweight fighter throughout his career.
Detroit Free Press
Detroit, Michigan • Sun, Jan 25, 1942Page 11Huge 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 11Waterloo Region Record
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Jan 31, 1942Page 8Waterloo 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 6The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Mon, Feb 2, 1942Page 14The Winnipeg Tribune Archive
Details of the Achilles injury
The Moncton Transcript
Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Mon, Feb 2, 1942Page 8Bill 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 12The Toronto Star Archive
In depth look at Clapper's injury with quotes from players.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Feb 2, 1942Page 19Famous 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 10Ebbie 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 10The 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 6Bill 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 20The 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 20Clapper acting coach while out w/the Achilles injury.
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 9, 1942Page 17Big 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 6Clapper's leadership noted and work behind the bench sparking Bruins.
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Mon, Mar 23, 1942Page 10Clapper 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 25Detroit Evening Times
Detroit, Michigan • Fri, Oct 30, 1942Page 27Detroit 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 18Nice 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 18Early 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 25This 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 24Walter 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 12Dink 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 6The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Tue, Mar 16, 1943Page 24Commercial
Bangor, Maine • Wed, Oct 13, 1943Page 8Commercial Archive
Feature by Bill King on Clapper's career.
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Oct 31, 1943Page 28Clapper and Rocket had a fight in 1943
The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Nov 4, 1943Page 16Andy 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 18The Moncton Transcript
Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Thu, Nov 18, 1943Page 8The Morning Union
Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Dec 17, 1943Page 25The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Wed, Dec 22, 1943Page 6The Windsor Star
Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Jan 4, 1944Page 19Earl 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 9The 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 16Recalling 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 16Incredible 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 21Late career feature on Clapper
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Oct 24, 1944Page 10Frank 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 28The Hamilton Spectator Archive
Preseason write up on Clapper for the 44-45 season
Springfield Evening Union
Springfield, Massachusetts • Tue, Dec 19, 1944Page 12The Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts • Fri, Feb 9, 1945Page 14Clapper 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 16Leo 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 15Clapper 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 16Montreal paper calls Clapper "one of the all-time defense greats of the NHL."
The Barre Daily Times
Barre, Vermont • Tue, Mar 27, 1945Page 2The Windsor Star
Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Oct 26, 1945Page 27The Witness
Bradford, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Mar 6, 1946Page 2The Witness Archive
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Sep 6, 1946Page 18The 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 18The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Feb 9, 1947Page 33Art 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 18Fantastic end of career look at Clapper by Ottawa writer Tommy Shields. 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 18The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Thu, Feb 13, 1947Page 19Some 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 11Daily Sentinel
Rome, New York • Tue, Feb 18, 1947Page 10Daily Sentinel Archive
Clapper's fighting ability cited
The Times
Hammond, Indiana • Thu, Feb 20, 1947Page 11Detroit Free Press
Detroit, Michigan • Fri, Feb 21, 1947Page 16Really 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.
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 3, 1947Page 18Clapper being presented with silver tray during his final game in Montreal.
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 17, 1947Page 18Fantastic career overview on Clapper by 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 13The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Dec 11, 1948Page 18The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Mar 23, 1952Page 88The 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 28The 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 34Feature for series being done by Red Fischer, written by Clapper, remembering his 200th goal.
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Nov 2, 1956Page 20More 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 27Great interview w/Clapper.
The Vancouver News-Herald
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Nov 2, 1956Page 8The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada · Monday, April 07, 1958Wonderful 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 35Another 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 13The 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 22The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Fri, Sep 18, 1964Page 15Feature on Bobby Bauer highlights how Clapper, not Shore, was the policeman for Boston.
The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Jan 4, 1967Page 39The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Feb 16, 1969Page 82The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Jan 20, 1978Page 17The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 23, 1978Page 8The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sat, Jan 21, 1978Page 15The Leader-Post
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada • Fri, Oct 21, 1983Page 19Another 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.
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, May 11, 1998Page 30The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sun, Apr 4, 1999Page 52National Post
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Jan 11, 2005Page 57Milt Schmidt would pick Dit Clapper (along with Orr) over Eddie Shore, Ray Bourque or any other Boston great to play in a game 7, tie game, 1 minute left.
North Bay Nugget
North Bay, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Aug 25, 2007Page 39The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts • Sun, Mar 6, 2016Page C2Attachments
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Professor What
Registered User
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
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ImporterExporter
"You're a boring old man"
Ernie "Moose" Johnson, D/W
- 5'11, 185 lbs
- Member of the HHOF
- Stanley Cup Champion (1906, 1907, 1908, 1910)
- Stanley Cup Finalist (1916)
- ECAHA 2nd All-Star Team (1907, 1908)
- PCHA 1st All-Star Team (1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919)
- PCHA 2nd All-Star Team (1921)
- 8th, 10th in Scoring in two ECAHA Seasons (1906, 1907)
- Top-5 in Scoring by NHA Defensemen Twice (3rd, 5th)
- Top-3 in Scoring by PCHA Defensemen Four Times (3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd)
- Top-4 In Stanley Cup Scoring Twice (1st-1908, 4th-1907)
- Top-6 in League PIM Five Times (2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 5th, 6th)
- Led all Defensemen in Playoffs in Points with 2 (1916 - including NHA and PCHA and Stanley Cup games)
- Named to the 1893-1926 All-Star Team on Defense by historian and author Charles C. Coleman
Active Career Sources:
The Montreal Star Archive
Erroneous reports that Moose was near death.
"To the Wanderer team Johnson is what Fred Taylor was to Ottawa."
"Experts said he was a second Hod Stuart"
Pete Green, coach of Ottawa, wanted Johnson badly.
Johnson scouting report. Noted brilliant defence player, has lost two of his fingers on right hand (when younger), makes his performance all the more marvelous.
Early 1911, Moose Johnson gets called most sensational player in the world (over Taylor and others)
Johnson was punished for breaking team rules multiple times.
Johnson and Taylor called "two of greatest players in the world". This again by an Ottawa paper, not Montreal.
"For years mainstay of Wanderers and according to Lester Patrick, is a whole show in itself"
"According to eastern critics, Johnson is the greatest hockey player in the game"
"Moose considered best coverpoint in hockey"
"Now best man in the position (coverpoint) in the east"
Moose "living up to his eastern reputation"
Johnson "acknowledged by eastern critics who should know to be the best hockey player in the Dominion today"
Moose leadership starting to show up.
Details of the severe eye injury Moose suffered after being struck by a shot from Newsy Lalonde.
The first installment of why Johnson has an argument as the toughest player of all time. Went back into game after the Lalonde puck to the eye, horrible pain, sight in one eye, and played spectacularly, scoring a goal with 1 second left in regulation to send game to overtime.
First game back after injury, wasn't quite himself early but rounded into his usual form in final period.
The Province Archive
Suffers bad shoulder injury
Moose making the all-star squad as unanimous choice "everyone seems to concede Johnson is the king pin cover in the game"
AS squads of 1912
"played that kind of game which marked him about the best man in his position prior to injury to eye"
"One of best known hockey players in Canada"
Johnson jumping from NHA to PCHA caused a big stir out east. Was "biggest drawing card in the league"
"With Fred Taylor and Ernie Johnson the coast fans will see two of the greatest hockey players in the world"
Moose noted "speed merchant and grand blocker" makes 1st team AS in 1913.
Moose knocks Taylor out of game with big hit.
"Conceded to be one of the greatest players in the game"
1st game back after missing almost a month with 14 stitches in ankle (skate blade) played splendid game
1914 All-Star
Tom Murray (goalie) states that Moose "is the best defence player he ever played behind"
Suffers a serious fractured jaw and still plays a dominant game
Noted bad luck run of serious injuries. He still plays regardless.
Broken ribs. Stays in game.
Great feature speaking to the difference between Nighbor (hook) and Johnson's (poke) checking styles. You'll see numerous entries later that cement that it was Moose Johnson who originated the poke check with Montreal.
Great overview of Johnson
1915 AS squads. Fantastic overview of Moose's dominance
"Johnson is without equal as a defence player in professional hockey"
"Moose, at his worst, is far superior to some defense men in the professional game at their best"
Incredible article by Barney Gross on Moose. Well worth reading the entirety.
"Copyrighted the poke check"
Great pictorial of how many serious injuries Johnson has sustained already by 1916.
The Vancouver Sun Archive
The Vancouver Sun Archive
hh
The Sunday Oregonian Archive
Post Career Sources:
- 5'11, 185 lbs
- Member of the HHOF
- Stanley Cup Champion (1906, 1907, 1908, 1910)
- Stanley Cup Finalist (1916)
- ECAHA 2nd All-Star Team (1907, 1908)
- PCHA 1st All-Star Team (1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919)
- PCHA 2nd All-Star Team (1921)
- 8th, 10th in Scoring in two ECAHA Seasons (1906, 1907)
- Top-5 in Scoring by NHA Defensemen Twice (3rd, 5th)
- Top-3 in Scoring by PCHA Defensemen Four Times (3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd)
- Top-4 In Stanley Cup Scoring Twice (1st-1908, 4th-1907)
- Top-6 in League PIM Five Times (2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 5th, 6th)
- Led all Defensemen in Playoffs in Points with 2 (1916 - including NHA and PCHA and Stanley Cup games)
- Named to the 1893-1926 All-Star Team on Defense by historian and author Charles C. Coleman
Active Career Sources:
The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Nov 21, 1905Page 10The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 4, 1907Page 3The Montreal Star Archive
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Mar 29, 1907Page 14Erroneous reports that Moose was near death.
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Dec 16, 1907Page 8The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Dec 30, 1907Page 7The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Mar 2, 1908Page 8The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Mar 21, 1908Page 17The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Nov 28, 1908Page 8The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Dec 24, 1908Page 8The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Feb 1, 1909Page 2The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Jan 19, 1910Page 5The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Jan 28, 1910Page 3The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Feb 21, 1910Page 8"To the Wanderer team Johnson is what Fred Taylor was to Ottawa."
The Evening Mail
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada • Sat, Mar 5, 1910Page 2The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Mar 7, 1910Page 8The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Mar 7, 1910Page 4The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Mar 8, 1910Page 13The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Mar 18, 1910Page 8"Experts said he was a second Hod Stuart"
Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Sat, Oct 1, 1910Page 8The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Nov 5, 1910Page 10Pete Green, coach of Ottawa, wanted Johnson badly.
The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Thu, Dec 15, 1910Page 2Johnson scouting report. Noted brilliant defence player, has lost two of his fingers on right hand (when younger), makes his performance all the more marvelous.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 9, 1911Page 4The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Jan 11, 1911Page 13Early 1911, Moose Johnson gets called most sensational player in the world (over Taylor and others)
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Jan 19, 1911Page 8The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 30, 1911Page 4The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Feb 10, 1911Page 8Johnson was punished for breaking team rules multiple times.
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Feb 15, 1911Page 8The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Wed, Mar 1, 1911Page 10The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Mar 8, 1911Page 8The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Mar 20, 1911Page 8Johnson and Taylor called "two of greatest players in the world". This again by an Ottawa paper, not Montreal.
The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Mon, Mar 20, 1911Page 12The New York Times
New York, New York • Wed, Mar 22, 1911Page 9The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jul 31, 1911Page 4The Calgary Albertan
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Fri, Nov 3, 1911Page 6"For years mainstay of Wanderers and according to Lester Patrick, is a whole show in itself"
The Calgary Albertan
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Tue, Nov 14, 1911Page 6"According to eastern critics, Johnson is the greatest hockey player in the game"
The Calgary Albertan
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Tue, Nov 14, 1911Page 6Times Colonist
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Nov 21, 1911Page 7"Moose considered best coverpoint in hockey"
The Edmonton Bulletin
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • Wed, Nov 29, 1911Page 7The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Mon, Dec 4, 1911Page 6"Now best man in the position (coverpoint) in the east"
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 3, 1912Page 10Moose "living up to his eastern reputation"
The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 3, 1912Page 7The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Jan 5, 1912Page 10Johnson "acknowledged by eastern critics who should know to be the best hockey player in the Dominion today"
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 17, 1912Page 10The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Wed, Jan 17, 1912Page 6Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 17, 1912Page 14The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 17, 1912Page 6The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 20, 1912Page 6The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 24, 1912Page 10Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 31, 1912Page 14Moose leadership starting to show up.
Daily News Advertiser
Vancouver, Metro Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 31, 1912Page 8The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 3, 1912Page 6Details of the severe eye injury Moose suffered after being struck by a shot from Newsy Lalonde.
Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 3, 1912Page 14The first installment of why Johnson has an argument as the toughest player of all time. Went back into game after the Lalonde puck to the eye, horrible pain, sight in one eye, and played spectacularly, scoring a goal with 1 second left in regulation to send game to overtime.
Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 13, 1912Page 12The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Tue, Feb 13, 1912Page 6The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 17, 1912Page 10First game back after injury, wasn't quite himself early but rounded into his usual form in final period.
The Province Archive
The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 17, 1912Page 6Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 17, 1912Page 14Suffers bad shoulder injury
The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 17, 1912Page 7The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Feb 21, 1912Page 8Moose making the all-star squad as unanimous choice "everyone seems to concede Johnson is the king pin cover in the game"
The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Feb 21, 1912Page 6The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Mar 22, 1912Page 6Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Apr 1, 1912Page 14AS squads of 1912
The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Apr 3, 1912Page 6Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Apr 8, 1912Page 15"played that kind of game which marked him about the best man in his position prior to injury to eye"
The Moncton Transcript
Moncton, Moncton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada • Tue, Oct 22, 1912Page 6"One of best known hockey players in Canada"
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Dec 2, 1912Page 9Johnson jumping from NHA to PCHA caused a big stir out east. Was "biggest drawing card in the league"
The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Dec 2, 1912Page 8Daily News Advertiser
Vancouver, Metro Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada • Sun, Dec 8, 1912Page 18Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Dec 10, 1912Page 16The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Dec 11, 1912Page 8The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Thu, Dec 12, 1912Page 6"With Fred Taylor and Ernie Johnson the coast fans will see two of the greatest hockey players in the world"
Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Jan 27, 1913Page 14The Sault Star
Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Jan 27, 1913Page 5Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 29, 1913Page 14The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Feb 17, 1913Page 10Daily News Advertiser
Vancouver, Metro Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada • Sun, Feb 23, 1913Page 12The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Mar 1, 1913Page 8Moose noted "speed merchant and grand blocker" makes 1st team AS in 1913.
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Mar 1, 1913Page 12Moose knocks Taylor out of game with big hit.
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Mar 8, 1913Page 1The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Mar 12, 1913Page 10Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Mar 19, 1913Page 15The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Mar 31, 1913Page 10
Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Sep 22, 1913Page 1"Conceded to be one of the greatest players in the game"
Daily News Advertiser
Vancouver, Metro Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Dec 6, 1913Page 8Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Dec 6, 1913Page 14The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Dec 22, 1913Page 8The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Mon, Dec 22, 1913Page 4Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 17, 1914Page 141st game back after missing almost a month with 14 stitches in ankle (skate blade) played splendid game
The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 31, 1914Page 8The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 10, 1914Page 101914 All-Star
The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Dec 3, 1914Page 7The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Mon, Dec 7, 1914Page 8The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Sat, Dec 11, 1915Page 19Tom Murray (goalie) states that Moose "is the best defence player he ever played behind"
The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Dec 16, 1914Page 6The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Wed, Dec 16, 1914Page 12The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Dec 17, 1914Page 4Suffers a serious fractured jaw and still plays a dominant game
The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Dec 27, 1914Page 24The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Jan 3, 1915Page 24Noted bad luck run of serious injuries. He still plays regardless.
The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Wed, Jan 6, 1915Page 12Broken ribs. Stays in game.
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Jan 7, 1915Page 4The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Jan 10, 1915Page 18Great feature speaking to the difference between Nighbor (hook) and Johnson's (poke) checking styles. You'll see numerous entries later that cement that it was Moose Johnson who originated the poke check with Montreal.
The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Wed, Jan 20, 1915Page 12The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Jan 24, 1915Page 19Great overview of Johnson
The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Feb 27, 1915Page 10The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Feb 28, 1915Page 181915 AS squads. Fantastic overview of Moose's dominance
"Johnson is without equal as a defence player in professional hockey"
"Moose, at his worst, is far superior to some defense men in the professional game at their best"
The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Oct 22, 1915Page 6The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Tue, Oct 26, 1915Page 12The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Dec 11, 1915Page 13The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Dec 15, 1915Page 13The Seattle Star
Seattle, Washington • Sat, Dec 18, 1915Page 7The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Wed, Dec 22, 1915Page 12Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 12, 1916Page 10Daily News Advertiser
Vancouver, Metro Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada • Sun, Jan 16, 1916Page 12Incredible article by Barney Gross on Moose. Well worth reading the entirety.
"Copyrighted the poke check"
The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Jan 16, 1916Page 15The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Jan 30, 1916Page 16Great pictorial of how many serious injuries Johnson has sustained already by 1916.
Star-Phoenix
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • Fri, Feb 11, 1916Page 6The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Feb 13, 1916Page 21The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Feb 19, 1916Page 12The Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Iowa • Sat, Mar 18, 1916Page 14The New York Times
New York, New York • Wed, Apr 5, 1916Page 14The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Nov 19, 1916Page 19The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Nov 20, 1916Page 6The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Dec 9, 1916Page 16The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington • Mon, Dec 11, 1916Page 11The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington • Wed, Dec 13, 1916Page 16The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington • Tue, Dec 12, 1916Page 14The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Dec 13, 1916Page 14The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Dec 16, 1916Page 14The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Dec 22, 1916Page 12The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Dec 24, 1916Page 10The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Dec 30, 1916Page 16The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 3, 1917Page 10The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 10, 1917Page 6Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 31, 1917Page 9The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Feb 10, 1917Page 16The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Tue, Feb 13, 1917Page 12The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Wed, Feb 14, 1917Page 14The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Feb 18, 1917Page 24Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Feb 21, 1917Page 10The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Wed, Feb 21, 1917Page 14Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Feb 26, 1917Page 10Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Feb 26, 1917Page 10The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Nov 4, 1917Page 26Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Jan 9, 1918Page 10Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Jan 15, 1918Page 10The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Fri, Jan 18, 1918Page 8Spokane Chronicle
Spokane, Washington • Thu, Jan 24, 1918Page 16The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Jan 26, 1918Page 9The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Feb 6, 1918Page 8The Oregon Daily Journal
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Feb 9, 1918Page 9The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 12, 1918Page 10Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 12, 1918Page 10The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sat, Feb 23, 1918Page 8The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Mar 5, 1918Page 10The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Mar 7, 1918Page 10The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Mar 3, 1918Page 21The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Nov 30, 1918Page 18The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Jan 7, 1919Page 8Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Jan 9, 1919Page 10Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Jan 21, 1919Page 10The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Jan 23, 1919Page 10The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 25, 1919Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 1, 1919Page 13The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Feb 5, 1919Page 12The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Feb 6, 1919Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Feb 7, 1919Page 10The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sun, Feb 9, 1919Page 15The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Feb 10, 1919Page 8The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sun, Feb 23, 1919Page 15The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 25, 1919Page 8The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Feb 26, 1919Page 8The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Mar 8, 1919Page 12Saskatoon Daily Star
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • Mon, Nov 17, 1919Page 6Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Tue, Nov 18, 1919Page 5The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Dec 18, 1919Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Dec 27, 1919Page 9The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Dec 29, 1919Page 10The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Dec 29, 1919Page 8The Vancouver Sun Archive
The Vancouver Sun Archive
The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Dec 30, 1919Page 12Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Jan 8, 1920Page 12The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 10, 1920Page 14The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Jan 13, 1920Page 8The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 17, 1920Page 16The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 24, 1920Page 14The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 31, 1920Page 8The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 10, 1920Page 8Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 10, 1920Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 28, 1920Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Mar 6, 1920Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Nov 18, 1920Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Dec 15, 1920Page 13The Seattle Star
Seattle, Washington • Thu, Dec 23, 1920Page 12The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Dec 23, 1920Page 24The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Dec 24, 1920Page 24The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Dec 24, 1920Page 10Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Tue, Dec 28, 1920Page 12The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Jan 3, 1921Page 12The Spokane Press
Spokane, Washington • Wed, Jan 5, 1921Page 7The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Jan 6, 1921Page 12Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 29, 1921Page 14The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 5, 1921Page 28Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 8, 1921Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 12, 1921Page 10The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Feb 17, 1921Page 20The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Feb 17, 1921Page 4The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 19, 1921Page 10The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Feb 22, 1921Page 18The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Feb 26, 1921Page 10Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Mon, Feb 28, 1921Page 16The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Mar 3, 1921Page 10The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Mar 5, 1921Page 28The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Mar 5, 1921Page 10Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Mar 8, 1921Page 10The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Mar 8, 1921Page 4The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Mar 8, 1921Page 10The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Oct 29, 1921Page 18The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Dec 8, 1921Page 12Seattle Union Record
Seattle, Washington • Fri, Dec 9, 1921Page 4The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Dec 10, 1921Page 12The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Dec 12, 1921Page 20Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Wed, Dec 7, 1921Page 18Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Dec 13, 1921Page 11The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Wed, Dec 21, 1921Page 12The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Thu, Dec 22, 1921Page 12The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Dec 23, 1921Page 26Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Sat, Dec 24, 1921Page 16The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Dec 24, 1921Page 12hh
Free Press Prairie Farmer
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • Wed, Dec 28, 1921Page 34The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 14, 1922Page 10The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 14, 1922Page 8The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Jan 21, 1922Page 12The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Jan 22, 1922Page 23The Sunday Oregonian Archive
The Hutchinson Gazette
Hutchinson, Kansas • Sat, Feb 18, 1922Page 2The Daily Standard
Kingston, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Mar 4, 1922Page 11Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Fri, Mar 7, 1924Page 19The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Tue, Dec 29, 1925Page 10Star Tribune
Minneapolis, Minnesota • Sun, Jan 16, 1927Page 22The Minneapolis Star
Minneapolis, Minnesota • Wed, Mar 23, 1927Page 10The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Feb 19, 1928Page 62The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Wed, Dec 12, 1928Page 25The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, Dec 14, 1928Page 24Post Career Sources:
The Sault Star
Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Feb 7, 1930Page 11The Windsor Star
Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Jan 29, 1931Page 19The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Mar 3, 1931Page 11The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Thu, Jan 28, 1932Page 15The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Dec 13, 1932Page 12The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Tue, Feb 27, 1934Page 12The Atlanta Journal
Atlanta, Georgia • Sun, Jan 17, 1937Page 56The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Nov 27, 1937Page 28The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Nov 27, 1937Page 33The Windsor Star
Windsor, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Dec 4, 1937Page 31Telegraph-Journal
Saint John, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada • Mon, Feb 7, 1938Page 9The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Tue, Feb 8, 1938Page 21Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Wed, Nov 22, 1939Page 13The Province
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Fri, May 31, 1940Page 31The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Wed, Nov 19, 1941Page 14The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Fri, Mar 5, 1943Page 24The Calgary Albertan
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Thu, Apr 8, 1943Page 10The Toronto Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Thu, Nov 4, 1943Page 16The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Mon, Mar 27, 1944Page 9The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Tue, Jan 2, 1945Page 15The Morning Union
Springfield, Massachusetts • Sun, Feb 15, 1948Page 22The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Thu, Dec 30, 1948Page 12The Montreal Star
Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Sat, Jan 8, 1949Page 20The Kingston Whig-Standard
Kingston, Ontario, Canada • Fri, Feb 11, 1949Page 10Star Weekly
Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Sat, Apr 16, 1949Page 19The Victoria Daily Times
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Sat, Nov 5, 1949Page 26The Vancouver Sun
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Dec 19, 1950Page 13Calgary Herald
Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Fri, Apr 13, 1951Page 30Times Colonist
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • Tue, Aug 19, 1952Page 6The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Thu, Aug 21, 1952Page 25The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Thu, May 21, 1953Page 17The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Jul 18, 1954Page 41The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Fri, Oct 30, 1959Page 35The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, May 14, 1961Page 83The Sunday Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Sun, Aug 5, 1962Page 100The Oregonian
Portland, Oregon • Thu, May 2, 1963Page 59Attachments
Last edited:
Boreal01
Registered User
Mitch Marner
Awards/Achievements
2x First Team All-Star (2021, 2022)
All-Star Voting: 1st (2021), 1st (2022), 3rd (2019), 5th (2020), 5th (2023), 7th (2024)
Selke Voting: 3rd (2023), 10th (2021), 14th (2019), 16th (2022), 17th (2024)
Lady Byng Voting: 4th (2022)
4 Nations Face-Off Champion (2025)
World Championship Silver Medalist (2017)
3x All-Star Game (2020, 2023, 2024)
All-Rookie Team (2017)
Statistics
Points: 4th (2021), 10th (2022), 11th (2019), 13th (2023), 19th (2020)
Assists: 4th (2019), 4th (2021), 8th (2023), 9th (2020), 11th (2022), 17th (2024)
Takeaways: 1st (2023), 4th (2018), 5th (2021), 8th (2022), 9th (2020), 10th (2017), 11th (2019)
Since entering the NHL in 2016-17 to present (2025/02/24)
Points: 8th (710)
Points/GP: 10th (1.12)
Assists: 6th (500)
Assists/GP: 5th (0.79)
PP Assists: 5th (170)
Takeaways: 2nd (623)
Takeaways/GP: 2nd (0.99)
Player Quotes
“He’s just so silky… I mean, he’s very shifty out there. Just his ability to buy time and create space and his playmaking ability, all those things. He’s just a heck of a hockey player all the way around. And his hockey IQ is off the charts.” - Sidney Crosby
“A guy that I’ve never played with before at any level, so I’m excited about that…
Reminds me a little bit of [Leon Draisaitl], he can slow the game down when he has to, and I like playing with guys like that.” - Connor McDavid
“He’s one of the smartest players in the league… When he has the puck, he sees things that other players don’t see and he always makes something out of nothing. You never quite know what he’s going to do, so it’s challenging.” - Roman Josi
“Everyone knows how good he is offensively, but the way he pays attention to the defensive zone, the way he uses his stick, he is a special player… To be able to play two-way and put up numbers that he does is pretty incredible.” - Aleksander Barkov
“I play with some of the best players in the league, and then I skate with (Marner) and he’s right up there with anyone. Especially at that Vail (Colorado) camp, there’s a lot of good players, and he’s stuck out as one of the best for sure… He’s always so impressive out there. Even just playing with him [at the 2017 Worlds], he just came off his rookie year. Unreal, just so good, so talented.” - Nathan MacKinnon
“He’s such a dangerous two-way player. He’s great on the penalty kill, he’s so smart, he’s elusive, his edgework is great, his playmaking…You know, we all talk about it as players, you play against these guys and you have an appreciation for how good they are.” - Steven Stamkos
“One of the things with him that I really notice when I watch him is he’s got that all-around complete game where he’s blocking shots, playing defence–which I never really did that much at that age…” - Patrick Kane
"They go to the net hard. He (Marner) is an unbelievable player; he's pretty underrated in my mind. He's got great speed and got his head up the whole time. They play a hard game, so it's always fun to have those kind of challenges and try to shut them down tonight." - Victor Hedman
“He brings so many things. He’s so competitive, but I think just how elusive he is. With the way he can create plays, and just being off balance, and being able to put these pucks in the right areas. Just such a competitor…Getting to play with him in the short time I did, it was just so fun. You see the way he sees the game, at such a unique level.” - Ryan O'Reilly
“I think he’s unbelievable. I think each and every day, watching him play, practising with him, the hockey sense he has, the skill he has, it’s pretty amazing to be around…(Marner) sees the ice so well. I don’t know what he’s done over his years, but he developed some very high skill level and he works, competes. He wants that puck and he wants to get it back when he loses it. You can see with his takeaways how he can pick-pocket guys. It’s really impressive.” - Patrick Marleau
“It’s exceptional. He’s got incredible hockey sense, not just with the puck but I think just with understanding the game as a whole, it’s pretty impressive. Even when we’re just trying to retrieve pucks and our adjustments we make and the things he talks about, it’s pretty impressive the way he can see it especially at a young age at this level. Obviously his ability with it, his edgework, it speaks for itself, you can see the plays that he makes on a nightly basis and it’s fun to play with.” - John Tavares
“I would take him on my team any day. The way that he plays, unbelievable teammate from what I’ve experienced.” - Mark Stone
Coach Quotes
“I’m a massive Mitch Marner fan… He's always had it [confidence and swag], but you see it in how he plays. Being able to coach him in 2017, he's always had it, but he's let it out a little bit more. But in a good way. He's not showing off. He does everything with a purpose, and he thinks the game. It's amazing how he thinks it. It's elite." - Jon Cooper
“He puts himself at that level the way he thinks the game, the way he processes the game at such a high level and high rate of speed. That’s why he’s the player he is. I’ve watched him close up, I’ve had playoff series against him, I’ve watched what he can do. There’s not too many players that can excel at power play, penalty kill, at 5-on-5 and at 3-on-3. He can do it all.” - Jon Cooper
“He is one of the best players in the league. He is so creative with the puck. He is elusive. He is really, really smart as well. The thing is that we can’t be chasing him around the rink. We have a plan to be in the structure we’re in, but in the end, you just hope to contain these guys. You are not going to completely shut them down. They are too gifted as players.” - Jon Cooper
“Marner is the whole package. He doesn’t get enough credit…the way he manages pucks and makes plays.” - Darryl Sutter
“He’s as honest a player there is. He blocks shots, kills penalties, defensively is really good.” - Peter DeBoer
“Years ago I remember Gretzky like ‘why doesn’t anybody hit that guy?’, well, it’s not that easy right… He’s a good player and he’s played well against us and obviously we need to find an answer to him.” - Bruce Cassidy
“Nothing but respect for his skill level, great hockey IQ…I just have a ton of respect for the man as a player.” - Rick Bowness
“He’s an elite player…Just watching him over the years, I think he’s a kid that cares so so much.” - Dallas Eakins
“A top penalty killer on one of the top penalty-killing units. Plays tough minutes. He’s top of the list of guys that go out when you’re defending leads, all those kinds of things, and we've had to count on him a lot in those situations this season…He's one of the top defensive or, certainly, top two-way forwards. And the defensive responsibilities that he has are right at the top of list for us. When we're in those situations, he’s the guy over the boards.” - Sheldon Keefe
“Mitch has been a real good player all year, in all areas of the game. PK, power play, 5-on-5, whatever we ask him to do, he’s doing it.” - Craig Berube
Awards/Achievements
2x First Team All-Star (2021, 2022)
All-Star Voting: 1st (2021), 1st (2022), 3rd (2019), 5th (2020), 5th (2023), 7th (2024)
Selke Voting: 3rd (2023), 10th (2021), 14th (2019), 16th (2022), 17th (2024)
Lady Byng Voting: 4th (2022)
4 Nations Face-Off Champion (2025)
World Championship Silver Medalist (2017)
3x All-Star Game (2020, 2023, 2024)
All-Rookie Team (2017)
Statistics
Points: 4th (2021), 10th (2022), 11th (2019), 13th (2023), 19th (2020)
Assists: 4th (2019), 4th (2021), 8th (2023), 9th (2020), 11th (2022), 17th (2024)
Takeaways: 1st (2023), 4th (2018), 5th (2021), 8th (2022), 9th (2020), 10th (2017), 11th (2019)
Since entering the NHL in 2016-17 to present (2025/02/24)
Points: 8th (710)
Points/GP: 10th (1.12)
Assists: 6th (500)
Assists/GP: 5th (0.79)
PP Assists: 5th (170)
Takeaways: 2nd (623)
Takeaways/GP: 2nd (0.99)
Player Quotes
“He’s just so silky… I mean, he’s very shifty out there. Just his ability to buy time and create space and his playmaking ability, all those things. He’s just a heck of a hockey player all the way around. And his hockey IQ is off the charts.” - Sidney Crosby
“A guy that I’ve never played with before at any level, so I’m excited about that…
Reminds me a little bit of [Leon Draisaitl], he can slow the game down when he has to, and I like playing with guys like that.” - Connor McDavid
“He’s one of the smartest players in the league… When he has the puck, he sees things that other players don’t see and he always makes something out of nothing. You never quite know what he’s going to do, so it’s challenging.” - Roman Josi
“Everyone knows how good he is offensively, but the way he pays attention to the defensive zone, the way he uses his stick, he is a special player… To be able to play two-way and put up numbers that he does is pretty incredible.” - Aleksander Barkov
“I play with some of the best players in the league, and then I skate with (Marner) and he’s right up there with anyone. Especially at that Vail (Colorado) camp, there’s a lot of good players, and he’s stuck out as one of the best for sure… He’s always so impressive out there. Even just playing with him [at the 2017 Worlds], he just came off his rookie year. Unreal, just so good, so talented.” - Nathan MacKinnon
“He’s such a dangerous two-way player. He’s great on the penalty kill, he’s so smart, he’s elusive, his edgework is great, his playmaking…You know, we all talk about it as players, you play against these guys and you have an appreciation for how good they are.” - Steven Stamkos
“One of the things with him that I really notice when I watch him is he’s got that all-around complete game where he’s blocking shots, playing defence–which I never really did that much at that age…” - Patrick Kane
"They go to the net hard. He (Marner) is an unbelievable player; he's pretty underrated in my mind. He's got great speed and got his head up the whole time. They play a hard game, so it's always fun to have those kind of challenges and try to shut them down tonight." - Victor Hedman
“He brings so many things. He’s so competitive, but I think just how elusive he is. With the way he can create plays, and just being off balance, and being able to put these pucks in the right areas. Just such a competitor…Getting to play with him in the short time I did, it was just so fun. You see the way he sees the game, at such a unique level.” - Ryan O'Reilly
“I think he’s unbelievable. I think each and every day, watching him play, practising with him, the hockey sense he has, the skill he has, it’s pretty amazing to be around…(Marner) sees the ice so well. I don’t know what he’s done over his years, but he developed some very high skill level and he works, competes. He wants that puck and he wants to get it back when he loses it. You can see with his takeaways how he can pick-pocket guys. It’s really impressive.” - Patrick Marleau
“It’s exceptional. He’s got incredible hockey sense, not just with the puck but I think just with understanding the game as a whole, it’s pretty impressive. Even when we’re just trying to retrieve pucks and our adjustments we make and the things he talks about, it’s pretty impressive the way he can see it especially at a young age at this level. Obviously his ability with it, his edgework, it speaks for itself, you can see the plays that he makes on a nightly basis and it’s fun to play with.” - John Tavares
“I would take him on my team any day. The way that he plays, unbelievable teammate from what I’ve experienced.” - Mark Stone
Coach Quotes
“I’m a massive Mitch Marner fan… He's always had it [confidence and swag], but you see it in how he plays. Being able to coach him in 2017, he's always had it, but he's let it out a little bit more. But in a good way. He's not showing off. He does everything with a purpose, and he thinks the game. It's amazing how he thinks it. It's elite." - Jon Cooper
“He puts himself at that level the way he thinks the game, the way he processes the game at such a high level and high rate of speed. That’s why he’s the player he is. I’ve watched him close up, I’ve had playoff series against him, I’ve watched what he can do. There’s not too many players that can excel at power play, penalty kill, at 5-on-5 and at 3-on-3. He can do it all.” - Jon Cooper
“He is one of the best players in the league. He is so creative with the puck. He is elusive. He is really, really smart as well. The thing is that we can’t be chasing him around the rink. We have a plan to be in the structure we’re in, but in the end, you just hope to contain these guys. You are not going to completely shut them down. They are too gifted as players.” - Jon Cooper
“Marner is the whole package. He doesn’t get enough credit…the way he manages pucks and makes plays.” - Darryl Sutter
“He’s as honest a player there is. He blocks shots, kills penalties, defensively is really good.” - Peter DeBoer
“Years ago I remember Gretzky like ‘why doesn’t anybody hit that guy?’, well, it’s not that easy right… He’s a good player and he’s played well against us and obviously we need to find an answer to him.” - Bruce Cassidy
“Nothing but respect for his skill level, great hockey IQ…I just have a ton of respect for the man as a player.” - Rick Bowness
“He’s an elite player…Just watching him over the years, I think he’s a kid that cares so so much.” - Dallas Eakins
“A top penalty killer on one of the top penalty-killing units. Plays tough minutes. He’s top of the list of guys that go out when you’re defending leads, all those kinds of things, and we've had to count on him a lot in those situations this season…He's one of the top defensive or, certainly, top two-way forwards. And the defensive responsibilities that he has are right at the top of list for us. When we're in those situations, he’s the guy over the boards.” - Sheldon Keefe
“Mitch has been a real good player all year, in all areas of the game. PK, power play, 5-on-5, whatever we ask him to do, he’s doing it.” - Craig Berube
