Aubrey Dit Clapper One of A Kind

[ImporterExporter]

I just wrapped up an extensive biography on Dit Clapper and wanted to share with this sub-forum especially.

It was an absolute pleasure (sincere) spending hours looking back through countless newspapers (newspapers.com members plus package) for material that would help paint a definitive picture on this legend. I wasn't expecting to unearth what I did, and am reminded of how much we still have to learn about the rich history of this game and the players and coaches who made hockey so amazing.

I hope you all enjoy and I welcome comments, questions, anything!

Post in thread 'Atd2025 Bio Thread'

Feb 10, 2025

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

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

Entries are chronologically dated:

The Boston Globe​

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

The Boston Globe​

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

The Springfield Daily Republican​

Springfield, Massachusetts • Wed...

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[ImporterExporter]

I had someone ask me recently who they thought Clapper would compare with in terms of a modern day player and while I don't consider it a "perfect" match, the name I keep coming back to is Chris Pronger.

Offensively they both had big shots. I think Clapper was a better skater, though Pronger came with a meaner streak in the sense he'd cross the line of what's good/bad hockey, whereas Clapper being absolutely a heavyweight checker/fighter, kept himself on the clean side of hits/fights more often.

 

[tinyzombies]

Eddie Shore drops the hammer then Dit Clapper shows off his speed and mitts and scores the winner on February 22, 1938. I think he might be underrated just a tad lol…

 

[BenchBrawl]

Dit Clapper drops the hammer then shows off his speed and mitts and scores the winner on February 22, 1938. I think he might be underrated just a tad lol…
View attachment 1256786
View attachment 1256787

Isn't that Eddie Shore #2 on the first video?

 

[tinyzombies]

Isn't that Eddie Shore #2 on the first video?

It’s against the Rangers so Art Coulter.

 

[BenchBrawl]

It’s against the Rangers

What do you mean by that in relation to my question?

 

[tinyzombies]

What do you mean by that in relation to my question?

Oh, I thought you were talking about the New York player. Yes you are right that would be Eddie shore

 

[rfournier103]

Funny… I mentioned Dit Clapper on the Bruins board yesterday.

To the best of my knowledge, he’s the only Bruin to win the Stanley Cup three times as a player.

 

[rfournier103]

Dit Clapper drops the hammer then shows off his speed and mitts and scores the winner on February 22, 1938. I think he might be underrated just a tad lol…
View attachment 1256786
View attachment 1256787

Clapper had his number 5 retired by the Bruins and is in the hockey hall of fame. You may be right about him being underrated, though. Unfortunately, the current Bruins ownership seems to think that Bruins history began in 1966 when Bobby Orr skated onto the scene, so Clapper is somewhat of a forgotten hero. He played in the shadow of Eddie Shore at the beginning of his career, and Milt Schmidt at the end. In just the last couple of days, I’ve developed a real appreciation for Mr. Clapper that I never had before. He was a cornerstone of the first era of bruins hockey from 1924 (the team’s founding) to 1941 (WWII).

 

[tinyzombies]

Funny… I mentioned Dit Clapper on the Bruins board yesterday.

To the best of my knowledge, he’s the only Bruin to win the Stanley Cup three times as a player.

I fixed the caption

 

[tinyzombies]

Clapper had his number 5 retired by the Bruins and is in the hockey hall of fame. You may be right about him being underrated, though. Unfortunately, the current Bruins ownership seems to think that Bruins history began in 1966 when Bobby Orr skated onto the scene, so Clapper is somewhat of a forgotten hero. He played in the shadow of Eddie Shore at the beginning of his career, and Milt Schmidt at the end. In just the last couple of days, I’ve developed a real appreciation for Mr. Clapper that I never had before. He was a cornerstone of the first era of bruins hockey from 1924 (the team’s founding) to 1941 (WWII).

Was a star winger and then later in his career, turned himself into the best defenseman in the league for a few years. Unheard of. And he played both sides equally well and could switch in the middle of a game. Great skater obviously as we can see in the GIF. And he was a lot bigger than most every other player. He could throw a big hit, but did not rack up huge penalty minutes.

 

[rfournier103]

Was a star winger and then later in his career, turned himself into the best defenseman in the league for a few years. Unheard of. And he played both sides equally well and could switch in the middle of a game. Great skater obviously as we can see in the GIF. And he was a lot bigger than most every other player. He could throw a big hit, but did not rack up huge penalty minutes.

Great post.

I read his Wikipedia page and a couple of things jumped out at me.

1. Dit Clapper scored 10 seconds into his first shift of his first game. Pretty impressive.

2. In a playoff game against the Maroons, Clapper KOd referee Clarence Campbell (yes, that Clarence Campbell) with a single punch after Campbell called him an unspecified slur.

I never knew any of this.

 

[tinyzombies]

Great post.

I read his Wikipedia page and a couple of things jumped out at me.

1. Dit Clapper scored 10 seconds into his first shift of his first game. Pretty impressive.

2. In a playoff game against the Maroons, Clapper KOd referee Clarence Campbell (yes, that Clarence Campbell) with a single punch after Campbell called him an unspecified slur.

I never knew any of this.

Good!