The 2018 Fictitious Veteran Inductees

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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Red Dutton

Okay….we are a little befuddled by this one. Red Dutton was certainly a good player (to us, anyone who makes the National Hockey League regardless of the era is a decent hockey player) but was he a Hall of Famer? At no point did Dutton ever win a championship or lead the league in any category other than Penalty Minutes. Nor was Dutton a part of Championship team and nor did he eclipse the 100 point total in his entire career.

Red Dutton

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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Paddy Moran

The first few seasons of Paddy Moran may not have been the most productive, but as his career progressed, Moran became known as a clutch goaltender and he backstopped the Quebec Bulldogs to two Stanley Cups in 1912 & 1913. Generally though, Moran was not on a lot of winning squads and it was his clutch performances in big games that got him enshrined. A similar career in this era may not have gotten him in.

Paddy Moran

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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Lloyd Turner

Lloyd Turner may not have been a great hockey player, but he did everything he could to expand the game that he loved. Turner started two teams in Calgary and Edmonton which would become the foundation for the Western Canada Hockey League and would manage multiple teams in the area. Subsequently, he would build rinks across the country further enabling the growth of the game. Later, Turner would invest his time in furthering the Allan Cup’s media profile and would organize other hockey tournaments around the country. There are some builders whose place in the Hall may be suspect, but Lloyd Turner is not one of them.

Lloyd Turner

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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King Clancy

King Clancy’s overall career in hockey is staggering. A very good defenceman for the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Clancy was a three time Stanley Cup winner and a four time Post Season All Star (two on the first team, two on the second) and was a fan favorite for his tenacious and feisty play. After his career on the ice ended, he would go on to coach the Montreal Maroons and later become an NHL referee. Clancy would return to the Toronto Maple Leafs in various front office positions in the following decades. Clancy not only belongs in the Hall of Fame but as an honored member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Thankfully, he is both.

King Clancy

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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James E. Norris

A hockey enthusiast from a very wealthy family, James E. Norris attempted to put a second team in Chicago but after that failed he bought the Detroit Falcons and rechristened them the Red Wings and turned that team into a National Hockey League power. This was at an essential time as the strength of that club countered the folding of franchises in Ottawa and Montreal (Maroons), and enabled the NHL to become a viable entity in the sporting world. James E. Norris was the type of owner that you wanted to be associated with your favorite team in the sport you love.

James E Norris

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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Hughie Lehman

A longtime goaltender in Vancouver’s early history of hockey, Hughie “Old Eagle Eyes” Lehman appeared in eight Stanley Cup championships, although he only won once. Regardless of his poor finals record, Hughie Lehman was a still a very good backstopper who is credited for being the first to rush outside of his net and move the puck forward in what was then an unconventional way. Lehman did make it to the NHL in his early forties and had a productive season for Chicago.

Hughie Lehman

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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Herb Gardiner

Herb Gardiner did not enter the National Hockey League until he was 35 years old. It was not because he wasn’t good enough, as he certainly was, but in the early 20’s, Hockey had multiple talented leagues and he chose to ply his trade for the Western Canadian Hockey League and was the defensive star for the Calgary Tigers and won the league title there in 1924. When the league collapsed, Gardiner joined the Montreal Canadians and despite his advanced age, was alleged to have played every minute for the Habs in that 44 game season and won the Hart Trophy. Although his play declined after, Gardiner remained in the NHL for a few more years and rightfully took his place in the Hall of Fame for his stellar defensive work in hockey.

Herb Gardiner

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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George McNamara

A large and rugged defenseman, George McNamara bounced around many teams pounding down offensive threats in his end. McNamara helped the Toronto Blueshirts win the Stanley Cup in 1914 and had it not been for his participation in World War I, may have won more. With that said, and with all due respect to McNamara, his induction would not have been missed had it not occurred.

George McNamara

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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George Hay

A perennial All Star in the Western Canadian Hockey League, the diminutive George Hay was adept at putting the puck into the net. Although he was still a decent scorer when he got into the National Hockey League, he only had a pair of seasons where he was in the top ten in scoring. Still his overall body of work made him a worthy entry for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

George Hay

Published in 1958 Hockey Inductees
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George Dudley

Enshrined in the Builders Category, George Dudley was inducted for his behind the scenes work on behalf of Amateur Hockey in Canada. His initial contributions were for the Ontario Hockey Association serving in various capacities until he became its President in 1934. He would hold that post for two years and then become the organizations Secretary until his death in 1960. Dudley would also become the President of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association from 1940 to 1942, and later become the Secretary for the IIHF. As the North American representative for the IIHF, he would help facilitate the first Soviet National Team tour across North America.

George Dudley

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