Born in Canada, Al Leader moved to the United States and eventually worked his way to Seattle, Washington and became an on ice official and administrator for the Seattle City Hockey League. He would also Coach and General Manage teams within the league and by 1940, he would form the Defense Hockey League which comprised of five teams in Seattle and Portland, and later he would become the Secretary of the Pacific Hockey League. By the early 50’s, the league became a professional one and was rechristened the Western Hockey League in which Leader became the President. It was under his tenure, that NHL officials were concerned that the league could become a threat and this helped convince the National Hockey League to expand from six to twelve teams in 1967. The Western Hockey League would eventually fold, but for his dedication to the sport, Leader was selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. We are sure if he were still alive, he would have somehow found a way to facilitate an NHL team to the American Pacific Northwest.

More than anything, we get a kick out of an entry to the Hockey Hall of Fame being born in the West Indies. That selection, Jim Hendy also stands out in the Hall, as his Hockey related work did not happen on the ice, or behind a bench. It took place mostly with his pen and a calculator.

James Dunn’s lifelong work in the world of Manitoba Hockey is what got him his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. A minor league hockey player himself, Dunn returned from World War I unable to play, but still was still involved in the minors in an administrative capacity. Later, he began working with the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association where he served as Secretary, Vice President and a six year stint as the President.   Dunn would repeat the same climb with Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, becoming its President in 1955.

The “Cowboy”, Bill Cowley was easily one of the top playmaking forward in his era. Cowley was a three time assists leader and a one time points leader who won the Hart Trophy twice; albeit in the World War II era whereby the talent in the league was reduced. Still, he did well in that era and good enough in the one that followed (and prior to) and is also as a two time Stanley Cup winner. He may not be remembered as much as he should be, but be definitely belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame.