It is very possible that Art Ross may have done enough to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame just for his on ice endeavors, or even enough on his off ice ones. Seriously, he was that important to the game.

A very important figure behind the scene in the growth of hockey (especially in Montreal), William Northey helped to establish the ECAHA (Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association) and later the CAHA (Canadian Amateur Hockey Association). Northey helped to convince Sir Montagu Allan to donate a trophy (The Allan Cup) which was (and still is) given to top Amateur team in Canada. He would become the Cup’s trustee. In Montreal, he was the director of the Canadian Arena Company which built the iconic Montreal Forum.

Initially a sportswriter whose true passion was hockey, W.A. Hewitt would become the secretary of the Ontario Hockey association; a position he would hold for nearly sixty years. He would also manage three teams for Canada to successive Gold Medals in the Olympics. Hewitt was a vital part of hockey’s growth in Toronto and was the longtime Manager of Attractions of the new Maple Leaf Gardens.

The ultimate amateur athlete, Russell Bowie refused to change his beliefs despite the changing hockey world around him. A major star in the first decade of the 20th century, Bowie would refuse all overtures to take pay of any kind; despite the sport moving towards that direction. He was an incredible stickhandler who led his league in scoring five times and averaged two and a half goals per game throughout his career. Bowie may have been selected in the second Hall of Fame class, but easily belonged in the first one.