George Hay (hockey)
Encyclopedia
William George "The Western Wizard" Hay (January 10, 1898 – July 13, 1975) was a Canadian
professional ice hockey
forward
who played for the Regina Capitals
and Portland Rosebuds
of the Western Canada Hockey League
(WCHL) and the Chicago Black Hawks
and Detroit Red Wings
in the National Hockey League
(NHL). He was a top star on the Canadian prairies, named a WCHL All-Star four times in five seasons. He transferred to the NHL in 1926 when the Rosebuds were sold to the rival league and went on to score the first goal in the history of the Chicago Black Hawks. He retired in 1933 after several seasons with the Red Wings. Hay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1958.
, Manitoba at an early age. He and childhood fiend Dick Irvin
were teammates on the Winnipeg Monarchs
when they played junior, but Hay left hockey for three years to serve with the Canadian Forestry Corps
during World War I
.
, Saskatchewan and played two seasons with the Regina Victorias
of the Sasktachewan Senior Hockey League between 1919 and 1921. He then joined the Regina Capitals
and began his professional career in the WCHL. In four years in Regina, he was named a league First-Team All-Star three times. Hay remained with the team after it relocated to become the Portland Rosebuds
in 1925, and was named an All-Star for the fourth time in 1925–26. When the league collapsed in 1926, the Rosebuds were sold in their entirety to the NHL and became the Chicago Black Hawks
.
Hay joined the team in Chicago for the 1926–27 NHL season, and on November 17, 1926 scored the first goal in the history of the Black Hawks. He completed the season in Chicago but was traded, along with Percy Traub
, to the Detroit Cougars
in exchange for $15,000 after its conclusion. Hay played his finest NHL season in 1927–28, leading the team in goals and points, and was named to an unofficial all-star team by the league's managers. He played seven seasons in the Detroit organization, and retired one game into the 1933–34 season to take over as the coach of their minor league team, the Detroit Olympics
, whom he spent three years with before leaving the game.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1958, and has been honoured by the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
. He was considered one of the best stickhandlers in the game during his time in the NHL.
. He served as a flight-lieutenant and instructor with the Royal Canadian Air Force
until the conclusion of the war, after which he returned to his insurance business. He retired in 1965 and lived quietly until his death in Stratford
, Ontario ten years later.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
who played for the Regina Capitals
Regina Capitals
The Regina Capitals were a professional ice hockey team originally based in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan in the Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921.-Franchise history:...
and Portland Rosebuds
Portland Rosebuds
Portland Rosebuds is the name of at least three professional teams based in Portland, Oregon during the first half of the 20th century. Two were professional men's ice hockey teams playing their home games at the Portland Ice Arena, one from 1914 to 1918 and another in 1925-6...
of the Western Canada Hockey League
Western Canada Hockey League
The Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921, was a major professional ice hockey league originally based in the prairies of Canada. It was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1925 and disbanded in 1926.-History:...
(WCHL) and the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
and Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He was a top star on the Canadian prairies, named a WCHL All-Star four times in five seasons. He transferred to the NHL in 1926 when the Rosebuds were sold to the rival league and went on to score the first goal in the history of the Chicago Black Hawks. He retired in 1933 after several seasons with the Red Wings. Hay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in 1958.
Early life
Hay was born in Listowel, Ontario but moved to WinnipegWinnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba at an early age. He and childhood fiend Dick Irvin
Dick Irvin
James Dickinson Irvin, Sr. was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League.Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Irvin was one of the greatest players of his day, balancing a torrid slapshot and tough style with gentlemanly play...
were teammates on the Winnipeg Monarchs
Winnipeg Monarchs
The Winnipeg Monarchs were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Canada Hockey League from 1967 to 1977 under three names. The team played as the Winnipeg Jets from 1967 to 1973; the Winnipeg Clubs from 1973 to 1976, and the Winnipeg Monarchs from 1976 to 1977. The Monarchs franchise...
when they played junior, but Hay left hockey for three years to serve with the Canadian Forestry Corps
Canadian Forestry Corps
The Canadian Forestry Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army with its own cap badge, and other insignia and traditions.The Canadian Forestry Corps was created 14 Nov 1916. The crest of the Canadian Forestry Corps consists of a circle, with a beaver on top, superimposed on a pair of...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Playing career
Returning from the war, Hay settled in ReginaRegina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, Saskatchewan and played two seasons with the Regina Victorias
Regina Victorias
The Regina Victorias were both a senior and junior ice hockey team from Regina, Saskatchewan. They have played in the Allan Cup Finals three times , winning the Allan Cup in their first appearance...
of the Sasktachewan Senior Hockey League between 1919 and 1921. He then joined the Regina Capitals
Regina Capitals
The Regina Capitals were a professional ice hockey team originally based in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan in the Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921.-Franchise history:...
and began his professional career in the WCHL. In four years in Regina, he was named a league First-Team All-Star three times. Hay remained with the team after it relocated to become the Portland Rosebuds
Portland Rosebuds
Portland Rosebuds is the name of at least three professional teams based in Portland, Oregon during the first half of the 20th century. Two were professional men's ice hockey teams playing their home games at the Portland Ice Arena, one from 1914 to 1918 and another in 1925-6...
in 1925, and was named an All-Star for the fourth time in 1925–26. When the league collapsed in 1926, the Rosebuds were sold in their entirety to the NHL and became the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
.
Hay joined the team in Chicago for the 1926–27 NHL season, and on November 17, 1926 scored the first goal in the history of the Black Hawks. He completed the season in Chicago but was traded, along with Percy Traub
Percy Traub
Percy L. "Puss" Traub was a professional ice hockey player who played for teams in the S-SSHL, NHL, WHL, WCHL, SSHL, and the SIHA hockey leagues....
, to the Detroit Cougars
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in exchange for $15,000 after its conclusion. Hay played his finest NHL season in 1927–28, leading the team in goals and points, and was named to an unofficial all-star team by the league's managers. He played seven seasons in the Detroit organization, and retired one game into the 1933–34 season to take over as the coach of their minor league team, the Detroit Olympics
Detroit Olympics
The Detroit Olympics were a minor league hockey team located in Detroit, Michigan that was a member of the Canadian Professional Hockey League 1927-29 and the International-American Hockey League 1929-36. The team played all of their home games at the Detroit Olympia...
, whom he spent three years with before leaving the game.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in 1958, and has been honoured by the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1985 when the first honoured members were named and plaques were erected in their honour. The first group of inductees was large in order to recognize the accomplishments of Manitoba players, coaches, builders and teams at the...
. He was considered one of the best stickhandlers in the game during his time in the NHL.
Off the ice
Following his hockey career, Hay worked in insurance until the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He served as a flight-lieutenant and instructor with the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
until the conclusion of the war, after which he returned to his insurance business. He retired in 1965 and lived quietly until his death in Stratford
Stratford, Ontario
Stratford is a city on the Avon River in Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada with a population of 32,000.When the area was first settled by Europeans in 1832, the townsite and the river were named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It is the seat of Perth County. Stratford was...
, Ontario ten years later.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1919–20 | Regina Victorias Regina Victorias The Regina Victorias were both a senior and junior ice hockey team from Regina, Saskatchewan. They have played in the Allan Cup Finals three times , winning the Allan Cup in their first appearance... |
SSHL Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League The Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League was a senior amateur ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan on-and-off from 1938-1971.-Champions:*1938-39: Saskatoon Quakers*1939-40: Moose Jaw Millers*1940-41: Regina Rangers... |
12 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1920–21 | Regina Victorias | SSHL | 16 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | ||
| 1921–22 | Regina Capitals Regina Capitals The Regina Capitals were a professional ice hockey team originally based in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan in the Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921.-Franchise history:... |
WCHL Western Canada Hockey League The Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921, was a major professional ice hockey league originally based in the prairies of Canada. It was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1925 and disbanded in 1926.-History:... |
25 | 21 | 11 | 32 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1922–23 | Regina Capitals | WCHL | 30 | 28 | 8 | 36 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1923–24 | Regina Capitals | WCHL | 25 | 20 | 11 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1924–25 | Regina Capitals | WCHL | 20 | 16 | 6 | 22 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1925–26 | Portland Rosebuds Portland Rosebuds Portland Rosebuds is the name of at least three professional teams based in Portland, Oregon during the first half of the 20th century. Two were professional men's ice hockey teams playing their home games at the Portland Ice Arena, one from 1914 to 1918 and another in 1925-6... |
WHL | 30 | 19 | 12 | 31 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1926–27 | Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
35 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1927–28 | Detroit Cougars Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL | 42 | 22 | 13 | 35 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1928–29 | Detroit Cougars | NHL | 39 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1929–30 | Detroit Cougars | NHL | 44 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1930–31 | Detroit Falcons | NHL | 44 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1931–32 | Detroit Olympics Detroit Olympics The Detroit Olympics were a minor league hockey team located in Detroit, Michigan that was a member of the Canadian Professional Hockey League 1927-29 and the International-American Hockey League 1929-36. The team played all of their home games at the Detroit Olympia... |
IHL | 48 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1932–33 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 34 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1933–34 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1933–34 | Detroit Olympics | IHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| WCHL totals | 130 | 104 | 48 | 152 | 39 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||||
| NHL totals | 239 | 74 | 60 | 134 | 84 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | ||||