Ken Wilson (ice hockey) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Ken Wilson, born July 23, 1923, in Craik, Saskatchewan

Craik, Saskatchewan

Craik is a town in south central Saskatchewan, Canada, incorporated on August 1, 1907. It is strategically located along Provincial Highway 11 in the RM of Craik No...

, was a minor hockey league General Manager and or owner for forty years. Twenty One years in the International Hockey League, five years in the Continental Hockey League and single seasons 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...

, Western Hockey League

Western Hockey League (minor pro)

The Western Hockey League was a minor pro ice hockey league that operated from 1952 to 1974. Managed for most of its history by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, it was created out of the merger of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League...

and, Eastern Hockey League. Wilson was known for having a keen eye for young talent as evidenced by his players winner 'Rookie Awards' a total of seven times.

Wilson played for the Saskatoon

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....

, Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....

, Mayfair Public School hockey team. In 1937, Mayfair won the J.D. McDonald Cup for Saskatoon public schools Hockey Championship, with Ken playing center and left wing.

In 1946, he moved from Trail, British Columbia

Trail, British Columbia

Trail is a city in the West Kootenay region of the Interior of British Columbia, Canada.-Geography:Trail has an area of . The city is located on both banks of the Columbia River, approximately 10 km north of the United States border. This section of the Columbia River valley is located between the...

to Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...

to work for the Rangers, a hockey team in the United States Hockey League (1945-51)

United States Hockey League (1945-51)

The United States Hockey League was a minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1945 to 1951. It was a post-World War II revival of the American Hockey Association, which shut down in the fall of 1942 . The league playoff champion was awarded the Paul W...

, owned by Eddie Shore

Eddie Shore

Edward William Shore was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, principally for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, and the longtime owner of the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League, iconic for his toughness and defensive skill.Shore won the Hart Trophy as the...

.

In 1950, Wilson became the Manager of the brand new Hobart Arena

Hobart Arena

The Hobart Arena is a 3,782-seat multi-purpose arena in Troy, Ohio. It officially opened with 10 sold out performances of Holiday on Ice in September 1950. The Hobart Arena was the first Ohio venue for Elvis Presley on November 24, 1956...

, in Troy, Ohio

Troy, Ohio

* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....

. As Manager of the Hobart Arena

Hobart Arena

, Wilson booked and promoted many of the leading acts of the 1950s, including, the first Ohio venue for Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....

on November 24, 1956, Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...

, Gene Autry

Gene Autry

Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...

, Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...

, Tex Ritter

Tex Ritter

Woodward Maurice Ritter , better known as Tex Ritter, was an American country music singer and movie actor popular from the mid-1930s into the 1960s, and the patriarch of the Ritter family in acting...

, Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie was a Norwegian figure skater and film star. She was a three-time Olympic Champion in Ladies Singles, a ten-time World Champion and a six-time European Champion . Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies figure skater...

, Victor Borge

Victor Borge

Victor Borge ,born Børge Rosenbaum, was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist, affectionately known as The Clown Prince of Denmark,The Unmelancholy Dane,and The Great Dane.-Early life and career:...

, Liberace

Liberace

Wladziu Valentino Liberace , best known simply as Liberace, was a famous American pianist and vocalist.In a career that spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television and endorsements, Liberace became world-renowned...

, Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo

Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo was a Canadian-American bandleader and violinist.Forming "The Royal Canadians" in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert, and Victor and other musicians from his hometown, Lombardo led the group to international success, billing themselves as creating "The Sweetest...

, and Patti Page

Patti Page

Clara Ann Fowler , known by her professional name Patti Page, is an American singer, one of the best-known female artists in traditional pop music. She was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, and has sold over 100 million records...

.

Starting in 1951 and for the next eight seasons, he owned and operated the Troy Bruins
Troy Bruins
The Troy Bruins were an International Hockey League team based in Troy, Ohio that played from 1951 to 1959 at the Hobart Arena. Notable players were Brian Kilrea and Larry King Kwong....

a team in the IHL.

Wilson spent the 1959-1960 hockey season, as General Manager of the Greensboro Generals

Greensboro Generals

The Greensboro Generals were an ECHL team that existed from 1999-2004. The franchise replaced the Greensboro Monarchs, who called the city home from 1989-1995....

in the EHL.

For three seasons, starting in 1960, Ken was the General Manager of the Omaha Knights

Omaha Knights

The Omaha Knights were a minor league professional ice hockey team from 1959 to 1975, based in Omaha, Nebraska at the Ak-Sar-Ben arena. The Knights were founded in 1959 as members of the International Hockey League...

in the IHL.

In 1963, Wilson moved to Toledo, Ohio

Toledo, Ohio

Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...

, where he owned and started the Toledo Blades

Toledo Blades

The Toledo Blades were the International Hockey League franchise of Toledo, Ohio from 1963 to 1970. The team name was changed to Hornets in 1970. The storied franchise left Toledo after the 1974–75 season for Lansing, Michigan, where they became the Lansing Lancers. The Blades were the Regular...

in the IHL. Over the next three seasons, he filled the roll of General Manager and as a mid season replacement in 1966, coach. In 1964, the Toledo Blades

Toledo Blades

won the Fred A. Huber Trophy

Fred A. Huber Trophy

The Fred A. Huber Trophy was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the North American ice hockey team with the most points during the regular season. The trophy for the league championship was originally named the J. P. McGuire Trophy, the owner of Detroit car dealership, and...

, awarded for "Most Points in the Regular Season' and the Turner Cup

Turner Cup

The Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League...

awarded to the Playoff Champions.

In 1966, Wilson was named Manager of the Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks (WHL)

The Vancouver Canucks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. Inaugurated in 1945 with the PCHL, they became a WHL team with the merger of the PCHL with the Western Canada Senior Hockey League in 1952...

in the Western Hockey League

Western Hockey League (minor pro)

. Bert Olmstead

Bert Olmstead

Murray Albert Olmstead is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Black Hawks and Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League . Olmstead began his career with the Black Hawks in 1949. In December 1950, he was traded to the...

was the Coach.

In 1967 the National Hockey League

National Hockey League

expanded and Bert Olmstead

Bert Olmstead

was hired as General Manager and Coach of Oakland Seals after the June 7, 1967 NHL player draft. Olmstead hired Wilson, with the plan of Wilson running a farm team the following season. The entire hockey staff was fired at the end of the first season.

Wilson was assistant manager of the Muskegon Mohawks

Muskegon Mohawks

The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....

in the IHL for two seasons, 1970–1971 and 1971-1972.

In 1972 Wilson was hired as General Manager of the Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...

franchise in the IHL. Feeling the franchise needed a new look and image, Wilson, changed the name to the Des Moines Capitols

Des Moines Capitols

The Des Moines Capitols, were a minor league professional ice hockey team in Des Moines, Iowa, playing at the Des Moines Ice Arena. They were members of the International Hockey League from 1972 to 1975, and previously known as the Des Moines Oak Leafs. In 1973, Danny Gloor won the Gary F. Longman...

. In 1973-1974, the Capitols won the Fred A. Huber Trophy

Fred A. Huber Trophy

and the Turner Cup

Turner Cup

. This was the only season the a Des Moines based IHL team finished first and won the playoffs. The Capitols disbanded in 1975.

Wilson went on to Manage the Flint Generals

Flint Generals

The Flint Generals were a professional ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan.They were a member of the International Hockey League and played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan....

in 1975-1976 and the Dayton Gems in 1976-1977, both in the IHL.

In 1981, Wilson formed a group of investors to put an IHL team in Peoria, Illinois

Peoria, Illinois

Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...

. The Peoria Prancers

Peoria Prancers

The Peoria Prancers were an ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.In 1983, Peoria Prancer Paul Fenton won the Ken McKenzie Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding American born rookie, playing in the International Hockey League....

, began play, with the 1982-1983 season. After years of good labor relations, the United Auto Workers

United Auto Workers

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers , is a labor union which represents workers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and formerly in Canada. Founded as part of the Congress of Industrial...

went on strike against Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...

on October 1, 1982. At the time 50% of Peorians were employed directly or indirectly by Caterpillar. The strike lasted the entire first hockey season. The Prancers were never able to recover from the effects of the strike and folded after the 1983-1984 season.

Wilson moved to Danville, Illinois

Danville, Illinois

Danville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is the principal city of the'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 32,467. It is the county seat of...

and took over full time duties for the Danville Dashers

Danville Dashers

The Danville Dashers were an ice hockey team in the Continental Hockey League. They played in Danville, Illinois, USA at the David S. Palmer Arena....

in the Continental Hockey League for the next two seasons. Ken retired form hockey following the 1985-1986 season.

Wilson now lives in Chandler, Arizona

Chandler, Arizona

-Demographics:As of the Census of 2010, there were 236,123 people, 86,924 households, and 60,212 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 73.3% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 8.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 21.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 8.3%...

with his wife of 54 years, Betty.

Team Awards

1963 - 1964 Toledo Blades

Toledo Blades

Fred A. Huber Trophy
Fred A. Huber Trophy
The Fred A. Huber Trophy was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the North American ice hockey team with the most points during the regular season. The trophy for the league championship was originally named the J. P. McGuire Trophy, the owner of Detroit car dealership, and...

Most Points in the Regular Season

1963 - 1964 Toledo Blades

Toledo Blades

Turner Cup
Turner Cup
The Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League...

Playoff Champions

1970 - 1971 Muskegon Mohawks

Muskegon Mohawks

The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....

Muskegon Mohawks

The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....

Des Moines Capitols

Danville Dashers

The Danville Dashers were an ice hockey team in the Continental Hockey League. They played in Danville, Illinois, USA at the David S. Palmer Arena....

Most Points Regular Season

1981 - 1982 Danville Dashers

Danville Dashers

The Danville Dashers were an ice hockey team in the Continental Hockey League. They played in Danville, Illinois, USA at the David S. Palmer Arena....

Wal-Mar Cup Playoff Champions

1983 - 1984 Danville Dashers

Danville Dashers

The Danville Dashers were an ice hockey team in the Continental Hockey League. They played in Danville, Illinois, USA at the David S. Palmer Arena....

Wal-Mar Cup Playoff Champions

Individual Player Awards

1955-1956 Troy Bruins

Troy Bruins

The Troy Bruins were an International Hockey League team based in Troy, Ohio that played from 1951 to 1959 at the Hobart Arena. Notable players were Brian Kilrea and Larry King Kwong....

, Bill Tibbs

Bill Tibbs

William "Bill" Tibbs is a former professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:He played most of his career in the minor leagues including stops with the Hershey Bears of the AHL, Troy Bruins of the IHL and the Omaha Knights of the USHL...

, James Norris Memorial Trophy IHL Least goals against during the regular season

1961-1962 Omaha Knights

Omaha Knights

, Glenn Ramsay

Glenn Ramsay

Glenn Ramsay is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 19 seasons in the IHL...

, James Norris Memorial Trophy IHL Least goals against during the regular season

1962-1963 Omaha Knights

Omaha Knights

, Glenn Ramsay

Glenn Ramsay

Glenn Ramsay is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 19 seasons in the IHL...

, James Norris Memorial Trophy IHL Least goals against during the regular season

1962-1963 Omaha Knights

Omaha Knights

, John Gravel

John Gravel

John Gravel is a former ice hockey defenceman who played 16 seasons of professional hockey from 1962 to 1978. Gravel played eight games in the World Hockey Association during 1972–73 WHA season with the Philadelphia Blazers.-Awards:...

, Rookie of the Year Trophy

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

The Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy, was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the most outstanding first year player as voted on by the league's coaches. Prior to 1968, the award was known as the Leading Rookie Award.-Winners:...

1963-1964 Toledo Blades

Toledo Blades

, Don Westbrook

Don Westbrook

Don Westbrook is a former wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League....

, Rookie of the Year Trophy

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

1964-1965 Toledo Blades

Toledo Blades

, Bob Thomas

Bob Thomas

Bob Thomas is a radio personality, actor, and writer. He was one of the top radio announcers in Knoxville, Tennessee for 25 years. During his tenure at radio station WIVK, he had the highest-rated midday radio show in the United States for over 16 years. As an actor, he has appeared in many...

, Rookie of the Year Trophy

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

1964-1965 Toledo Blades

Toledo Blades

, William "Chick" Chalmers, James Gatschene Memorial Trophy

James Gatschene Memorial Trophy

The James Gatschene Memorial Trophy was awarded annually to the International Hockey League player selected as most valuable through his display of outstanding playing ability and sportsmanlike conduct over the course of the regular season, as chosen by the league coaches.The trophy was first...

Outstanding Playing Ability and Sportsmanlike Conduct

1970-1971 Muskegon Mohawks

Muskegon Mohawks

The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....

, Darrel Knibbs, Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy

Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy

The Leo P. Lamoureax Memorial Trophy was awarded annually to the International Hockey League's leading point scorer. The trophy was donated by Melvin T. Ross, the manager of the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, in memoriam of Leo Lamoureux, coach of the Indianapolis Chiefs, who died during the...

Regular Season League's Leading Scorer

1971-1972 Muskegon Mohawks

Muskegon Mohawks

The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....

, Gary Ford

Gary Ford

Gary Ford is an English former footballer. He played on the right-wing.-Playing career:Ford started playing with small York based team, Leeman United and then turned professional with York City at 18-years-of-age in February 1979. He stayed at the club for the next eight years, racking up 435...

, Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy

Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy

Regular Season League's Leading Scorer

1971-1972 Muskegon Mohawks

Muskegon Mohawks

The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....

, Glenn "Chico" Resch, Rookie of the Year Trophy

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

1971-1972 Muskegon Mohawks

Muskegon Mohawks

The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968....

, Glenn "Chico" Resch, James Norris Memorial Trophy IHL Least goals against during the regular season
1972-1973 Des Moines Capitols

Des Moines Capitols

, Danny Gloor

Danny Gloor

Dan Harold Gloor was a retired professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League. He would play with the Vancouver Canucks.- External links :...

, Rookie of the Year Trophy

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

1973-1974 Des Moines Capitols

Des Moines Capitols

, Frank DeMarco, Rookie of the Year Trophy

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

1973-1974 Des Moines Capitols

Des Moines Capitols

, Pete Mara, Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy

Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy

Regular Season League's Leading Scorer

1973-1974 Des Moines Capitols

Des Moines Capitols

, Pete Mara, James Gatschene Memorial Trophy

James Gatschene Memorial Trophy

Outstanding Playing Ability and Sportsmanlike Conduct

1982-1983 Peoria Prancers

Peoria Prancers

, Paul Fenton

Paul Fenton (ice hockey)

Paul John Fenton is a retired American ice hockey forward.Fenton started his National Hockey League career with the Hartford Whalers in 1985. He would also play for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks...

, Ken McKenzie Trophy IHL Most Outstanding American Born Rookie

External links

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