1. George Samuel Dudley was a Canadian ice hockey administrator.
184 Facts About George Dudley
1. 2.
George Dudley joined the Ontario Hockey Association executive in 1928, served as its president from 1934 to 1936, and as its treasurer from 1936 to 1960.
3.
George Dudley was elected to Canadian Amateur Hockey Association executive in 1936, served as its president from 1940 to 1942, as its secretary from 1945 to 1947, and as its secretary-manager from 1947 to 1960.
4.
George Dudley was secretary of the International Ice Hockey Association from 1945 to 1947, and was later vice-president of the International Ice Hockey Federation from 1957 to 1960.
5.
George Dudley was expected to become the next president of the IIHF before his death.
6.
George Dudley graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1917 then practiced law for 43 years as the town solicitor for Midland, Ontario.
7.
George Dudley introduced contracts for junior ice hockey players, as a means to obtain development payments from professional teams seeking new talent.
8.
George Dudley supported an alliance between the CAHA and the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States, and sought for international recognition of AHAUS as the governing body of ice hockey in the United States.
9.
George Dudley threatened to withdraw Canada from ice hockey at the Olympic Games if the International Olympic Committee did not accept the Canadian definition of amateur, and supported the IIHF hosting its own Ice Hockey World Championships separate from the Olympics.
10.
George Dudley facilitated the first exhibition tour by the Soviet Union national team in Canada, and oversaw ice hockey at the 1960 Winter Olympics on behalf of the IIHF.
11.
George Dudley was committed to implementing reforms for amateur hockey, believing that they were in the best interest of hockey in Canada.
12.
George Dudley was opposed to governments funding or controlling amateur sports associations, and supported the continuation of hockey and incorporating Royal Canadian Air Force teams into the CAHA as a morale boost during World War II.
13.
George Dudley was described by journalist Jack Sullivan as a staunch and shrewd hockey official and a problem solver.
14.
Journalist Scott Young stated George Dudley was a low-key figure at first who grew to prominence by his reputation as being a busy and able volunteer.
15.
Young further stated that George Dudley was a forward thinker, and had the ability to listen to a conversation and find a compromise without forcing anyone to change his mind.
16.
Young credited George Dudley for dealing with reforms to amateurism, and regulations on player salaries and transfers, which led to increased interest in hockey.
17.
George Dudley was inducted to the builder category of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958, and was posthumously inducted into the Midland Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
18.
George Dudley was made a life member of both the CAHA and OHA, received the Gold Stick award from the OHA in recognition of service to hockey in Ontario and the AHAUS citation award for service to amateur hockey in the United States.
19.
George Dudley was named to the selection committee for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and previously sat on the same committee for the Original Hockey Hall of Fame.
20.
George Samuel Dudley was born on April 19,1894, in Midland, Ontario.
21.
George Dudley's parents were William Thomas Dudley, and Sarah Agnes Dudley.
22.
George Dudley's father served 37 years on the local public utilities commission.
23.
George Dudley grew up playing minor ice hockey in Midland, but poor eyesight prevented him from a further athletic career.
24.
George Dudley attended Midland Secondary School, then graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1917.
25.
George Dudley entered into a law practice in a partnership with William Finlayson in 1917.
26.
George Dudley took over the firm upon Finlayson's death in 1943.
27.
George Dudley practiced law for 43 years as the town's solicitor until 1960.
28.
George Dudley first attended Ontario Hockey Association meetings in 1925.
29.
George Dudley was elected an executive member of the OHA in November 1928, and urged the OHA to reassert its jurisdiction over all hockey in Ontario and its intention to introduce associate memberships to regulate leagues under its domain.
30.
George Dudley was an early advocate of professional hockey coaches in the amateur game, and supported the reforms by W A Hewitt to allow them.
31.
At the OHA general meeting in 1930, George Dudley supported measures to bring attention to rules already in place which did not allow players with an active professional contract in the OHA.
32.
George Dudley successfully campaigned for the construction of a new arena in Midland in 1931, to replace the previous structure lost in 1926.
33.
George Dudley oversaw construction of the Midland Arena Gardens by autumn 1931 during the Great Depression, and it became the only artificial ice rink between Toronto and Winnipeg at the time.
34.
George Dudley served as president of the OHA from 1934 to 1936.
35.
George Dudley later introduced a motion at the OHA general meeting to adopt the same playing rules as the NHL.
36.
At the CAHA general meeting in 1935, George Dudley stated it was important to keep younger players amateurs as long as possible, and prevent professionalism at a young age which excluded them from the OHA.
37.
George Dudley felt that once a player reached age 21, he would have gained the knowledge to make an informed decision on his future.
38.
George Dudley felt that OHA needed to be offer financial opportunities competitive with what was available elsewhere.
39.
George Dudley was nominated by CAHA president E A Gilroy, to be part of a special committee dealing with the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada to discuss the definition of amateur, the cost of player registration cards, and the right for the CAHA to issue its own registration cards.
40.
In October 1935, George Dudley stated that the number of players leaving for the United States was compromising rosters in Canada, and that the rate of exodus was not sustainable.
41.
At the AAU of C general meeting in November 1935, George Dudley supported a defeated resolution to drop the word amateur from the AAU of C name.
42.
George Dudley stated that the CAHA should face realities, and that the Canadian public was sympathetic to compensating and supporting its Olympic ice hockey players while overseas.
43.
George Dudley stated that common sense had not prevailed in previous AAU of C discussions on the matter.
44.
George Dudley was elected second vice-president of the CAHA in April 1936.
45.
In May 1936, Fry decided against holding AAU of C vote on the matter, which led to George Dudley referring to Fry as "Somersault Bill".
46.
George Dudley functioned as OHA's treasurer until 1960, in addition to his roles with the CAHA.
47.
George Dudley reported an operating loss of C$5,662 in 1936, due to increased expenses and decreased revenue, after the OHA had experienced many years with a surplus.
48.
George Dudley was re-elected second vice-president of the CAHA at the general meeting in April 1937.
49.
In November 1937, George Dudley reported that the OHA had returned to a surplus, with an operating profit of $1,422, led by playoffs tickets for the Memorial Cup playoffs.
50.
George Dudley signed a five-year agreement with Maple Leaf Gardens to be the home rink for all Toronto-based teams in the OHA, except for the University of Toronto teams playing at Varsity Arena.
51.
George Dudley credited the outgoing president Cecil Duncan for replenishing CAHA financial reserves with more success that his predecessors.
52.
George Dudley was placed in charge of Eastern Canada playoffs, and appointed chairman of the CAHA resolutions committee.
53.
George Dudley felt that if a club team had a contract with a player, then it had a legal course of action to request remuneration by way of development fees if the player was signed to a professional team.
54.
George Dudley re-elected first vice-president of the CAHA, on April 12,1939.
55.
George Dudley succeeded Hardy as president of the CAHA on April 17,1940.
56.
George Dudley asked for provincial branches of the CAHA to assist in organizing a national "hockey night" to raise funds for patriotic services.
57.
George Dudley later abandoned plans to benefit the Canadian Red Cross, since it was against Red Cross policy to do promotional work.
58.
George Dudley sat on the committee to oversee relations and player movement with the NHL.
59.
George Dudley stated at the CAHA executive meeting in January 1941, called for more consistent interpretation of the playing rules with respect to physical play, which was one of the biggest problems facing amateur hockey in Canada.
60.
George Dudley stressed that supporting the International Ice Hockey Association was a means to protect the CAHA against the positions of other organizations.
61.
George Dudley arranged for bonuses to players from the playoffs profits based on the number of games played.
62.
George Dudley was granted a $1,000 honorarium for expenses for negotiating agreements with the NHL.
63.
George Dudley was re-elected president of the CAHA on April 16,1941.
64.
George Dudley reiterated that the CAHA would assist the Canadian government where possible, and would bend the agreement with the NHL to allow for younger players to be signed who were not subject to travel restrictions or military service.
65.
George Dudley advised those who wanted to be reinstated as amateurs due to travel restrictions, needed a release from the NHL.
66.
George Dudley estimated that registration in the CAHA was 25 per cent less than before the war, but stated that the Canadian government still supported the continuation of hockey as a morale boost.
67.
George Dudley urged for clubs in Canada to have special games to raise funds for war organizations, and for the CAHA branches to incorporate military teams into schedules where possible.
68.
George Dudley anticipated a greater demand by the NHL for junior players due to the war, and wished to co-operate.
69.
George Dudley defended the CAHA policy of reinstating former professionals as amateurs, despite it strengthening Royal Canadian Air Force teams compared to club teams during the wartime.
70.
George Dudley assumed the role of CAHA past-president, when he was succeeded by Frank Sargent as president in April 1942.
71.
George Dudley was hopeful that the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Navy would do the same.
72.
George Dudley suggested the adjustment in light of many players enlisting recently after becoming professional.
73.
George Dudley conceded that the deal was not as good as before, but it was adequate due to the war.
74.
George Dudley reported that despite the withdrawal due to a change in armed services policies, praise was given to the CAHA for its assistance.
75.
In November 1944, George Dudley mediated a dispute between the Quebec Senior Hockey League which began the season without CAHA approval, and the Ottawa District Hockey Association which denied permission for the Ottawa Commandos and a team from Hull, Quebec to play in the QSHL.
76.
George Dudley decided that no players would be suspended from the CAHA while talks were ongoing.
77.
George Dudley reached a settlement where a five per cent share of gate receipts from games in Ottawa and Hull were given to the Ottawa District Hockey Association.
78.
The CAHA arranged to give 25 per cent of its annual proceeds towards building a facility for the Original Hockey Hall of Fame, and George Dudley expected that amount to be $4,000 to $5,000.
79.
George Dudley stated that tryout contracts must be honoured, and junior-aged players on NHL reserve lists must be reinstated as amateurs to return to the CAHA.
80.
George Dudley participated in discussions to update the financial terms of the agreement.
81.
The NHL offered a flat payment of $20,000 to signing amateurs, which George Dudley felt it was too low.
82.
George Dudley co-operated with transfers to assist European ice hockey associations which struggled to find players after the war.
83.
George Dudley felt that any new organization formed should be predominantly Canadian to have more say in international hockey matters.
84.
The Ice Hockey World Championships resumed in 1947, but George Dudley had difficulties finding any team willing to represent Canada.
85.
George Dudley invited the champions and finalists of both the 1946 Allan Cup and 1946 Memorial Cup, but all four teams declined.
86.
George Dudley settled on the Edmonton Junior Canadians, who were the Western Canada junior finalists.
87.
The CAHA added the title of manager to the secretary's role in 1947, and George Dudley served as secretary-manager of the CAHA until 1960.
88.
George Dudley was named first vice-president of the IIHF and chairman of the North American delegation on July 12,1957, and facilitated the first exhibition tours for Soviet teams in Canada.
89.
George Dudley was named to the selection committee for two hockey halls of fame.
90.
In January 1948, the Original Hockey Hall of Fame increased its board of governors from 9 to 16 people to give better representation across North America, and George Dudley was chosen as a new board member.
91.
George Dudley was faced with a dilemma in choosing the Canadian representative ice hockey at the 1948 Winter Olympics.
92.
George Dudley felt obliged to offer the chance to the 1947 Allan Cup champions Montreal Royals, would not fit the IOC definition of amateur.
93.
George Dudley gave an ultimatum to the Canadian Olympic Association to accept the team put forth under the CAHA definition of amateur, or look to another organization for a team.
94.
George Dudley said there should be no "pussyfooting" on the matter, and reiterated that lost salaries by players was a valid concern.
95.
George Dudley remained adamant against the IOC definition and said, "We decided in Canada 11 years ago that there is too much hypocrisy about amateurism and we've seen no reason to change our view".
96.
Since hockey would be the most profitable event at the Olympics, George Dudley felt that the Swiss organizing committee would agree to anything as long as the IOC approved.
97.
George Dudley sought reinforcements to strengthen the team before they sailed to Europe in January 1948, and stated the CAHA would pay to fly players to Switzerland if necessary.
98.
Eight players were eventually added to the team, and George Dudley felt they would adequately represent Canada, even if they might not be as strong as previous Canadian national teams.
99.
George Dudley again stated that the IIHF should host its own World Championships separate from the Olympics if differences could not be resolved.
100.
George Dudley was assured by the IIHF that such a tournament could be arranged on 48 hours' notice.
101.
George Dudley felt that the winner would have been recognized as a world champion, whether or not the IOC recognized it.
102.
George Dudley stated that the 1948 Olympic hockey tournament was played in "ridiculous weather conditions" with poor refereeing.
103.
George Dudley advocated to only attended international events on artificial ice, which would showcase Canada's true abilities.
104.
George Dudley felt that the IOC should be composed of members appointed by national sports bodies who would be more knowledgeable of sport, instead of a person who was disconnected from the game appointing his or her own replacement.
105.
George Dudley was opposed the use of tax dollars to fund sports, on the premise that the government would be in control of the sports associations, instead of those persons directly involved in the sport.
106.
George Dudley felt that politicians would inevitably use sport for political advantage.
107.
George Dudley stated that if the player refused to report to an amateur club chosen by the professional club, he could then be offered a professional contract.
108.
George Dudley opted to participate in discussions to minimize any effects of hockey on education.
109.
George Dudley recommended an inquiry into why a group of six players wanted to transfer from an existing new to a new team, along with the coach.
110.
In June 1951, George Dudley confirmed that the Newfoundland Amateur Hockey Association wanted to join the CAHA as its own branch, instead of part of the Maritime Amateur Hockey Association.
111.
George Dudley referred to the IOC as dictatorial and undemocratic, and expected the IIHF to discuss having its own 1952 Ice Hockey World Championships instead.
112.
George Dudley further stated that the Olympics would be a financial failure without the inclusion of hockey.
113.
George Dudley supported a resolution at the 1952 CAHA general meeting which prevented the eastward transfer of players, to prevent rosters in Western Canada from being depleted by clubs in the more populated areas of Eastern Canada.
114.
George Dudley wanted to have protective measures in place, before renegotiating the professional-amateur agreement.
115.
George Dudley published newspaper advertisements on behalf of the CAHA to notify of the decision.
116.
George Dudley was confident that issues could be resolved at the 1953 CAHA general meeting.
117.
George Dudley wanted the QAHA to return without any punitive damages, but with assurance there would be no recurrence of the infraction.
118.
The QAHA was reinstated, and George Dudley urged for the CAHA executive to follow the rules consistently when it came to player replacements in playoffs, instead of making arbitrary decisions.
119.
The CAHA planned on returning to the Ice Hockey World Championships in 1954, but George Dudley had difficulties again in finding a team willing to represent Canada.
120.
George Dudley eventually arranged for the East York Lyndhursts from a senior B-level league in Ontario to attend the 1954 Ice Hockey World Championships, after several A-level senior teams declined due to the financial strain of travel, and players being away from work.
121.
George Dudley said that choosing the national representative was an annual problem, and the cost of sending A-level teams was getting prohibitive.
122.
George Dudley arranged an exhibition schedule in Europe to acclimatize the team to the international rules of play, and raise funds from tickets to exhibition games to cover travel costs.
123.
The CAHA and George Dudley were highly criticized by the media in Canada for sending a B-level senior team to international competition.
124.
George Dudley invited suggestions on how to better form the team, and reiterated the prohibitive costs of sending A-level teams.
125.
George Dudley stated that the timing of the world championships coincided with playoffs in Canada, and that no A-level team would agree to leave at a critical team in their season.
126.
George Dudley said that the profits from the Allan Cup and Memorial Cup playoffs would not sustain the annual cost of flying a team to Europe to shorten the time away from playing in Canada.
127.
George Dudley considered inviting the Soviet Union national ice hockey team to tour Canada as a goodwill gesture, and since increased interest in seeing the Soviet team play would make it profitable.
128.
In July 1954, George Dudley was confident the criticism of choosing the national team would end, after he announced that the 1954 Allan Cup champion Penticton Vees were chosen to represent Canada at the 1955 Ice Hockey World Championships.
129.
George Dudley predicted that Penticton would win regain the championship for Canada, and that there would be more pressure on the Soviet team than Canada's team.
130.
George Dudley said the request came too late to change existing schedules to accommodate the request.
131.
At the CAHA general meeting in May 1955, George Dudley proposed regulations to include television broadcasts rights in addition to the radio broadcast fees the CAHA collects for amateur games.
132.
George Dudley proposed a 10 cent-per-ticket fee for all games in Canada towards the national team's fund.
133.
George Dudley reported interest by private company to sponsor the team, and that the CAHA's insurance company proposed to sponsor the printing of CAHA rule books.
134.
George Dudley said he was not enthusiastic about sending teams to international events, but felt obligated to send a team to the upcoming Winter Olympics.
135.
The Soviets invited Canada to play an exhibition series in Moscow after the Olympics, and George Dudley replied that the Soviet Union would need to pay more of Canada's expenses to make it worthwhile.
136.
George Dudley again mentioned the possibility of hosting the Soviet national team on a tour of Canada.
137.
At the May 1956 general meeting of the CAHA, George Dudley stated that development fees received from the NHL amounted to $27,000 in the past season.
138.
George Dudley encouraged the provincial branches to set aside their differences in the playing rules, as per agreements with the NHL to use similar rules as the professionals.
139.
George Dudley felt it was important that Canadians agreed the best possible team was being sent, and that the CAHA should negotiate the best financial arrangements to play abroad.
140.
George Dudley believed an all-star team from senior teams would give the best results at the Olympics and the World Championships, but funding was an issue.
141.
The CAHA sought $75,000 for training and travel costs for a full-time national team, which George Dudley hoped a private sector sponsorship would cover.
142.
In September 1956, George Dudley stated that the offer by a private company was withdrawn.
143.
George Dudley stated in October 1956, that fundraising was delayed due to searching for a sponsor.
144.
George Dudley made the announcement in November 1956, that Canada would not send its national team to the 1957 Ice Hockey World Championships due to recent changes in international affairs.
145.
George Dudley attended the 1957 IIHF summer congress and made arrangements for a Soviet national team tour of Canada during November and December 1957.
146.
George Dudley announced the tour would be seven games played under international rules, and only include cities in Ontario and Quebec due to limits on the Soviet's available travel time.
147.
George Dudley expected a sold-out crowd at Maple Leaf Gardens for the first game of the tour, and thought the Soviet team might be stronger than its Olympic version.
148.
George Dudley he felt the Soviets displayed a different way in which hockey could be played scientifically with sportsmanship.
149.
George Dudley wanted to see games in Western Canada on future tours, and mentioned the possibility of inviting Swedish or Czechoslovakian teams.
150.
George Dudley felt the event was good for international hockey, despite existing political differences.
151.
The CAHA chose to participate in the 1958 Ice Hockey World Championships, and George Dudley announced that the 1957 Allan Cup champions Whitby Dunlops would represent Canada and play a European exhibition schedule.
152.
George Dudley advocated for using the profits from the Soviet tour of Canada to send team on a reciprocal tour of the Soviet Union.
153.
The 1958 Allan Cup finalists Kelowna Packers were chosen for the five-game tour, and George Dudley arranged for three subsequent games in Sweden.
154.
George Dudley hoped that the Kelowna tour would promote future cultural exchanges with Eastern Europe.
155.
George Dudley reported in May 1958, that the CAHA and NHL were close to signing a new deal.
156.
George Dudley announced a new agreement in January 1959, in which the NHL contribution increased to $40,000 from $27,000.
157.
George Dudley's response was to advise the team to use discretion in future games and to avoid incidents.
158.
George Dudley scheduled the May 1959 CAHA general meeting to be hosted in Detroit, in conjunction with the AHAUS general meeting.
159.
George Dudley said that no CAHA branch offered to host delegates, which would typically cost $1,000.
160.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen had been chosen to represent Canada at the upcoming Olympics, and George Dudley announced that CAHA would pay for uniforms, and traveling expenses.
161.
George Dudley arranged a tour of Canada in January and February 1960 for the Russian Selects, an all-star team of players from clubs in Moscow.
162.
George Dudley stated the CAHA would decide at the upcoming general meeting whether to send a team on a reciprocal tour of Russia next winter.
163.
George Dudley arranged a Japan men's national team tour in Canada prior to the Olympics.
164.
George Dudley oversaw ice hockey at the 1960 Winter Olympics on behalf of the IIHF.
165.
George Dudley arranged a qualification round to determine whether the West Germany or East Germany national team would play in the Olympic tournament, hosted at the Blyth Arena at the Squaw Valley Ski Resort in California.
166.
George Dudley hoped for the national consciousness of Canada to awake before the 1964 games, to avoid similar disappointments of not winning the gold medal in hockey.
167.
In May 1960, George Dudley wished to see a new method for choosing the Canadian national team which had less of an impact on domestic leagues, but produced results.
168.
George Dudley stated of the Canadian roster that, "Ours are the best 17 after 500 have gone to supply the needs to the pro leagues in Canada and the United States, and at the Olympics another 500 are eliminated because they are reinstated professionals".
169.
George Dudley became a member of Caledonian Lodge 249, the local Masonic lodge in 1915.
170.
George Dudley served 49 years on the Simcoe East riding association, and was affiliated with the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
171.
George Dudley was a member of St Paul's United Church in Midland, a member of the Orange Order in Canada, and chairman of the local Victory Bond committee in 1945.
172.
George Dudley had a stroke on May 6,1960, and died on May 8, at St Andrew's hospital in Midland.
173.
George Dudley was interred in the family plot with his parents at Lakeview Cemetery in Midland.
174.
At the time of his death, George Dudley was expected to become the next president of the IIHF.
175.
George Dudley was made a life member of the CAHA in November 1944.
176.
George Dudley received the OHA Gold Stick award in 1949, in recognition of service to hockey in Ontario.
177.
George Dudley received the AHAUS citation award in 1950 for service to amateur hockey in the United States.
178.
Dudley and W A Hewitt were honoured with a dinner by the OHA in December 1950, and Dudley received a silver tea service in recognition of 26 years of service to the OHA.
179.
George Dudley was made a life member of the OHA in 1952.
180.
George Dudley was inducted to the builder category of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.
181.
George Dudley was posthumously inducted into the Midland Sports Hall of Fame on October 12,1996.
182.
George Dudley's death led to multiple tributes from the hockey community.
183.
Young further stated that George Dudley was a forward thinker, a man who always had a solution to problems in hockey, and had the ability to listen to a conversation and find a compromise without forcing anyone to change his mind.
184.
Young credited George Dudley for dealing with reforms to amateurism, and regulations on player salaries and transfers, which led to increased interest in hockey.