Guelph Madhatters Star Eno Kraft

Carl "Eno" Kraft played with and against some of the greatest hockey players of his time. As a junior player with the Guelph Biltmore Madhatters, Kraft called Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert teammates. Kraft faced the likes of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Dave Keon while playing Junior "A."
At the time Guelph was a farm team of the New York Rangers. While many of his teammates made it to Broadway, Kraft had to settle for New Haven. Although there were stops in Philadelphia and Toledo, Kraft's most successful season playing center for the New Haven Blades of the the Eastern Hockey League.
The Elora, Ontario native remains in the New Haven area where he plays golf with a few of his former Blades.

Gordon Hemming and The Canadian Navy

This is the only photo onetime goaltender Gord Hemming has from his career in hockey. A hockey career that was too short. Way too short. In 1939-40 Hemming played for the River Vale Skeeters of the old Eastern League. Then it was off to the Washington Eagles and a EAHL Championship Title. So far, so good.
In the late Spring of 1941 it was off to the Canadian Navy, never to return to competitive hockey again. Hemming was discharged from the Navy September 13, 1945. Military career over, hockey career over and back to life in Mississauga, Ontario.

Art Dorrington: Hockey's Atlantic City Gamble

Before there was Willie O'Ree, there was Art Dorrington.
Everybody in Atlantic City knows Art Dorrington. The Truro, NS native has called the New Jersey shore community home for years. Dorrington broke into professional hockey with the Atlantic City Seagulls of the old Eastern Hockey League in 1950-51.
With his first game with the 'Gulls, Dorrington became the first Black hockey player to play professionally in the United States.
Dorrington registered three straight 30 goal seasons in the mid-1950s. Oddly enough, the three seasons came with three different teams (Johnstown Jets, Washington Lions, Philadelphia Ramblers). A badly broken leg put an end to an outstanding career on the ice.
In 1998 Dorrington founded "The Art Dorrington Ice Hockey Foundation" in Atlantic City. The foundation brings hockey to the youth of the community. The program continues to grow from it's original twelve participants.
Dorrington was also recently elected to the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.

Bob Fowler: An American in Canada

American born Bob Fowler tells an interesting story regarding his life in hockey. Born in Minnesota, Fowler headed north to Canada's Western Junior League in the late 1960s to follow his dream of becoming a professional hockey players. Fowler laced up the skates and excelled as a member of the Estevan Bruins. At the time, Estevan was part of the Boston Bruins minor league system,Fowler was the only American in the junior circuit at a time when many Americans his age were fighting in Vietnam. The Eagan, Minnesota resident routinely endured the "Draft Dodger" taunts from the pro-Canadian crowds. Fowler took a roster position from a some young Canadian hopeful.
However, his junior play never suffered and another oddity followed. Fowler was drafted in 1970 by the powerful Montreal Canadiens. He never had much of a chance to make the team.
According to Fowler, he was the first person signed for the 1972 US Olympic team, but a shoulder injury sidelined him. His replacement was a young player named Mark Howe.
Fowler put a few quality seasons in the IHL (Muskegon Mohawks, Fort Wayne Komets) and in the CHL (Fort Worth Texans, Fort Wort Wings) and in the semi-pro USHL (Sioux City Musketeers).

Hank Safarik ...or Chuck Lee

Take a moment to check out hockeydb.com and the players Hank Safarik and Chuck Lee. In the late 1940s and early 1950s saw Safarik playing for the Sands Point Tigers and New York Mets. As a member of the Mets, Safarik even travelled to Japan on a goodwill hockey tour. Safarik also played the occasional game with the highly-skilled New York Rovers of the Eastern Hockey League.
And then there is Chuck Lee. Mr. Lee played for Sands Point from 1943 to 1947. Although statistics are incomplete, it is apparent when Lee stops, Safarik begins. Coincidence? No, not at all. In the mid 1940s Safarik played under the name Lee in an attempt to save his eligibility at Princeton University.
A player who loved the game, Safarik (and likely others) got creative with their names to get just a little extra ice time.
(Photo: 1943 player card of "Chuck Lee" and photo from Safarik's freshman year at Princeton University)