Allan Davidson
Encyclopedia
Allan McLean "Scotty" Davidson (March 6, 1892 – June 16, 1915) was a Canadian ice hockey
player and soldier. He was a standout offensive player in the formative years of hockey history, leading his Kingston junior team to two Ontario Hockey Association championships in 1910 and 1911. He moved to Calgary for the 1911–12 season where he led the Calgary Athletics senior team to the Alberta provincial championship. Davidson turned professional in 1912 and was among the National Hockey Association
's leading scorers the following two seasons with the Toronto Blueshirts
. He captained Toronto to the Stanley Cup
championship in 1914, and was considered the best winger
in the game.
Upon the outbreak of the First World War
in 1914, Davidson volunteered with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
. He was the first professional hockey player to volunteer to do so. He was killed in action
while fighting in Belgium in 1915. Hailed as a hero by his peers, Davidson was said to have been killed after refusing to retreat during a battle. He is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial
. Davidson was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1950.
, and learned the game through his coach, James T. Sutherland
. He first played in the Ontario Hockey Association
(OHA) senior division in 1908–09 where, as a 17-year-old, he led the league with eight goals in four games. He joined the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHA junior division in 1909 where he emerged as a top player in the league. He was known for his shooting ability and considered a strong backchecker
. Davidson served as team captain, and led the Frontenacs to OHA junior titles in 1910 and 1911. He was a standout in the 1911 championship, leading his team back from a 3–0 deficit to win the game.
After leaving the junior game, Davidson moved to Alberta where he played senior hockey for the Calgary Athletics. He scored three goals in four regular season games, and added another three goals in three playoff games. The Athletics won the provincial championship, but were defeated by the Winnipeg Victorias
for the Allan Cup
. He returned to Ontario for the 1912–13 season when he was signed by the Toronto Blueshirts
of the National Hockey Association
(NHA). Davidson made his professional debut with Toronto in their season-opening loss to the Montreal Canadiens
, and finished his rookie season with 19 goals in 20 games.
The Blueshirts named him team captain for the 1913–14 season
, and he responded by finishing in the top ten in NHA goals with 23, and second in assists with 13. Tied atop the standings with the Montreal Canadiens
after the regular season, the Blueshirts faced the Canadiens in a two-game, total-goal series for both the O'Brien Trophy
, the NHA championship, and control of the Stanley Cup
, the Canadian championship. Following a 2–0 loss at Montreal, Davidson played a key role in Toronto's 6–0 victory in the return match. He scored two goals, including Toronto's third which clinched the championship. The title represented the first time a team from Toronto won the Stanley Cup.
The Blueshirts then immediately faced the Victoria Aristocrats of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
in what was considered an unofficial challenge for the Stanley Cup. Toronto emerged with three consecutive victories to win the series that was on occasion violent – Davidson was involved in a fight late in the third game that touched off a melee involving most players for both teams.
broke out in 1914, Davidson was the first professional hockey player to volunteer with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
. He served with the Eastern Ontario Regiment of the Canadian Infantry, and attained the rank of lance-corporal. Davidson earned the respect of his fellow soldiers who wrote of his bravery and fearlessness. Always willing to aid a comrade, he once rescued a wounded officer while fighting in France, and one account of his death asserts that he was shot in the back and killed while attempting to carry an injured soldier to safety. Another held that he died while on a bombing raid after refusing to retreat until he had spent his ammunition. He was said to have used his final grenade to kill a German officer before being killed himself.
named him the top right wing when it determined its all-star team of the game's greatest players, an opinion shared by his former junior coach, who stated that he was "as good as any player to ever patrol a wing position".
Davidson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1950, and is honoured by the International Hockey Hall of Fame
. The Kingston Frontenacs erected a monument to his his memory shortly after his death. He was 24 years old when he was killed, and his name is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial
in France.
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...
player and soldier. He was a standout offensive player in the formative years of hockey history, leading his Kingston junior team to two Ontario Hockey Association championships in 1910 and 1911. He moved to Calgary for the 1911–12 season where he led the Calgary Athletics senior team to the Alberta provincial championship. Davidson turned professional in 1912 and was among the National Hockey Association
National Hockey Association
The National Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is the direct predecessor organization to today's National Hockey League...
's leading scorers the following two seasons with the Toronto Blueshirts
Toronto Blueshirts
The Toronto Hockey Club, known as the Torontos and the Toronto Blue Shirts were a professional National Hockey Association team that played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
. He captained Toronto to the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship in 1914, and was considered the best winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
in the game.
Upon the outbreak of the First World War
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...
in 1914, Davidson volunteered with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
. He was the first professional hockey player to volunteer to do so. He was killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
while fighting in Belgium in 1915. Hailed as a hero by his peers, Davidson was said to have been killed after refusing to retreat during a battle. He is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a memorial site in France dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. It also serves as the place of commemoration for First World War Canadian soldiers killed or presumed dead in France who have no known...
. Davidson was posthumously 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 1950.
Playing career
Davidson was born and raised in Kingston, OntarioKingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, and learned the game through his coach, James T. Sutherland
James T. Sutherland
James Thomas Sutherland was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, administrator, and developer. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame....
. He first played in the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
(OHA) senior division in 1908–09 where, as a 17-year-old, he led the league with eight goals in four games. He joined the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHA junior division in 1909 where he emerged as a top player in the league. He was known for his shooting ability and considered a strong backchecker
Checking (ice hockey)
Checking in ice hockey is any one of a number of defensive techniques. It is usually not a penalty.- Types :There are various types of checking:...
. Davidson served as team captain, and led the Frontenacs to OHA junior titles in 1910 and 1911. He was a standout in the 1911 championship, leading his team back from a 3–0 deficit to win the game.
After leaving the junior game, Davidson moved to Alberta where he played senior hockey for the Calgary Athletics. He scored three goals in four regular season games, and added another three goals in three playoff games. The Athletics won the provincial championship, but were defeated by the Winnipeg Victorias
Winnipeg Victorias
The Winnipeg Victorias were a former amateur senior-level men's amateur ice hockey team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, organized in 1889. They played in the Manitoba Hockey Association in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
for the Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
. He returned to Ontario for the 1912–13 season when he was signed by the Toronto Blueshirts
Toronto Blueshirts
The Toronto Hockey Club, known as the Torontos and the Toronto Blue Shirts were a professional National Hockey Association team that played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
of the National Hockey Association
National Hockey Association
The National Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is the direct predecessor organization to today's National Hockey League...
(NHA). Davidson made his professional debut with Toronto in their season-opening loss to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, and finished his rookie season with 19 goals in 20 games.
The Blueshirts named him team captain for the 1913–14 season
1913–14 NHA season
The 1913–14 NHA season was the fifth season of the National Hockey Association . At the end of the regular season, a tie for first place necessitated a playoff to determine the championship. The Toronto Hockey Club defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6–2 in a two-game, total-goals playoff...
, and he responded by finishing in the top ten in NHA goals with 23, and second in assists with 13. Tied atop the standings with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
after the regular season, the Blueshirts faced the Canadiens in a two-game, total-goal series for both the O'Brien Trophy
O'Brien Trophy
The O'Brien Trophy, or O'Brien Cup, as labelled on the trophy itself, is a retired trophy that was awarded in the National Hockey Association and the National Hockey League ice hockey leagues of North America from 1910 to 1950. It was originally donated to the NHA by Canadian Senator M.J....
, the NHA championship, and control of the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
, the Canadian championship. Following a 2–0 loss at Montreal, Davidson played a key role in Toronto's 6–0 victory in the return match. He scored two goals, including Toronto's third which clinched the championship. The title represented the first time a team from Toronto won the Stanley Cup.
The Blueshirts then immediately faced the Victoria Aristocrats of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
Pacific Coast Hockey Association
The Pacific Coast Hockey Association was a professional men's ice hockey league in western Canada and the western United States, which operated from 1911 to 1924 when it then merged with the Western Canada Hockey League...
in what was considered an unofficial challenge for the Stanley Cup. Toronto emerged with three consecutive victories to win the series that was on occasion violent – Davidson was involved in a fight late in the third game that touched off a melee involving most players for both teams.
Military career
When World War IWorld 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...
broke out in 1914, Davidson was the first professional hockey player to volunteer with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
. He served with the Eastern Ontario Regiment of the Canadian Infantry, and attained the rank of lance-corporal. Davidson earned the respect of his fellow soldiers who wrote of his bravery and fearlessness. Always willing to aid a comrade, he once rescued a wounded officer while fighting in France, and one account of his death asserts that he was shot in the back and killed while attempting to carry an injured soldier to safety. Another held that he died while on a bombing raid after refusing to retreat until he had spent his ammunition. He was said to have used his final grenade to kill a German officer before being killed himself.
Legacy
By the time he left hockey to fight in the war, Davidson was considered one of the top all-around players in the NHA. Noted for his skating ability, it was said that he could skate faster backwards than most players could forwards. In 1925, Maclean'sMaclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
named him the top right wing when it determined its all-star team of the game's greatest players, an opinion shared by his former junior coach, who stated that he was "as good as any player to ever patrol a wing position".
Davidson 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 1950, and is honoured by the International Hockey Hall of Fame
International Hockey Hall of Fame
The International Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, on the Kingston Memorial Centre grounds features many exhibits within their museum about the history of ice hockey.-Historic Hockey Series:...
. The Kingston Frontenacs erected a monument to his his memory shortly after his death. He was 24 years old when he was killed, and his name is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a memorial site in France dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. It also serves as the place of commemoration for First World War Canadian soldiers killed or presumed dead in France who have no known...
in France.
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 | ||
| 1908–09 | Kingston 14th Regiment | OHA-Sr Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the... |
4 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1909–10 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHA-Jr | ||||||||||||
| 1910–11 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHA-Jr | ||||||||||||
| 1911–12 | Calgary Athletics | SASHL | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | |||
| 1912–13 | Toronto Blueshirts Toronto Blueshirts The Toronto Hockey Club, known as the Torontos and the Toronto Blue Shirts were a professional National Hockey Association team that played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada... |
NHA National Hockey Association The National Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is the direct predecessor organization to today's National Hockey League... |
20 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 69 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1913–14 1913–14 NHA season The 1913–14 NHA season was the fifth season of the National Hockey Association . At the end of the regular season, a tie for first place necessitated a playoff to determine the championship. The Toronto Hockey Club defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6–2 in a two-game, total-goals playoff... |
Toronto Blueshirts | NHA | 20 | 23 | 13 | 36 | 64 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 18 | ||
| NHA totals | 40 | 42 | 13 | 55 | 133 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 18 | ||||