Wikipedia:Today's featured article/November 24, 2011



Hod Stuart (1879–1907) was a Canadian professional ice hockey cover-point (now known as a defenceman) who played nine seasons for several teams in different leagues. He also played briefly for the Ottawa Rough Riders football team. With his brother Bruce, Stuart played in the first professional ice hockey league, the American-based International Professional Hockey League (IPHL), and was highly regarded. Frustrated with the violence associated with the IPHL, he left the league late in 1906 and returned to Canada, where in 1907 he helped the Montreal Wanderers win the Stanley Cup, the championship trophy for hockey. Two months later, he died in a diving accident. To raise money for his widow and children, the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association hosted an all-star game, the first of its kind to be played in any sport. Stuart became known for his ability to score goals while playing a defensive role and for remaining calm during matches that often turned violent. His efforts were acknowledged in 1945, when he became one of the first twelve players to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. (more...)

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