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{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player and executive}}
{{good article}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2012}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| image = Red Dutton, 1944.jpg
| name = Red Dutton<br />{{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Canada|CM]]}}
| halloffame = 1958
| image = Red Dutton, Calgary Tigers.jpg
| caption = Dutton with the [[Calgary Tigers]], {{c.|1921}}
| image_size = 230px
| image_size = 230px
| birth_date = {{birth date|1897|7|23|mf=y}}
| caption = Dutton (left front) presents the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] to [[Gus Bodnar]] as [[NHL president]] in 1944
| birth_place = [[Russell, Manitoba]], Canada
| position = [[Defenceman|Defence]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|3|15|1897|7|23|mf=y}}
| shoots = Right
| death_place = [[Calgary]], Alberta, Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 185
| weight_lb = 185
| position = [[Defenceman|Defence]]
| shoots = Right
| played_for = [[Calgary Tigers]]<br>[[Montreal Maroons]]<br>[[New York Americans]]
| played_for = [[Calgary Tigers]]<br>[[Montreal Maroons]]<br>[[New York Americans]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1897|7|23|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Russell, Manitoba|Russell]], [[Manitoba]], Canada
| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|3|15|1897|7|23|mf=y}}
| death_place = [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], Canada
| career_start = 1921
| career_start = 1921
| career_end = 1936
| career_end = 1936
| module=
| halloffame = 1958
{{Infobox officeholder|embed=yes
| order = 2nd [[NHL commissioner|President of the National Hockey League]]
| term_start = 1943
| term_end = 1946
| predecessor = [[Frank Calder]]
| successor = [[Clarence Campbell]]
}}
}}
}}
'''Norman Alexander Dutton''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Canada|CM]]}} (July 23, 1897 – March 15, 1987) was a [[Canadians|Canadian]] [[ice hockey]] player, coach and executive. Commonly known as Red Dutton, and earlier by the nickname "Mervyn", he played for the [[Calgary Tigers]] of the [[Western Canada Hockey League]] (WCHL) and the [[Montreal Maroons]] and [[New York Americans]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). A rugged and physical [[defenceman (ice hockey)|defenceman]], Dutton often led his team in [[penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]], won the WCHL championship in 1924 as a member of the Tigers and was twice named a WCHL All-Star.
'''Norman Alexander Dutton''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Canada|CM]]}} (July 23, 1897 – March 15, 1987) was a Canadian [[ice hockey]] player, coach and executive. Commonly known as '''Red Dutton''', and earlier by the nickname "Mervyn", he played for the [[Calgary Tigers]] of the [[Western Canada Hockey League]] (WCHL) and the [[Montreal Maroons]] and [[New York Americans]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). A rugged and physical [[defenceman (ice hockey)|defenceman]], Dutton often led his team in [[penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]], won the WCHL championship in 1924 as a member of the Tigers and was twice named a WCHL All-Star.

Dutton coached and managed the Americans, and later purchased the team before suspending operations in 1942 due to World War II. He served as the second [[NHL Commissioner|president]] of the NHL between 1943 and 1946 before resigning the position after the NHL's owners reneged on a promise to allow the Americans to resume operations following the war. He served as a [[Stanley Cup]] trustee for 37 years but otherwise limited his involvement with the NHL following the Americans' demise. He was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1958.


A successful businessman, Dutton operated a construction company that built Calgary's [[McMahon Stadium]] in 1960 and he served for a time as the president of the [[Calgary Stampeders]] football club and later the [[Calgary Exhibition and Stampede]]. He was invested as a member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1981 and is honoured by both the [[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame|Manitoba Hockey]] and [[Alberta Sports Hall of Fame|Alberta Sports]] Halls of Fame. He was posthumously awarded the [[Lester Patrick Trophy]] in 1993 in recognition of his contributions to the game of hockey in the United States.
Dutton coached and managed the Americans and later purchased the team before suspending operations in 1942 due to World War II. He served as the second [[NHL Commissioner|president]] of the NHL between 1943 and 1946 before resigning the position after the NHL's owners reneged on a promise to allow the Americans to resume operations following the war. He served as a [[Stanley Cup]] trustee for 37 years but otherwise limited his involvement with the NHL following the Americans' demise. He was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1958.


He was the last surviving former player of the [[Calgary Tigers]].
A successful businessman, Dutton operated a construction company that built Calgary's [[McMahon Stadium]] in 1960 and he served for a time as the president of the [[Calgary Stampeders]] football club and later the [[Calgary Exhibition and Stampede]]. He was invested as a member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1981 and is honoured by both the [[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame|Manitoba Hockey]] and [[Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum|Alberta Sports]] Halls of Fame. He was posthumously awarded the [[Lester Patrick Trophy]] in 1993 in recognition of his contributions to the game of hockey in the United States.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Dutton was born in [[Russell, Manitoba]] on July 23, 1897.<ref name="mhhof"/><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Calgary Herald |date=June 15, 1986 |title=Dutton glances back over travelled roads |page=17 |last=Keyser |first=Tom |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g3dkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ln8NAAAAIBAJ&dq=red-dutton&pg=5615%2C2729543 |accessdate=July 4, 2012}}</ref><!--<ref name="BlazeMag">{{cite journal |last=Shea |first=Kevin |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton: Calgary's early hockey hero |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2004 (Playoffs round 4) |page=23}}</ref>--> His father, Bill, was a successful contractor who helped build Canada's transcontinental railway system,<ref name="MGBillDutton">{{cite news |last=De Geer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XYMtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cZkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7287,2214942 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=December 12, 1953 |accessdate=November 27, 2010 |page=12}}</ref> and the younger Dutton often helped his father at his work when he was a boy.<ref name="OCStampede">{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Andy |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_9IxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b-QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3710%2C2504944 |title=Calgary's incomparable Stampede gets a boss man to match |work=Ottawa Citizen |pages=2–3, 28}}</ref> He had at least two elder brothers,<ref name="RLPColeman">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Jim |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FpNVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GEANAAAAIBAJ&pg=3412,1543299 |title=Jim Coleman's column for July 23 |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=July 23, 1982 |accessdate=November 27, 2010 |page=A12}}</ref> and a sister.<ref name="HeraldObit">{{cite news |last=Slade |first=Daryl |title=Rugged Hall of Famer never attained his goal of winning Stanley Cup |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 16, 1987 |page=E1}}</ref>
Dutton was born in [[Russell, Manitoba]] on July 23, 1897.<ref name="mhhof"/><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Calgary Herald |date=June 15, 1986 |title=Dutton glances back over travelled roads |page=17 |last=Keyser |first=Tom |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g3dkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ln8NAAAAIBAJ&dq=red-dutton&pg=5615%2C2729543 |access-date=July 4, 2012}}</ref><!--<ref name="BlazeMag">{{cite journal |last=Shea |first=Kevin |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton: Calgary's early hockey hero |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2004 |page=23}}</ref>--> His father, Bill, was a successful contractor who helped build Canada's transcontinental railway system,<ref name="MGBillDutton">{{cite news |last=De Geer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XYMtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cZkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7287,2214942 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=December 12, 1953 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |page=12}}</ref> and the younger Dutton often helped his father at his work when he was a boy.<ref name="OCStampede">{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Andy |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_9IxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b-QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3710%2C2504944 |title=Calgary's incomparable Stampede gets a boss man to match |work=Ottawa Citizen |pages=2–3, 28}}</ref> He had at least two elder brothers,<ref name="RLPColeman">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Jim |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FpNVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GEANAAAAIBAJ&pg=3412,1543299 |title=Jim Coleman's column for July 23 |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=July 23, 1982 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |page=A12}}</ref> and a sister.<ref name="HeraldObit">{{cite news |last=Slade |first=Daryl |title=Rugged Hall of Famer never attained his goal of winning Stanley Cup |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 16, 1987 |page=E1}}</ref>


His given name was Norman Alexander Dutton, but his birth names were quickly ignored. A family friend of the Duttons refused to call him Norman as the name had a negative connotation for her, so she instead called him "Mervyn", a name that stuck.<ref name="CHStampede1960">{{cite news |title=Stampede honor highlights career |work=Calgary Herald |date=July 11, 1960 |pages=19, 25}}</ref> His friends called him "Red" after the colour of his hair, and to most, he was known as Mervyn "Red" Dutton.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers">{{cite book |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |title=Players: The ultimate A–Z guide of everyone who has ever played in the NHL |publisher=Doubleday Canada |year=2003 |location=Toronto |isbn=0-385-25999-9 |pages=223–224}}</ref>
His given name was Norman Alexander Dutton, but his birth names were quickly ignored. A family friend of the Duttons refused to call him Norman as the name had a negative connotation for her, so she instead called him "Mervyn", a name that stuck.<ref name="CHStampede1960">{{cite news |title=Stampede honor highlights career |work=Calgary Herald |date=July 11, 1960 |pages=19, 25}}</ref> His friends called him "Red" after the colour of his hair, and to most, he was known as Mervyn "Red" Dutton.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers">{{cite book |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |title=Players: The ultimate A–Z guide of everyone who has ever played in the NHL |publisher=Doubleday Canada |year=2003 |location=Toronto |isbn=0-385-25999-9 |pages=223–224}}</ref>


Dutton attended school at [[St. John's College, University of Manitoba|St. John's College]] in [[Winnipeg]].<ref name="LOHBio">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton biography |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |accessdate=November 26, 2010}}</ref> He left school in 1915 to volunteer with the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]] (CEF) in [[World War I]] and served with the [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]].<ref name="MGBillDutton" /> He lied about his birth date on his CEF enlistment papers as he was not yet 18, and served for four years.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> Dutton fought in the [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]] in 1917 where he suffered a [[shrapnel shell|shrapnel]] wound to his leg serious enough that doctors pressed for amputation.<ref name="BlazeMag">{{cite journal |last=Shea |first=Kevin |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton: Calgary's early hockey hero |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2004 (Playoffs round 4) |page=23}}</ref> Dutton refused and spent the following 18 months working to recover full use of his leg. He played hockey almost constantly to regain strength, at one point playing in seven different Winnipeg leagues at the same time.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" />
Dutton attended school at [[St. John's College, University of Manitoba|St. John's College]] in [[Winnipeg]].<ref name="LOHBio">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton biography |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref> He left school in 1915 to volunteer with the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]] (CEF) in [[World War I]] and served with the [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]].<ref name="MGBillDutton" /> He lied about his birth date on his CEF enlistment papers as he was not yet 18, and served for four years.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> Dutton fought in the [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]] in 1917 where he suffered a [[shrapnel shell|shrapnel]] wound to his leg serious enough that doctors pressed for amputation.<ref name="BlazeMag">{{cite journal |last=Shea |first=Kevin |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton: Calgary's early hockey hero |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2004 |page=23}}</ref> Dutton refused and spent the following 18 months working to recover full use of his leg. He played hockey almost constantly to regain strength, at one point playing in seven different Winnipeg leagues at the same time.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" />


Following the war, Dutton sought to build his own contracting business. However, an [[depression (economics)|economic depression]] in 1920 forced its closure. He then worked in a packing plant in Winnipeg that also ceased operations. Penniless, with only his pride preventing him from asking his father for help, he was met by the owner of a hockey team in [[Calgary]] who had sought him out. Dutton was offered $2,500 to play in the Alberta city.<ref name="OCStampede" />
Following the war, Dutton sought to build his own contracting business. However, an [[depression (economics)|economic depression]] in 1920 forced its closure. He then worked in a packing plant in Winnipeg that also ceased operations. Penniless, with only his pride preventing him from asking his father for help, he was met by the owner of a hockey team in [[Calgary]] who had sought him out. Dutton was offered $2,500 to play in the Alberta city.<ref name="OCStampede" />


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
[[File:1924 Calgary Tigers.jpg|thumb|right|The Tigers pose in Montreal prior to the 1924 Stanley Cup Final. Dutton is in the front row, second from the left.|alt=Twelve men pose on the steps in front of a building. They are wearing suits, long jackets and hats.]]
[[File:1924 Calgary Tigers.jpg|thumb|right|The Calgary Tigers pose in Montreal prior to the 1924 Stanley Cup Finals. Dutton is in the front row, second from the left.|alt=Twelve men pose on the steps in front of a building. They are wearing suits, long jackets and hats.]]
Dutton joined the Calgary Canadians of Alberta's [[Big-4 League]] for the 1920–21 season,<ref name="LOHBio" /> then moved onto the [[Calgary Tigers]] of the [[Western Canada Hockey League]] (WCHL) in [[1921–22 WCHL season|1921–22]] where he scored 16 goals and 21 points in 22 games.<ref name="LOHStats">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&page=statsawards&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton statistics |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |accessdate=November 26, 2010}}</ref> Two seasons later, in [[1923–24 WCHL season|1923–24]], Dutton and the Tigers won the WCHL championship. He assisted on the championship winning goal in a 2–0 victory over the [[Regina Capitals]] by carrying the puck the length of the ice before passing to [[Cully Wilson]] who scored.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tigers are western Canada hockey champions |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 8, 1924 |page=20}}</ref> The team then defeated the [[Pacific Coast Hockey Association]]'s [[Vancouver Maroons]] before losing to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) in the [[1924 Stanley Cup Final]].<ref name="BlazeMag" />
Dutton joined the Calgary Canadians of Alberta's [[Big-4 League]] for the 1920–21 season,<ref name="LOHBio" /> then moved onto the [[Calgary Tigers]] of the [[Western Canada Hockey League]] (WCHL) in [[1921–22 WCHL season|1921–22]] where he scored 16 goals and 21 points in 22 games.<ref name="LOHStats">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&page=statsawards&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton statistics |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref> Two seasons later, in [[1923–24 WCHL season|1923–24]], Dutton and the Tigers won the WCHL championship. He assisted on the championship winning goal in a 2–0 victory over the [[Regina Capitals]] by carrying the puck the length of the ice before passing to [[Cully Wilson]] who scored.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tigers are western Canada hockey champions |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 8, 1924 |page=20}}</ref> The team then defeated the [[Pacific Coast Hockey Association]]'s [[Vancouver Maroons]] before losing to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) in the [[1924 Stanley Cup Finals]].<ref name="BlazeMag" />


Named a WCHL first team all-star on defence in 1922 and 1923,<ref name="OGHHOF">{{cite book |last=Duplacey |first=James |last2=Zweig |first2=Eric |title=Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame |publisher=Firefly Books |year=2010 |isbn=1-55407-662-5 |page=147}}</ref> Dutton played five seasons for the Tigers. Known for his aggressive, physical style, he led the team in [[penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]] in each of those five years,<ref name="BlazeMag" /> and the league in [[1921–22 WCHL season|1921–22]] and [[1923–24 WCHL season|1923–24]].<ref name="OGHHOF" /> Financial pressures forced the Western League to sell its interests to the NHL following the [[1925–26 WHL season|1925–26 season]],<ref>{{cite news |title=West unable to withstand financial pressure in effort to retain hockey |work=Calgary Herald |date=May 6, 1926 |page=17}}</ref> and having suffered a serious knee injury during the season, Dutton was left unsure of his future.<ref name="OCStampede" />
Named a WCHL first team all-star on defence in 1922 and 1923,<ref name="OGHHOF">{{cite book |last1=Duplacey |first1=James |last2=Zweig |first2=Eric |title=Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame |publisher=Firefly Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-55407-662-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/officialguidetop00/page/147 147] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/officialguidetop00/page/147 }}</ref> Dutton played five seasons for the Tigers. Known for his aggressive, physical style, he led the team in [[penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]] in each of those five years,<ref name="BlazeMag" /> and the league in [[1921–22 WCHL season|1921–22]] and [[1923–24 WCHL season|1923–24]].<ref name="OGHHOF" /> Financial pressures forced the Western League to sell its interests to the NHL following the [[1925–26 WHL season|1925–26 season]],<ref>{{cite news |title=West unable to withstand financial pressure in effort to retain hockey |work=Calgary Herald |date=May 6, 1926 |page=17}}</ref> and having suffered a serious knee injury during the season, Dutton was left unsure of his future.<ref name="OCStampede" />


Nonetheless, his rights were sold to the [[Montreal Maroons]],<ref name="LOHStats" /> and he made his NHL debut on November 20, 1926 against the Canadiens.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SI4uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=94sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6521,2831157 |title=Bumper crowd as Canadiens battle Maroons tonight |work=Montreal Gazette |date=November 20, 1926 |accessdate=November 26, 2010 |page=22}}</ref> Dutton played four seasons with the Maroons, scoring 15 goals and 41 points.<ref name="LOHStats" /> He played in the [[Stanley Cup]] Finals for the second time in his career in [[1927–28 NHL season|1927–28]], but the Maroons lost the best-of-five [[1928 Stanley Cup Finals|final]] three games to two.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Pm8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9YsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497,2055650 |title=N.Y. Rangers took Stanley Cup and hockey laurels |work=Montreal Gazette |date=April 16, 1928 |accessdate=November 28, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> He led the league in penalty minutes the following season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=nhl1927&sid=1929&leaguenm=NHL |title=1928–29 NHL leaders |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |accessdate=November 28, 2010}}</ref>
Nonetheless, his rights were sold to the [[Montreal Maroons]],<ref name="LOHStats" /> and he made his NHL debut on November 20, 1926 against the Canadiens.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SI4uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=94sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6521,2831157 |title=Bumper crowd as Canadiens battle Maroons tonight |work=Montreal Gazette |date=November 20, 1926 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |page=22}}</ref> Dutton played four seasons with the Maroons, scoring 15 goals and 41 points.<ref name="LOHStats" /> He played in the [[Stanley Cup]] Finals for the second time in his career in [[1927–28 NHL season|1927–28]], but the Maroons lost the best-of-five [[1928 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] three games to two.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Pm8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9YsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497,2055650 |title=N.Y. Rangers took Stanley Cup and hockey laurels |work=Montreal Gazette |date=April 16, 1928 |access-date=November 28, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> He led the league in penalty minutes the following season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=nhl1927&sid=1929&leaguenm=NHL |title=1928–29 NHL leaders |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref>


Dutton was the subject of trade talks between the Maroons and the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] following the [[1928–29 NHL season]]. The teams had been negotiating to send [[Marvin Wentworth|Cyclone Wentworth]] to Montreal in exchange for Dutton and [[Babe Siebert]] before the Black Hawks purchased the contract of [[Taffy Abel]], which ended the Hawks pursuit of Dutton.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZcNcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=71gNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5207,6093406 |title=Black Hawks land Abel from Rangers |work=Providence Evening Tribune |date=April 17, 1929 |accessdate=November 26, 2010 |page=11}}</ref> The Maroons continued to make him available, with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] showing interest following the [[1929–30 NHL season|1929–30 season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lRsvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ONsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5964,10305704 |title=Pittsburgh Pirates are sold to Cleveland hockey concern |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=May 12, 1930 |accessdate=November 26, 2010 |page=10}}</ref> Finally, he was sold to the [[New York Americans]] along with [[Mike Neville (ice hockey)|Mike Neville]], [[Hap Emms]] and [[Frank Carson (ice hockey)|Frank Carson]] for $35,000.<ref name="LOHStats" />
Dutton was the subject of trade talks between the Maroons and the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] following the [[1928–29 NHL season]]. The teams had been negotiating to send [[Marvin Wentworth|Cyclone Wentworth]] to Montreal in exchange for Dutton and [[Babe Siebert]] before the Black Hawks purchased the contract of [[Taffy Abel]], which ended the Hawks pursuit of Dutton.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZcNcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=71gNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5207,6093406 |title=Black Hawks land Abel from Rangers |work=Providence Evening Tribune |date=April 17, 1929 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |page=11}}</ref> The Maroons continued to make him available, with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] showing interest following the [[1929–30 NHL season|1929–30 season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lRsvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ONsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5964,10305704 |title=Pittsburgh Pirates are sold to Cleveland hockey concern |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=May 12, 1930 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |page=10}}</ref> Finally, he was sold to the [[New York Americans]] along with [[Mike Neville (ice hockey)|Mike Neville]], [[Hap Emms]] and [[Frank Carson (ice hockey)|Frank Carson]] for $35,000.<ref name="LOHStats" />


At first distraught at leaving Montreal, Dutton quickly adapted to playing in New York.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> He maintained his aggressive style of play with the Americans, again leading the league in penalties in [[1931–32 NHL season|1931–32]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=nhl1927&sid=1932&leaguenm=NHL |title=1931–32 NHL statistics |accessdate=November 28, 2010}}</ref> Despite his fiery temper, Dutton became one of the most popular players in New York amongst both the fans and his fellow players.<ref name="NYT1961">{{cite news |last=Daley |first=Arthur |title=The flamboyant redhead |work=New York Times |date=May 21, 1961}}</ref> He was not able to turn the Americans' fortunes on the ice around, however, as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in his first five seasons with the team.<ref name="LOHStats" />
At first distraught at leaving Montreal, Dutton quickly adapted to playing in New York.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> He maintained his aggressive style of play with the Americans, again leading the league in penalties in [[1931–32 NHL season|1931–32]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=nhl1927&sid=1932&leaguenm=NHL |title=1931–32 NHL statistics |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> Despite his fiery temper, Dutton became one of the most popular players in New York amongst both the fans and his fellow players.<ref name="NYT1961">{{cite news |last=Daley |first=Arthur |title=The flamboyant redhead |work=New York Times |date=May 21, 1961}}</ref> He was not able to turn the Americans' fortunes on the ice around, however, as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in his first five seasons with the team.<ref name="LOHStats" />


Dutton was named the coach of the Americans for the [[1935–36 NHL season]], and in doing so became the second player-coach in NHL history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6tMgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6WoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5190,2232427 |title=Red Dutton is new manager of Americans |work=Lewiston Daily Sun |date=April 24, 1935 |accessdate=November 28, 2010 |page=18}}</ref> Under his leadership, the Americans finished third in the [[Canadian Division]] with a 16–25–7 record and qualified for the postseason.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=19351936&type=DIV |title=1935–36 regular season standings |publisher=National Hockey League |accessdate=November 28, 2010}}</ref> The Americans then went on to defeat the Black Hawks 7–5 in a two-game, total-goal series to face the Maple Leafs in the league semi-final series.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lH8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2694,3522672 |title=Red Dutton surprised |work=Montreal Gazette |date=March 28, 1936 |accessdate=November 28, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> Dutton was unable to play parts of the series against Toronto due to a hip injury,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ng8_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jk4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2422%2C490404 |title=Another spurt wins for Leafs |work=Windsor Daily Star |date=March 28, 1936 |accessdate=November 26, 2010}}</ref> and the Americans lost the best-of-three series two games to one.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=34}}</ref> Dutton retired as a player following the season and turned his focus to coaching full-time.<ref name="OCStampede" />
Dutton was named the coach of the Americans for the [[1935–36 NHL season]], and in doing so became the second player-coach in NHL history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6tMgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6WoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5190,2232427 |title=Red Dutton is new manager of Americans |work=Lewiston Daily Sun |date=April 24, 1935 |access-date=November 28, 2010 |page=18}}</ref> Under his leadership, the Americans finished third in the [[Canadian Division (NHL)|Canadian Division]] with a 16–25–7 record and qualified for the postseason.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=19351936&type=DIV |title=1935–36 regular season standings |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> The Americans then went on to defeat the Black Hawks 7–5 in a two-game, total-goal series to face the Maple Leafs in the league semi-final series.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lH8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2694,3522672 |title=Red Dutton surprised |work=Montreal Gazette |date=March 28, 1936 |access-date=November 28, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> Dutton was unable to play parts of the series against Toronto due to a hip injury,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ng8_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jk4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2422%2C490404 |title=Another spurt wins for Leafs |work=Windsor Daily Star |date=March 28, 1936 |access-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref> and the Americans lost the best-of-three series two games to one.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=34}}</ref> Dutton retired as a player following the season and turned his focus to coaching full-time.<ref name="OCStampede" />


==Executive career==
==Executive career==
While Dutton focused on coaching the team, the Americans were facing bankruptcy.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> Heavily in debt, team owner [[Bill Dwyer (mobster)|Bill Dwyer]] turned to Dutton who lent him $20,000 to allow the team to continue operating. When the NHL finally forced Dwyer out and took over ownership of the franchise, the league asked Dutton to take over management of the team.<ref name="NYT1961" />
While Dutton focused on coaching the team, the Americans were facing bankruptcy.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> Heavily in debt, team owner [[Bill Dwyer (mobster)|Bill Dwyer]] turned to Dutton who lent him $20,000 to allow the team to continue operating. When the NHL finally forced Dwyer out and took over ownership of the franchise, the league asked Dutton to take over management of the team.<ref name="NYT1961" />


Though the ownerless team was written off by the press and labeled as being "orphans",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7SE_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=wU8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6151,3990505 |title=Red Dutton has faith in his motley crew |work=Windsor Daily Star |date=January 19, 1938 |accessdate=December 3, 2010}}</ref> Dutton built an Americans team in [[1937–38 NHL season|1937–38]] that finished with a 19–18–11 record. It was only the third time in the team's 13-year history they finished with a winning record. It was also only the third time the Americans qualified for the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_standings.php?tmi=7080 |title=Standings for the New York Americans of the NHL |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |accessdate=December 3, 2010}}</ref> They faced, and defeated, their rival [[New York Rangers]] in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Black Hawks in the league semi-final.<ref name="McFarlane 1990 37">{{Cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=37}}</ref> Dutton pioneered the use of air travel as the Americans became the first hockey team to fly between games in 1938.<ref name="HeraldObit" />
Though the ownerless team was written off by the press and labelled as being "orphans",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7SE_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=wU8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6151,3990505 |title=Red Dutton has faith in his motley crew |work=Windsor Daily Star |date=January 19, 1938 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> Dutton built an Americans team in [[1937–38 NHL season|1937–38]] that finished with a 19–18–11 record. It was only the third time in the team's 13-year history they finished with a winning record. It was also only the third time the Americans qualified for the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_standings.php?tmi=7080 |title=Standings for the New York Americans of the NHL |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> They faced, and defeated, their rival [[New York Rangers]] in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Black Hawks in the league semi-final.<ref name="McFarlane 1990 37">{{Cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=37}}</ref> Dutton pioneered the use of air travel as the Americans became the first hockey team to fly between games in 1938.<ref name="HeraldObit" />
[[File:Red Dutton, 1944.jpg|thumb|left|Dutton (left front) presents the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] to [[Gus Bodnar]] as [[NHL president]] in 1944]]
The Americans continued to defy expectations in [[1938–39 NHL season|1938–39]].<ref>{{cite news |last=McNeil |first=Marc |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kIsjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6072,270101 |title=Red Dutton and his Amerks deserve a pat on the back |work=Montreal Gazette |date=January 3, 1939 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=12}}</ref> They again qualified for the playoffs, losing to Toronto in the first round,<ref>{{cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=38}}</ref> while Dutton was named an NHL Second-Team All-Star as coach.<ref name="LOHStats" /> He led them to the playoffs again in [[1939–40 NHL season|1939–40]], but the loss of players due to [[World War II]] took its toll on the franchise.<ref name="McFarlane 1990 37"/> After finishing in last place the season before, the league announced that the Americans had suspended operations for the [[1942–43 NHL season]], though Dutton continued to represent the team on the Board of Governors.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0R8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=59sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3628,4380248 |title=Hockey league drops Americans |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 25, 1942 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=1}}</ref> Dutton believed that if the Americans could have held on through the war, his team would become more popular than the Rangers. "A couple of more years and we would have run the Rangers right out of the rink," he said.<ref name="sportse">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/nya/nyamericans.html |title=New York Americans |publisher=Sports Ecyclopedia |access-date=January 14, 2011}}</ref>


Following the sudden death of [[Frank Calder]] in 1943, the NHL asked Dutton to serve as acting president of the league.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Jim |title=Dutton link with bygone era |work=Calgary Herald |date=October 10, 1980 |page=D2}}</ref> The owners wanted Dutton in the post both because he was popular with the players, and because they felt they could control him. Dutton agreed to take the presidency on the promise that the league would reinstate the Americans following the war.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" /> He resigned the position after one year, citing the fact that the role took too much time away from his business interests in Calgary,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BXktAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yZgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4237%2C3814524 |title=N.H.L. looks for new president as Dutton says he is unable to take job |work=Montreal Gazette |date=August 23, 1944 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> but reversed his decision on the understanding that he would not always be available to serve the NHL post.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o3YtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4254,1479876 |title=Mervyn 'Red' Dutton agrees to continue as N.H.L. managing-director |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 9, 1944 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> Despite this agreement, he again attempted to resign in December 1944, and again had to be persuaded to complete the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GakWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HSMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5141,3751964 |title=Red Dutton to remain head of hockey loop |work=Milwaukee Journal |date=December 9, 1944 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=2}}</ref> On both occasions of his potential resignation, [[Canadian Amateur Hockey Association]] executives [[W. G. Hardy]] and [[George Dudley]] were rumoured as likely replacements.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rumor Hardy To Boss N.H.L.|date=April 24, 1943|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|page=19|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-24-1943-1474822/}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Patrick Sponsorshing Hardy As N.H.L. Chief|date=October 18, 1944|newspaper=Lethbridge Herald|location=Lethbridge, Alberta|page=23|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-oct-18-1944-1458507/}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=N.H.L. Seeks New Leader|date=August 24, 1944|newspaper=Winnipeg Tribune|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|page=19|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-aug-24-1944-1552996/}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Canadian Sport Snapshorts|last=Thomas|first=Syd|date=May 22, 1945|newspaper=Brandon Daily Sun|location=Brandon, Manitoba|page=3|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-22-1945-1553008/}}{{free access}}</ref>
The Americans continued to defy expectations in [[1938–39 NHL season|1938–39]].<ref>{{cite news |last=McNeil |first=Marc |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kIsjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6072,270101 |title=Red Dutton and his Amerks deserve a pat on the back |work=Montreal Gazette |date=January 3, 1939 |accessdate=December 3, 2010 |page=12}}</ref> They again qualified for the playoffs, losing to Toronto in the first round,<ref>{{cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=38}}</ref> while Dutton was named an NHL Second-Team All-Star as coach.<ref name="LOHStats" /> He led them to the playoffs again in [[1939–40 NHL season|1939–40]], but the loss of players due to [[World War II]] took its toll on the franchise.<ref name="McFarlane 1990 37"/> After finishing in last place the season before, the league announced that the Americans had suspended operations for the [[1942–43 NHL season]] though Dutton continued to represent the team on the Board of Governors.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0R8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=59sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3628,4380248 |title=Hockey league drops Americans |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 25, 1942 |accessdate=December 3, 2010 |page=1}}</ref> Dutton believed that if the Americans could have held on through the war, his team would become more popular than the Rangers. "A couple of more years and we would have run the Rangers right out of the rink," he said.<ref name="sportse">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/nya/nyamericans.html |title=New York Americans |publisher=Sports Ecyclopedia |accessdate=January 14, 2011}}</ref>


In spite of his earlier reluctance to retain the presidency, Dutton signed a five-year agreement to remain as NHL president in 1945.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UX4tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ApkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327%2C2546045 |title=Red reappointed for five-year term |work=Montreal Gazette |date=June 15, 1945 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=14}}</ref> He continued to make inquiries on the status of his team, but found in 1946 that the owners had reneged on their promise and cancelled the franchise. Dutton had arranged $7 million in financing for a new arena in Brooklyn. When the owners told him during a league meeting that they were not interested, Dutton told his peers "You can stick your franchise up your ass", and left the meeting.<ref name="Frayne, p. 80">{{cite book |title=The Mad Men of Hockey |last=Frayne |first=Trent |year=1974 |publisher=Dodd, Mead and Company |isbn=0-396-07060-4 |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/madmenofhockey0000fray/page/80 80] |url=https://archive.org/details/madmenofhockey0000fray/page/80 }}</ref> Dutton then resigned the presidency, but remained in the position until he convinced the league to accept [[Clarence Campbell]] as his replacement.<ref name="RLPColeman" />
Following the sudden death of [[Frank Calder]] in 1943, the NHL asked Dutton to serve as acting-president of the league.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Jim |title=Dutton link with bygone era |work=Calgary Herald |date=October 10, 1980 |page=D2}}</ref> The owners wanted Dutton in the post both because he was popular with the players, and because they felt they could control him. Dutton agreed to take the presidency on the promise that the league would reinstate the Americans following the war.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" /> He resigned the position after one year, citing the fact that the role took too much time away from his business interests in Calgary,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BXktAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yZgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4237%2C3814524 |title=N.H.L. looks for new president as Dutton says he is unable to take job |work=Montreal Gazette |date=August 23, 1944 |accessdate=December 3, 2010}}</ref> but reversed his decision on the understanding that he would not always be available to serve the NHL post.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o3YtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4254,1479876 |title=Mervyn 'Red' Dutton agrees to continue as N.H.L. managing-director |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 9, 1944 |accessdate=December 3, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> Despite this agreement, he again attempted to leave the presidency in December 1944, and again had to be persuaded to complete the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GakWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HSMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5141,3751964 |title=Red Dutton to remain head of hockey loop |work=Milwaukee Journal |date=December 9, 1944 |accessdate=December 3, 2010 |page=2}}</ref>


Dutton felt that the Rangers were responsible for the league's refusal to allow the Americans to resume operations, and in a fit of pique, swore that the Rangers would never win another Stanley Cup in his lifetime.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bonanno |first=Rocky |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=503836 |title=Rangers' Cup "curse" lasted 54 years |publisher=National Hockey League |date=October 30, 2009 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> His vow became known as "[[Curse of 1940|Dutton's Curse]]". Additionally, he never set foot in an NHL arena again until 1980 when, as the last surviving Calgary Tiger, he was asked to drop the puck for the ceremonial [[face-off|faceoff]] prior to the first game in [[Calgary Flames]]' history.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980" /> Dutton's 34-year separation from the NHL was attributed to the betrayal of the league's owners,<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" /> but also because Dutton himself found the lure of the game too strong, and knew he had to step away in order to effectively manage his businesses.<ref name="HeraldObit" />
In spite of his earlier reluctance to retain the presidency, Dutton completed a five-year agreement to remain as the head of the NHL in 1945.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UX4tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ApkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327%2C2546045 |title=Red reappointed for five-year term |work=Montreal Gazette |date=June 15, 1945 |accessdate=December 3, 2010 |page=14}}</ref> He continued to make inquiries on the status of his team, but found in 1946 that the owners had reneged on their promise. Dutton had arranged $7 million in financing for a new arena in Brooklyn and upon being told by the owners during a league meeting that they weren't interested told his peers "You can stick your franchise up your ass", and left the meeting.<ref name="Frayne, p. 80">{{cite book |title=The Mad Men of Hockey |last=Frayne |first=Trent |year=1974 |publisher=Dodd, Mead and Company |isbn=0-396-07060-4 |location=New York |page=80}}</ref> Dutton then resigned the presidency, but remained in the position until he convinced the league to accept [[Clarence Campbell]] as his replacement.<ref name="RLPColeman" />


Dutton served as governor of the [[Western Canada Junior Hockey League (1948–1956)|Western Canada Junior Hockey League]] from 1948 to 1951, when he was succeeded by [[Al Pickard]].<ref>{{cite news|title=22 Home Games For Juniors|date=September 17, 1951|newspaper=Lethbridge Herald|location=Lethbridge, Alberta|page=12|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-sep-17-1951-2103278/}}{{free access}}</ref>
Dutton felt that the Rangers were responsible for the league's refusal to allow the Americans to resume operations, and in a fit of pique, swore that the Rangers would never win another Stanley Cup in his lifetime.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bonanno |first=Rocky |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=503836 |title=Rangers' Cup "curse" lasted 54 years |publisher=National Hockey League |date=October 30, 2009 |accessdate=December 3, 2010}}</ref> His vow became known as "[[Curse of 1940|Dutton's Curse]]". Additionally, he never set foot in an NHL arena again until 1980 when, as the last surviving Calgary Tiger, he was asked to drop the puck for the ceremonial [[face-off|faceoff]] prior to the first game in [[Calgary Flames]]' history.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980" /> Dutton's 34-year separation from the NHL was attributed to the betrayal of the league's owners,<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" /> but also because Dutton himself found the lure of the game too strong, and knew he had to step away in order to effectively manage his businesses.<ref name="HeraldObit" />


In spite of this, he accepted a nomination in 1950 to become one of two Stanley Cup trustees, a position he held until his death in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_stTrustees.htm |title=Stanley Cup trustees |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |accessdate=December 5, 2010}}</ref> Dutton was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1958,<ref name="LOHBio" /> and was a member of the Hall of Fame's selection committee for 15 years.<ref name="HeraldObit" />
In spite of this, he accepted a nomination in 1950 to become one of two Stanley Cup trustees, a position he held until his death in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_stTrustees.htm |title=Stanley Cup trustees |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> Dutton was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1958,<ref name="LOHBio" /> and was a member of the Hall of Fame's selection committee for 15 years.<ref name="HeraldObit" />


==Business career==
==Business career==
Attempting to overcome the failure of his first contracting business following World War I, Dutton operated a second using the money he earned with the Tigers and Maroons. It too failed in 1933 as a result of the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="OCStampede" /> In 1938, he tried again, joining with Reg Jennings and his brother Jack to form the Standard Gravel and Surfacing Company in Calgary.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> The company proved immensely successful during [[World War II]], building numerous airports within Canada as part of the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] as well as completing highways in northern Alberta and the [[Northwest Territories]].<ref name="OCStampede" /> After serving a year as vice-chairman, Dutton was named the chairman of the prairie roadbuilders section of the Canadian Construction Association in 1950.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5e5TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JzkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6688,953759 |title=Dutton heads roadbuilders |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=January 11, 1950 |accessdate=December 18, 2010 |page=3}}</ref> By 1960, the company had become Standard Holdings Ltd., operating 20 different companies that had $70 million in contracts for that year alone,<ref name="CHStampede1960" /> and Dutton had personally become a millionaire.<ref name="NYT1961" />
Attempting to overcome the failure of his first contracting business following World War I, Dutton operated a second using the money he earned with the Tigers and Maroons. It too failed in 1933 as a result of the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="OCStampede" /> In 1938, he tried again, joining with Reg Jennings and his brother Jack to form the Standard Gravel and Surfacing Company in Calgary.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> The company proved immensely successful during [[World War II]], building numerous airports within Canada as part of the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] as well as completing highways in northern Alberta and the [[Northwest Territories]].<ref name="OCStampede" /> After serving a year as vice-chairman, Dutton was named the chairman of the prairie roadbuilders section of the Canadian Construction Association in 1950.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5e5TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JzkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6688,953759 |title=Dutton heads roadbuilders |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=January 11, 1950 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |page=3}}</ref> By 1960, the company had become Standard Holdings Ltd., operating 20 different companies that had $70 million in contracts for that year alone,<ref name="CHStampede1960" /> and Dutton had personally become a millionaire.<ref name="NYT1961" />


{{Quote box| quote ="People think that I still bear a grudge against the NHL governors because they didn't give me back my New York team. The truth is that they did me a big favour, which I didn't appreciate immediately in 1946. They sent me back here to work with Reg in a business which has brought joy and success to both of us."|align=right |width=30%|source=Dutton discussing his long absence from the NHL in 1980.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980" />}}
{{Quote box| quote ="People think that I still bear a grudge against the NHL governors because they didn't give me back my New York team. The truth is that they did me a big favour, which I didn't appreciate immediately in 1946. They sent me back here to work with Reg in a business which has brought joy and success to both of us."|align=right |width=30%|source=Dutton discussing his long absence from the NHL in 1980.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980" />}}
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He remained active in the sporting world as well. When the [[Calgary Stampeders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] found themselves in financial trouble in 1955,<ref>{{cite news |title=Grid operation mode outlined |work=Calgary Herald |date=December 14, 1955 |page=48}}</ref> Dutton led a group of local businessmen in purchasing the team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Gorde |title=Red Dutton heads new group to take over local grid entry |work=Calgary Herald |date=December 20, 1955 |page=26}}</ref> Named the president of the team, he worked to increase the team's revenues and to force a greater level of professionalism amongst his peers in Canadian football.<ref name="CHProfessional">{{cite news |last=Simaluk |first=Vern |title=Dutton gave real meaning to 'professional' |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 18, 1987 |page=F5}}</ref> He served as team president until 1959.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sport front briefs |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=February 10, 1959 |page=Sports 14}}</ref>
He remained active in the sporting world as well. When the [[Calgary Stampeders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] found themselves in financial trouble in 1955,<ref>{{cite news |title=Grid operation mode outlined |work=Calgary Herald |date=December 14, 1955 |page=48}}</ref> Dutton led a group of local businessmen in purchasing the team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Gorde |title=Red Dutton heads new group to take over local grid entry |work=Calgary Herald |date=December 20, 1955 |page=26}}</ref> Named the president of the team, he worked to increase the team's revenues and to force a greater level of professionalism amongst his peers in Canadian football.<ref name="CHProfessional">{{cite news |last=Simaluk |first=Vern |title=Dutton gave real meaning to 'professional' |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 18, 1987 |page=F5}}</ref> He served as team president until 1959.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sport front briefs |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=February 10, 1959 |page=Sports 14}}</ref>


Dutton's company built the [[Chinook Centre]] shopping mall,<ref name="CSPrince">{{cite news |last=Bishop |first=Eric |title=He was a prince |work=Calgary Sun |date=March 17, 1987 |page=54}}</ref> and in 1960, was contracted to build [[McMahon Stadium]] as the new home of the Stampeders. He bet [[George McMahon (businessman)|George McMahon]], the stadium's benefactor, $1,000 that he could complete the 19,000 seat facility within four months. He won the bet with three days to spare.<ref name="HeraldNoTask">{{cite news |last=Maki |first=Allan |title=No task was too big for Red Dutton to tackle |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 16, 1987 |page=A1}}</ref>
Dutton's company built the [[Chinook Centre]] shopping mall,<ref name="CSPrince">{{cite news |last=Bishop |first=Eric |title=He was a prince |work=Calgary Sun |date=March 17, 1987 |page=54}}</ref> and in 1960, was contracted to build [[McMahon Stadium]] as the new home of the Stampeders. He bet [[George L. McMahon|George McMahon]], the stadium's benefactor, $1,000 that he could complete the 19,000 seat facility within four months. He won the bet with three days to spare.<ref name="HeraldNoTask">{{cite news |last=Maki |first=Allan |title=No task was too big for Red Dutton to tackle |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 16, 1987 |page=A1}}</ref>


Also in 1960, Dutton was named president of the [[Calgary Stampede|Calgary Exhibition and Stampede]] on a two-year term.<ref name="CHStampede1960" /> He had been a Stampede director for ten-years previous to his appointment.<ref name="OCStampede" /> As head of the exhibition, he also spoke for the [[Calgary Stampeders (ice hockey)|Stampeders]] hockey team of the [[Western Hockey League (minor pro)|Western Hockey League]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ob1UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8jsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3942,3194301 |title=Franchise talk to come later |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=April 15, 1961 |accessdate=December 4, 2010 |page=25}}</ref> and was its chief negotiator.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SJwRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6882,3693997 |title=Calgary six looks potent |work=Spokane Spokesman-Review |date=October 10, 1960 |accessdate=December 18, 2010 |page=13}}</ref> Through his work and community spirit, Dutton played a major role in helping Calgary and the surrounding area shed its rural image in the 25 years following World War II.<ref name="CHProfessional" />
Also in 1960, Dutton was named president of the [[Calgary Stampede|Calgary Exhibition and Stampede]] on a two-year term.<ref name="CHStampede1960" /> He had been a Stampede director for ten-years previous to his appointment.<ref name="OCStampede" /> As head of the exhibition, he also spoke for the [[Calgary Stampeders (ice hockey)|Stampeders]] hockey team of the [[Western Hockey League (1952–1974)|Western Hockey League]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ob1UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8jsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3942,3194301 |title=Franchise talk to come later |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=April 15, 1961 |access-date=December 4, 2010 |page=25}}</ref> and was its chief negotiator.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SJwRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6882,3693997 |title=Calgary six looks potent |work=Spokane Spokesman-Review |date=October 10, 1960 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |page=13}}</ref> Through his work and community spirit, Dutton played a major role in helping Calgary and the surrounding area shed its rural image in the 25 years following World War II.<ref name="CHProfessional" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Dutton and his wife Mory<!--Yes, Mory, with an O--> had four children. Sons Joseph, Alex and Norman, and daughter Beryl.<ref name="HeraldObit" /> All three sons fought in World War II; Joseph and Alex were both killed serving with the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] within six months of each other.<ref name="OCStampede" /> In their memory, he funded the Dutton Memorial Arena in Winnipeg which opened in 1967 and was dedicated to developing Canada's [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|national hockey team]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rJ8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PKAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6550,7037433 |title=Dutton arena opened |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 30, 1967 |accessdate=December 5, 2010 |page=27}}</ref> Norman served in the navy during World War II; he died in 1973.<ref name="gm-obit">{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |title=Obituary: Norman Alexander Dutton Former hockey player became NHL president |date=March 16, 1987 |page=A16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Frayne |first=Trent |title=Red Dutton: tempestuous star bailed out Amerks |date=March 31, 1987 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |page=D1}}</ref>
Dutton and his wife Mory<!--Yes, Mory, with an O--> had four children: sons Joseph, Alex, and Norman, and daughter Beryl.<ref name="HeraldObit" /> All three sons fought in World War II; Joseph and Alex were both killed serving with the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] within six months of each other.<ref name="OCStampede" /> In their memory, he funded the Dutton Memorial Arena in Winnipeg which opened in 1967 and was dedicated to developing Canada's [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|national hockey team]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rJ8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PKAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6550,7037433 |title=Dutton arena opened |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 30, 1967 |access-date=December 5, 2010 |page=27}}</ref> Norman served in the navy during World War II; he died in 1973.<ref name="gm-obit">{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |title=Obituary: Norman Alexander Dutton Former hockey player became NHL president |date=March 16, 1987 |page=A16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Frayne |first=Trent |title=Red Dutton: tempestuous star bailed out Amerks |date=March 31, 1987 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |page=D1}}</ref>


He [[Thoroughbred horse racing|raced thoroughbred horses]] for decades,<ref>{{cite news |last=DeGeer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eaUtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=h58FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6812,6604066 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 30, 1965 |accessdate=December 8, 2010 |page=34}}</ref> and once sponsored a baseball team made up of hockey players known as the Calgary Puckchasers that enjoyed success during the hockey off-seasons.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeGeer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SIY1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=Wp8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6132,2422925 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=June 11, 1965 |accessdate=December 8, 2010 |page=26}}</ref> Among his humanitarian efforts, Dutton was a longtime supporter of cancer research and treatment,<ref name="HeraldNoTask" /> and made donations of equipment in the memory of his father, who died from the disease.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d9MwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ct8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2905,114163 |title=Donate Alberta "cobalt bomb" |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=January 1, 1953 |accessdate=December 8, 2010 |page=20}}</ref> He became the potentate of the Al Azhar [[Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine|Shriner]] Temple in Calgary in 1953 so that he could help crippled children.<ref name="HeraldNoTask" />
Dutton [[Thoroughbred horse racing|raced thoroughbred horses]] for decades,<ref>{{cite news |last=DeGeer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eaUtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=h58FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6812,6604066 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 30, 1965 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=34}}</ref> and once sponsored a baseball team made up of hockey players known as the Calgary Puckchasers that enjoyed success during the hockey off-seasons.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeGeer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SIY1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=Wp8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6132,2422925 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=June 11, 1965 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=26}}</ref> Among his humanitarian efforts, Dutton was a longtime supporter of cancer research and treatment,<ref name="HeraldNoTask" /> and made donations of equipment in the memory of his father, who died from the disease.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d9MwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ct8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2905,114163 |title=Donate Alberta "cobalt bomb" |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=January 1, 1953 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=20}}</ref> He became the potentate of the Al Azhar [[Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine|Shriner]] Temple in Calgary in 1953 so that he could help crippled children.<ref name="HeraldNoTask" />


Dutton earned many honours in recognition of his life and career. He was made an honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the [[The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)|King's Own Calgary Regiment]] in 1953, and promoted to honorary Colonel two years later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bocwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4dwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3093,2305477 |title=Dutton promoted |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=March 12, 1955 |accessdate=December 8, 2010 |page=24}}</ref> He was invested as a member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=481 |title=Order of Canada |publisher=Government of Canada |accessdate=December 5, 2010}}</ref> In 1993, the NHL posthumously named him one of four recipients of the [[Lester Patrick Trophy]] in recognition of his contributions to hockey in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashlesterpatrick.htm |title=Lester Patrick Trophy |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |accessdate=December 5, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706035121/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashlesterpatrick.htm |archivedate=July 6, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He was inducted into the [[Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1998,<ref name="mhhof">{{cite web |url=http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/honoured/1998/mDutton.htm |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton |publisher=Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame |accessdate=December 5, 2010}}</ref> and the [[Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum|Alberta Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://albertasportshalloffame.com/component/zoo/item/dutton-mervyn-red |title=Dutton, Mervyn aka. "Red" |publisher=Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum |accessdate=July 7, 2012}}</ref>
Dutton earned many honours in recognition of his life and career. He was made an honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the [[The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)|King's Own Calgary Regiment]] in 1953, and promoted to honorary Colonel two years later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bocwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4dwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3093,2305477 |title=Dutton promoted |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=March 12, 1955 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=24}}</ref> In 1972, the newly built Red Dutton Arena in Springbank, Alberta (just west of Calgary) was named after him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.springbankpark.com/index.php/facilities/red-dutton-arena.html|title=Red Dutton Arena - Springbank Park For All Seasons - Agricultural Society|website=www.springbankpark.com|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> He was invested as a member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=481 |title=Order of Canada |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> In 1993, the NHL posthumously named him one of four recipients of the [[Lester Patrick Trophy]] in recognition of his contributions to hockey in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashlesterpatrick.htm |title=Lester Patrick Trophy |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=December 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706035121/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashlesterpatrick.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He was inducted into the [[Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1998,<ref name="mhhof">{{cite web |url=http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/honoured/1998/mDutton.htm |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton |publisher=Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> and the [[Alberta Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://albertasportshalloffame.com/component/zoo/item/dutton-mervyn-red |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116111043/http://albertasportshalloffame.com/component/zoo/item/dutton-mervyn-red |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |title=Dutton, Mervyn aka. "Red" |publisher=Alberta Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref>


== Career statistics ==
== Career statistics ==
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==References==
==References==
*''Playing statistics:'' {{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&page=statsawards&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton statistics |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |accessdate=January 14, 2011}}
*''Playing statistics:'' {{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&page=statsawards&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton statistics |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=January 14, 2011}}
*''Coaching statistics:'' {{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1502 |title=Red Dutton profile |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |accessdate=January 14, 2011}}
*''Coaching statistics:'' {{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1502 |title=Red Dutton profile |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=January 14, 2011}}
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{icehockeystats|legendsm=P195805}}
*{{icehockeystats|legendsm=P195805}}


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{{good article}}
{{NHL Commissioner}}
{{NHL Commissioner}}
{{Calgary Stampeders team president navbox}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dutton, Red}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dutton, Red}}
[[Category:1897 births]]
[[Category:1897 births]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:Alberta Sports Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Calgary Tigers players]]
[[Category:Calgary Tigers players]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen]]
[[Category:Canadian military personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Canadian military personnel from Manitoba]]
[[Category:Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry soldiers]]
[[Category:Hockey Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Hockey Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Manitoba]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Manitoba]]
[[Category:Lester Patrick Trophy recipients]]
[[Category:Lester Patrick Trophy recipients]]
[[Category:Montreal Maroons players]]
[[Category:Montreal Maroons players]]
[[Category:National Hockey League Commissioners]]
[[Category:National Hockey League commissioners]]
[[Category:New York Americans]]
[[Category:New York Americans coaches]]
[[Category:New York Americans coaches]]
[[Category:New York Americans players]]
[[Category:New York Americans players]]
[[Category:People from Parkland Region, Manitoba]]
[[Category:People from Parkland Region, Manitoba]]
[[Category:Winnipeg Hockey Club players]]
[[Category:Winnipeg Hockey Club players]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey coaches]]
[[Category:Canadian Expeditionary Force soldiers]]
[[Category:Calgary Stampeders team presidents]]

Latest revision as of 05:43, 21 December 2024

Red Dutton
CM
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1958
Dutton with the Calgary Tigers, c. 1921
Born (1897-07-23)July 23, 1897
Russell, Manitoba, Canada
Died March 15, 1987(1987-03-15) (aged 89)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Calgary Tigers
Montreal Maroons
New York Americans
Playing career 1921–1936
2nd President of the National Hockey League
In office
1943–1946
Preceded byFrank Calder
Succeeded byClarence Campbell

Norman Alexander Dutton CM (July 23, 1897 – March 15, 1987) was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach and executive. Commonly known as Red Dutton, and earlier by the nickname "Mervyn", he played for the Calgary Tigers of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) and the Montreal Maroons and New York Americans of the National Hockey League (NHL). A rugged and physical defenceman, Dutton often led his team in penalty minutes, won the WCHL championship in 1924 as a member of the Tigers and was twice named a WCHL All-Star.

Dutton coached and managed the Americans, and later purchased the team before suspending operations in 1942 due to World War II. He served as the second president of the NHL between 1943 and 1946 before resigning the position after the NHL's owners reneged on a promise to allow the Americans to resume operations following the war. He served as a Stanley Cup trustee for 37 years but otherwise limited his involvement with the NHL following the Americans' demise. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.

A successful businessman, Dutton operated a construction company that built Calgary's McMahon Stadium in 1960 and he served for a time as the president of the Calgary Stampeders football club and later the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. He was invested as a member of the Order of Canada in 1981 and is honoured by both the Manitoba Hockey and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame. He was posthumously awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1993 in recognition of his contributions to the game of hockey in the United States.

He was the last surviving former player of the Calgary Tigers.

Early life

[edit]

Dutton was born in Russell, Manitoba on July 23, 1897.[1][2] His father, Bill, was a successful contractor who helped build Canada's transcontinental railway system,[3] and the younger Dutton often helped his father at his work when he was a boy.[4] He had at least two elder brothers,[5] and a sister.[6]

His given name was Norman Alexander Dutton, but his birth names were quickly ignored. A family friend of the Duttons refused to call him Norman as the name had a negative connotation for her, so she instead called him "Mervyn", a name that stuck.[7] His friends called him "Red" after the colour of his hair, and to most, he was known as Mervyn "Red" Dutton.[8]

Dutton attended school at St. John's College in Winnipeg.[9] He left school in 1915 to volunteer with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in World War I and served with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.[3] He lied about his birth date on his CEF enlistment papers as he was not yet 18, and served for four years.[5] Dutton fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 where he suffered a shrapnel wound to his leg serious enough that doctors pressed for amputation.[10] Dutton refused and spent the following 18 months working to recover full use of his leg. He played hockey almost constantly to regain strength, at one point playing in seven different Winnipeg leagues at the same time.[8]

Following the war, Dutton sought to build his own contracting business. However, an economic depression in 1920 forced its closure. He then worked in a packing plant in Winnipeg that also ceased operations. Penniless, with only his pride preventing him from asking his father for help, he was met by the owner of a hockey team in Calgary who had sought him out. Dutton was offered $2,500 to play in the Alberta city.[4]

Playing career

[edit]
Twelve men pose on the steps in front of a building. They are wearing suits, long jackets and hats.
The Calgary Tigers pose in Montreal prior to the 1924 Stanley Cup Finals. Dutton is in the front row, second from the left.

Dutton joined the Calgary Canadians of Alberta's Big-4 League for the 1920–21 season,[9] then moved onto the Calgary Tigers of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) in 1921–22 where he scored 16 goals and 21 points in 22 games.[11] Two seasons later, in 1923–24, Dutton and the Tigers won the WCHL championship. He assisted on the championship winning goal in a 2–0 victory over the Regina Capitals by carrying the puck the length of the ice before passing to Cully Wilson who scored.[12] The team then defeated the Pacific Coast Hockey Association's Vancouver Maroons before losing to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 1924 Stanley Cup Finals.[10]

Named a WCHL first team all-star on defence in 1922 and 1923,[13] Dutton played five seasons for the Tigers. Known for his aggressive, physical style, he led the team in penalty minutes in each of those five years,[10] and the league in 1921–22 and 1923–24.[13] Financial pressures forced the Western League to sell its interests to the NHL following the 1925–26 season,[14] and having suffered a serious knee injury during the season, Dutton was left unsure of his future.[4]

Nonetheless, his rights were sold to the Montreal Maroons,[11] and he made his NHL debut on November 20, 1926 against the Canadiens.[15] Dutton played four seasons with the Maroons, scoring 15 goals and 41 points.[11] He played in the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in his career in 1927–28, but the Maroons lost the best-of-five Stanley Cup Finals three games to two.[16] He led the league in penalty minutes the following season.[17]

Dutton was the subject of trade talks between the Maroons and the Chicago Black Hawks following the 1928–29 NHL season. The teams had been negotiating to send Cyclone Wentworth to Montreal in exchange for Dutton and Babe Siebert before the Black Hawks purchased the contract of Taffy Abel, which ended the Hawks pursuit of Dutton.[18] The Maroons continued to make him available, with the Toronto Maple Leafs showing interest following the 1929–30 season.[19] Finally, he was sold to the New York Americans along with Mike Neville, Hap Emms and Frank Carson for $35,000.[11]

At first distraught at leaving Montreal, Dutton quickly adapted to playing in New York.[5] He maintained his aggressive style of play with the Americans, again leading the league in penalties in 1931–32.[20] Despite his fiery temper, Dutton became one of the most popular players in New York amongst both the fans and his fellow players.[21] He was not able to turn the Americans' fortunes on the ice around, however, as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in his first five seasons with the team.[11]

Dutton was named the coach of the Americans for the 1935–36 NHL season, and in doing so became the second player-coach in NHL history.[22] Under his leadership, the Americans finished third in the Canadian Division with a 16–25–7 record and qualified for the postseason.[23] The Americans then went on to defeat the Black Hawks 7–5 in a two-game, total-goal series to face the Maple Leafs in the league semi-final series.[24] Dutton was unable to play parts of the series against Toronto due to a hip injury,[25] and the Americans lost the best-of-three series two games to one.[26] Dutton retired as a player following the season and turned his focus to coaching full-time.[4]

Executive career

[edit]

While Dutton focused on coaching the team, the Americans were facing bankruptcy.[5] Heavily in debt, team owner Bill Dwyer turned to Dutton who lent him $20,000 to allow the team to continue operating. When the NHL finally forced Dwyer out and took over ownership of the franchise, the league asked Dutton to take over management of the team.[21]

Though the ownerless team was written off by the press and labelled as being "orphans",[27] Dutton built an Americans team in 1937–38 that finished with a 19–18–11 record. It was only the third time in the team's 13-year history they finished with a winning record. It was also only the third time the Americans qualified for the playoffs.[28] They faced, and defeated, their rival New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Black Hawks in the league semi-final.[29] Dutton pioneered the use of air travel as the Americans became the first hockey team to fly between games in 1938.[6]

Dutton (left front) presents the Calder Memorial Trophy to Gus Bodnar as NHL president in 1944

The Americans continued to defy expectations in 1938–39.[30] They again qualified for the playoffs, losing to Toronto in the first round,[31] while Dutton was named an NHL Second-Team All-Star as coach.[11] He led them to the playoffs again in 1939–40, but the loss of players due to World War II took its toll on the franchise.[29] After finishing in last place the season before, the league announced that the Americans had suspended operations for the 1942–43 NHL season, though Dutton continued to represent the team on the Board of Governors.[32] Dutton believed that if the Americans could have held on through the war, his team would become more popular than the Rangers. "A couple of more years and we would have run the Rangers right out of the rink," he said.[33]

Following the sudden death of Frank Calder in 1943, the NHL asked Dutton to serve as acting president of the league.[34] The owners wanted Dutton in the post both because he was popular with the players, and because they felt they could control him. Dutton agreed to take the presidency on the promise that the league would reinstate the Americans following the war.[8] He resigned the position after one year, citing the fact that the role took too much time away from his business interests in Calgary,[35] but reversed his decision on the understanding that he would not always be available to serve the NHL post.[36] Despite this agreement, he again attempted to resign in December 1944, and again had to be persuaded to complete the season.[37] On both occasions of his potential resignation, Canadian Amateur Hockey Association executives W. G. Hardy and George Dudley were rumoured as likely replacements.[38][39][40][41]

In spite of his earlier reluctance to retain the presidency, Dutton signed a five-year agreement to remain as NHL president in 1945.[42] He continued to make inquiries on the status of his team, but found in 1946 that the owners had reneged on their promise and cancelled the franchise. Dutton had arranged $7 million in financing for a new arena in Brooklyn. When the owners told him during a league meeting that they were not interested, Dutton told his peers "You can stick your franchise up your ass", and left the meeting.[43] Dutton then resigned the presidency, but remained in the position until he convinced the league to accept Clarence Campbell as his replacement.[5]

Dutton felt that the Rangers were responsible for the league's refusal to allow the Americans to resume operations, and in a fit of pique, swore that the Rangers would never win another Stanley Cup in his lifetime.[44] His vow became known as "Dutton's Curse". Additionally, he never set foot in an NHL arena again until 1980 when, as the last surviving Calgary Tiger, he was asked to drop the puck for the ceremonial faceoff prior to the first game in Calgary Flames' history.[34] Dutton's 34-year separation from the NHL was attributed to the betrayal of the league's owners,[8] but also because Dutton himself found the lure of the game too strong, and knew he had to step away in order to effectively manage his businesses.[6]

Dutton served as governor of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League from 1948 to 1951, when he was succeeded by Al Pickard.[45]

In spite of this, he accepted a nomination in 1950 to become one of two Stanley Cup trustees, a position he held until his death in 1987.[46] Dutton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958,[9] and was a member of the Hall of Fame's selection committee for 15 years.[6]

Business career

[edit]

Attempting to overcome the failure of his first contracting business following World War I, Dutton operated a second using the money he earned with the Tigers and Maroons. It too failed in 1933 as a result of the Great Depression.[4] In 1938, he tried again, joining with Reg Jennings and his brother Jack to form the Standard Gravel and Surfacing Company in Calgary.[5] The company proved immensely successful during World War II, building numerous airports within Canada as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan as well as completing highways in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories.[4] After serving a year as vice-chairman, Dutton was named the chairman of the prairie roadbuilders section of the Canadian Construction Association in 1950.[47] By 1960, the company had become Standard Holdings Ltd., operating 20 different companies that had $70 million in contracts for that year alone,[7] and Dutton had personally become a millionaire.[21]

"People think that I still bear a grudge against the NHL governors because they didn't give me back my New York team. The truth is that they did me a big favour, which I didn't appreciate immediately in 1946. They sent me back here to work with Reg in a business which has brought joy and success to both of us."

Dutton discussing his long absence from the NHL in 1980.[34]

He remained active in the sporting world as well. When the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League found themselves in financial trouble in 1955,[48] Dutton led a group of local businessmen in purchasing the team.[49] Named the president of the team, he worked to increase the team's revenues and to force a greater level of professionalism amongst his peers in Canadian football.[50] He served as team president until 1959.[51]

Dutton's company built the Chinook Centre shopping mall,[52] and in 1960, was contracted to build McMahon Stadium as the new home of the Stampeders. He bet George McMahon, the stadium's benefactor, $1,000 that he could complete the 19,000 seat facility within four months. He won the bet with three days to spare.[53]

Also in 1960, Dutton was named president of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede on a two-year term.[7] He had been a Stampede director for ten-years previous to his appointment.[4] As head of the exhibition, he also spoke for the Stampeders hockey team of the Western Hockey League,[54] and was its chief negotiator.[55] Through his work and community spirit, Dutton played a major role in helping Calgary and the surrounding area shed its rural image in the 25 years following World War II.[50]

Personal life

[edit]

Dutton and his wife Mory had four children: sons Joseph, Alex, and Norman, and daughter Beryl.[6] All three sons fought in World War II; Joseph and Alex were both killed serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force within six months of each other.[4] In their memory, he funded the Dutton Memorial Arena in Winnipeg which opened in 1967 and was dedicated to developing Canada's national hockey team.[56] Norman served in the navy during World War II; he died in 1973.[57][58]

Dutton raced thoroughbred horses for decades,[59] and once sponsored a baseball team made up of hockey players known as the Calgary Puckchasers that enjoyed success during the hockey off-seasons.[60] Among his humanitarian efforts, Dutton was a longtime supporter of cancer research and treatment,[53] and made donations of equipment in the memory of his father, who died from the disease.[61] He became the potentate of the Al Azhar Shriner Temple in Calgary in 1953 so that he could help crippled children.[53]

Dutton earned many honours in recognition of his life and career. He was made an honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the King's Own Calgary Regiment in 1953, and promoted to honorary Colonel two years later.[62] In 1972, the newly built Red Dutton Arena in Springbank, Alberta (just west of Calgary) was named after him.[63] He was invested as a member of the Order of Canada in 1981.[64] In 1993, the NHL posthumously named him one of four recipients of the Lester Patrick Trophy in recognition of his contributions to hockey in the United States.[65] He was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1998,[1] and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.[66]

Career statistics

[edit]

Playing career

[edit]
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1919–20 Winnipegs WSrHL 8 6 7 13 10 2 0 0 0 6
1920–21 Calgary Canadians Big-4 15 5 3 8 38
1921–22 Calgary Tigers WCHL 22 16 5 21 73 2 0 0 0 2
1922–23 Calgary Tigers WCHL 18 2 4 6 24
1923–24 Calgary Tigers WCHL 30 6 7 13 54 7 1 1 2 10
1924–25 Calgary Tigers WCHL 23 8 4 12 72 2 0 0 0 8
1925–26 Calgary Tigers WHL 30 10 5 15 87
1926–27 Montreal Maroons NHL 44 4 4 8 108 2 0 0 0 4
1927–28 Montreal Maroons NHL 42 7 6 13 94 9 1 0 1 27
1928–29 Montreal Maroons NHL 44 1 3 4 139
1929–30 Montreal Maroons NHL 43 3 13 16 98 4 0 0 0 2
1930–31 New York Americans NHL 44 1 11 12 71
1931–32 New York Americans NHL 47 3 5 8 107
1932–33 New York Americans NHL 43 0 2 2 74
1933–34 New York Americans NHL 48 2 8 10 68
1934–35 New York Americans NHL 48 3 7 10 46
1935–36 New York Americans NHL 46 5 8 13 69 3 0 0 0 0
WCHL totals 123 42 25 67 310 11 1 1 2 20
NHL totals 449 29 67 96 871 18 1 0 1 33

Coaching career

[edit]
Season Team League Regular season Post season
G W L T Pct Division rank Result
1936–37 New York Americans NHL 48 15 29 4 .354 4th Canadian Did not qualify
1937–38 New York Americans NHL 48 19 18 11 .510 3rd Canadian Lost in second round
1938–39 New York Americans NHL 48 17 21 10 .458 4th overall Lost in first round
1939–40 New York Americans NHL 48 15 29 4 .354 6th overall Lost in first round
NHL totals 192 66 97 29 .419

References

[edit]
  • Playing statistics: "Red Dutton statistics". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  • Coaching statistics: "Red Dutton profile". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  1. ^ a b "Mervyn "Red" Dutton". Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  2. ^ Keyser, Tom (June 15, 1986). "Dutton glances back over travelled roads". Calgary Herald. p. 17. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  3. ^ a b De Geer, Vern (December 12, 1953). "Good Morning". Montreal Gazette. p. 12. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h O'Brien, Andy. "Calgary's incomparable Stampede gets a boss man to match". Ottawa Citizen. pp. 2–3, 28.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Coleman, Jim (July 23, 1982). "Jim Coleman's column for July 23". Regina Leader-Post. p. A12. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e Slade, Daryl (March 16, 1987). "Rugged Hall of Famer never attained his goal of winning Stanley Cup". Calgary Herald. p. E1.
  7. ^ a b c "Stampede honor highlights career". Calgary Herald. July 11, 1960. pp. 19, 25.
  8. ^ a b c d Podnieks, Andrew (2003). Players: The ultimate A–Z guide of everyone who has ever played in the NHL. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. pp. 223–224. ISBN 0-385-25999-9.
  9. ^ a b c "Red Dutton biography". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c Shea, Kevin (2004). "Mervyn "Red" Dutton: Calgary's early hockey hero". Blaze Magazine. Calgary Flames Hockey Club: 23.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Red Dutton statistics". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  12. ^ "Tigers are western Canada hockey champions". Calgary Herald. March 8, 1924. p. 20.
  13. ^ a b Duplacey, James; Zweig, Eric (2010). Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Firefly Books. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-55407-662-8.
  14. ^ "West unable to withstand financial pressure in effort to retain hockey". Calgary Herald. May 6, 1926. p. 17.
  15. ^ "Bumper crowd as Canadiens battle Maroons tonight". Montreal Gazette. November 20, 1926. p. 22. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  16. ^ "N.Y. Rangers took Stanley Cup and hockey laurels". Montreal Gazette. April 16, 1928. p. 16. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  17. ^ "1928–29 NHL leaders". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  18. ^ "Black Hawks land Abel from Rangers". Providence Evening Tribune. April 17, 1929. p. 11. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  19. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates are sold to Cleveland hockey concern". Ottawa Citizen. May 12, 1930. p. 10. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  20. ^ "1931–32 NHL statistics". Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  21. ^ a b c Daley, Arthur (May 21, 1961). "The flamboyant redhead". New York Times.
  22. ^ "Red Dutton is new manager of Americans". Lewiston Daily Sun. April 24, 1935. p. 18. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  23. ^ "1935–36 regular season standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  24. ^ "Red Dutton surprised". Montreal Gazette. March 28, 1936. p. 16. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  25. ^ "Another spurt wins for Leafs". Windsor Daily Star. March 28, 1936. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  26. ^ McFarlane, Brian (1990). 100 Years of Hockey. Summerhill Press. p. 34. ISBN 0-929091-26-4.
  27. ^ "Red Dutton has faith in his motley crew". Windsor Daily Star. January 19, 1938. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  28. ^ "Standings for the New York Americans of the NHL". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  29. ^ a b McFarlane, Brian (1990). 100 Years of Hockey. Summerhill Press. p. 37. ISBN 0-929091-26-4.
  30. ^ McNeil, Marc (January 3, 1939). "Red Dutton and his Amerks deserve a pat on the back". Montreal Gazette. p. 12. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  31. ^ McFarlane, Brian (1990). 100 Years of Hockey. Summerhill Press. p. 38. ISBN 0-929091-26-4.
  32. ^ "Hockey league drops Americans". Ottawa Citizen. September 25, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  33. ^ "New York Americans". Sports Ecyclopedia. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  34. ^ a b c Coleman, Jim (October 10, 1980). "Dutton link with bygone era". Calgary Herald. p. D2.
  35. ^ "N.H.L. looks for new president as Dutton says he is unable to take job". Montreal Gazette. August 23, 1944. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  36. ^ "Mervyn 'Red' Dutton agrees to continue as N.H.L. managing-director". Montreal Gazette. September 9, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  37. ^ "Red Dutton to remain head of hockey loop". Milwaukee Journal. December 9, 1944. p. 2. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  38. ^ "Rumor Hardy To Boss N.H.L." Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. April 24, 1943. p. 19.Free access icon
  39. ^ "Patrick Sponsorshing Hardy As N.H.L. Chief". Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. October 18, 1944. p. 23.Free access icon
  40. ^ "N.H.L. Seeks New Leader". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. August 24, 1944. p. 19.Free access icon
  41. ^ Thomas, Syd (May 22, 1945). "Canadian Sport Snapshorts". Brandon Daily Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. p. 3.Free access icon
  42. ^ Carroll, Dink (June 15, 1945). "Red reappointed for five-year term". Montreal Gazette. p. 14. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  43. ^ Frayne, Trent (1974). The Mad Men of Hockey. New York: Dodd, Mead and Company. p. 80. ISBN 0-396-07060-4.
  44. ^ Bonanno, Rocky (October 30, 2009). "Rangers' Cup "curse" lasted 54 years". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  45. ^ "22 Home Games For Juniors". Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. September 17, 1951. p. 12.Free access icon
  46. ^ "Stanley Cup trustees". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  47. ^ "Dutton heads roadbuilders". Regina Leader-Post. January 11, 1950. p. 3. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  48. ^ "Grid operation mode outlined". Calgary Herald. December 14, 1955. p. 48.
  49. ^ Hunter, Gorde (December 20, 1955). "Red Dutton heads new group to take over local grid entry". Calgary Herald. p. 26.
  50. ^ a b Simaluk, Vern (March 18, 1987). "Dutton gave real meaning to 'professional'". Calgary Herald. p. F5.
  51. ^ "Sport front briefs". Christian Science Monitor. February 10, 1959. p. Sports 14.
  52. ^ Bishop, Eric (March 17, 1987). "He was a prince". Calgary Sun. p. 54.
  53. ^ a b c Maki, Allan (March 16, 1987). "No task was too big for Red Dutton to tackle". Calgary Herald. p. A1.
  54. ^ "Franchise talk to come later". Regina Leader-Post. April 15, 1961. p. 25. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  55. ^ "Calgary six looks potent". Spokane Spokesman-Review. October 10, 1960. p. 13. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  56. ^ "Dutton arena opened". Montreal Gazette. September 30, 1967. p. 27. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  57. ^ "Obituary: Norman Alexander Dutton Former hockey player became NHL president". The Globe and Mail. March 16, 1987. p. A16.
  58. ^ Frayne, Trent (March 31, 1987). "Red Dutton: tempestuous star bailed out Amerks". The Globe and Mail. p. D1.
  59. ^ DeGeer, Vern (September 30, 1965). "Good Morning". Montreal Gazette. p. 34. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  60. ^ DeGeer, Vern (June 11, 1965). "Good Morning". Montreal Gazette. p. 26. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  61. ^ "Donate Alberta "cobalt bomb"". Ottawa Citizen. January 1, 1953. p. 20. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  62. ^ "Dutton promoted". Ottawa Citizen. March 12, 1955. p. 24. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  63. ^ "Red Dutton Arena - Springbank Park For All Seasons - Agricultural Society". www.springbankpark.com. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  64. ^ "Order of Canada". Government of Canada. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  65. ^ "Lester Patrick Trophy". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  66. ^ "Dutton, Mervyn aka. "Red"". Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
[edit]
Sporting positions
Preceded by National Hockey League President
1943–1946
Succeeded by
Preceded by New York Americans captain
1932–1936
Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the New York Americans
193640
Succeeded by