Hockey in Trail in the 1920's
The first Trail senior amateur hockey team was organized in 1926. The Trail Seniors were immediately successful, winning the Savage Cup (Provincial Championship) and going to the Allan Cup Semi-Finals.
They repeated as Provincial Champions in 1927-28 and 1929-30, also reaching the Allan Cup finals in 1928 and 1929.
The name "Smoke Eaters" was adopted for the 1928-29 season. A Vancouver Province columnist called the Trail team "smoke-eaters" after an irate fan threw a pipe on the ice during the 1928 final against the Vancouver Monarchs. Trail's Carroll Kendall picked up the pipe and smoked it while killing a penalty.
Kendall and Trail's Curley Wheatley were the two top scorers in the 1927-28 West Kootenay Hockey League season.
Back Row: E. Arthur (Trainer), Curley Wheatley, Percy Jackson, Jim Hanson, Clarence Reddick, Wm. Brown, O. Gustafson, Howard Anderson, Ralph Garland, Fred Lauriente |
Back Row: R.S. Jones (Executive), A.J. McDonnell (President), |