Frank "Deacon" Wait

COMMUNITY BUILDER - SPORTS
Frank was born on April 9, 1902 in Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. As a boy, he was interested in athletics, primarily track and field events and ice hockey.

Frank started a serious hockey career, playing junior with the Brandon Wheat Kings. He then played senior hockey at Indian Head in Weyburn, Saskatchewan before coming to play for the Trail senior team in 1924. In 1925, he turned pro with the Vancouver Maroons. Deacon was then a member of the 1926-27 Springfield Indians. He was then traded to the Boston Tigers in 1928-29. That year, Deacon led the league in points and was chosen the Most Valuable Player. At this time in his career, he was believed to be the best stickhandler in pro hockey. He was called the “Babe Ruth” of the American Hockey League. In 1929-30, Deacon played for the New York Rangers.

In 1934, Frank retired from professional hockey and he accepted a coaching position with the Trail Smoke Eaters and a position with Cominco Ltd. Frank left coaching in 1937 to focus his energies on raising a family. Frank returned to coaching with the intermediate Smoke Eaters in 1951. In that year, the Smoke Eaters won the Coy Cup, the Western Canadian Intermediate Hockey Championships in Brandon. In 1953, he moved on to coaching various divisions in minor hockey where he remained until 1972. During these years, Frank’s teams won 11 Provincial Championships.

In recognition of his dedication, sportsmanship and his contributions to minor hockey, Frank was honoured with a number of awards. He was named Trail Citizen of the Year in 1971 and was awarded the BC Amateur Hockey Association Diamond Stick Pin for his contribution to minor hockey in 1967. The Diamond Stick is the highest award given by the BC Amateur Hockey Association.

Following his retirement from Cominco in 1967, Frank and his wife moved to Christina Lake. Frank passed away in July 1989.