Speed Moynes

DOUGALD SINCLAIR “SPEED” MOYNES
“Speed” Moynes was born in Ontario in 1892.

Speed gained his nickname as being considered one of the fastest men on the ice back in the days when the hockey arena still had square corners. He led the Melville Millionaires Hockey Club to victory for the Allen Cup in 1915, which at that time was a challenge trophy. In 1979, the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame inducted the Melville Club and Speed, at 87 years of age, accepted the honour.

From there, he caught the eye of Lester and Frank Patrick and was called to the Pacific League to play for the Vancouver Millionaires. The Patrick connection and friendship lasted for their lifetimes. Speed played 2 years for Vancouver and they narrowly missed winning the Stanley Cup while playing in Chicago.

Speed’s hockey career came to a halt when he went overseas in World War I, returning late in 1919. He then played in the semi-pro Prairie League. In 1924, he moved to Trail and played with the Trail Smoke Eaters until 1931. Speed was very proud that he was instrumental in getting the Trail Club to instigate injury health coverage and wage compensation for time lost. Up to this time, if a player was injured, he received no assistance.

Speed coached many minor hockey teams in the midget and juvenile levels. His auto firm sponsored the midget team known as the Moynes Pontiacs. Speed was the honourary Manager of this team, which played for many years. Speed was well known to the Smoke Eater players, as he would donate a ton of coal for every hat trick and for the player getting the winning goal in the playoffs.

Hockey was a major part of Speed’s life and he contributed significantly to the sport in Trail.
Speed passed away in 1984.