Legendary hockey reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly scrapbook for NHL.com. Known as “The Hockey Maven,” Fischler shares his humor and insights with readers every Wednesday.
This week, we look at the NHL’s forgotten – but remarkable – second president. Mervyn “Red” Dutton helped preserve the league during World War II and advocated rules that revolutionized the style of play.
On February 4, 1943, Frank Calder, the first NHL president, died after 26 years in office and a successor had to be found.
It was a time when attendance was declining due to stifling defensive hockey. The owners needed a new, energetic leader and were looking for someone who would strengthen the management team while filling the coffers.
The savior was Norman Alexander Dutton, commonly known as “Red” and formerly as “Mervyn.” In a short period of time, the defenseman and 1958 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee would enforce new rules that would dramatically change the way hockey is played. Red also commissioned a complete overhaul of the rulebook. As a result, the center ice would feature a new red line that would encourage faster play.
“For everything he did for the league, Red deserves a trophy in his honor,” said Ty Dilello, who is currently writing a book about Dutton’s former team, the New York Americans. “He was the second-ever NHL president and – thanks to the red center line – he was responsible for ushering in the modern era of the league during World War II.”
With the number of Americans decimated by massive recruitment, the league disbanded after the 1941-42 season. Some Canadian politicians even suggested that the league should cease its activities for the duration of the season. To restore the balance, a strong and popular leader was needed.
“Dutton was a perfect fit,” Dillello said. “He was an upbeat Hall of Fame defenseman and had played for, coached and even managed the Americans. Everyone in the league knew and loved the guy.”
Dutton, a decorated World War I hero, had no need for the presidency. His construction business was thriving, helped by war projects. Nevertheless, the owners urged him to take over the management of the six-team NHL. He eventually gave in to a two-pronged demand.
“I was willing to be NHL president if I could continue to pursue my business interests,” Dutton said. “And I wanted assurances from the governors that I could bring my Americans back after the war. When the owners agreed, I took the job.”
Behind the president’s desk in Montreal’s massive Sun Life Building, Red tackled the problems with the same energy he showed in defense of the Montreal Maroons and the Americans. He knew fans were restless because the game had slowed down and recognized that the rule book was an incoherent mess.
“I consulted with Frank Boucher, the (New York) Rangers manager, about rule changes and streamlining the pace of play,” Dutton recalled. “I gave Frank the green light to get things sorted out. I knew it was a monumental task, but it had to be done.”
Boucher said: “The rule book had no index. There were repetitions and contradictions and there were even different penalties for the same violation. It was almost incomprehensible, but I also knew I had to get it right for Red and the good of the league.”
The result was a compact, understandable set of rules, ready for the 1943-44 season. Since Dutton also wanted more speed and less congestion, the red line was just the thing. Ahead of his time, Dutton also asked for the power to employ a statistician, but the governors shelved his request.
The new rules were an attraction and the stadiums were filled to capacity. The owners made profits and despite the lower quality of games experienced during wartime, the fans understood the circumstances and found the game a pleasant diversion.
In his book The Trail of The Stanley Cup, Charles L. Coleman claimed, “Professional hockey boosted morale. Even though many of the stars had gone into the military and the standard of hockey had declined significantly, there was still widespread interest.”
Red tried twice to resign to focus on his contracting business, but each time the owners pressured him to help guide the NHL through the war years. He agreed to stay, even when it was announced that within months two of his sons, Joseph and Alex, had been killed while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Despite the tragedies, Red remained in office and was more popular than ever. This was evident on June 14, 1945, when he was offered a new contract, which he enthusiastically accepted. With World War II almost over and uniformed NHL players soon to be discharged, Dutton was also hell-bent on reactivating his Americans.
“He had secured $7 million to finance a new NHL arena in Brooklyn,” Dilello said, “and with his planned new venue in mind, Red was looking forward to a rivalry with the Rangers like the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants in baseball. Some of the players Red had with the Amerks in 1941-42 would likely be available.”
But Dutton’s dream was to be shattered. At the end of the 1945/46 season, he handed over the reins to Clarence Campbell, fully expecting that his Americans would return for the 1946/47 season. Unfortunately, his attempt failed in the NHL board.
Disappointed but undaunted, he returned to his thriving construction business and became one of two Stanley Cup trustees in 1950. Red held that position for 37 years until his death at the age of 89 on March 15, 1987.
In 1993, the NHL posthumously awarded Dutton the Lester Patrick Trophy for his contributions to hockey in the United States. Dilello has proposed that the league create a Red Dutton Trophy for the best defensive defenseman.
“After all,” Dilello concluded, “that’s how Red played his position.”
Dutton stayed involved with the game by building rinks in Western Canada, including the Dutton Memorial Arena in Winnipeg, named after Joseph and Alex, but he rarely attended games.
“I stayed away,” he said, “because hockey was in my blood.”
Then a pause: “And I couldn’t sleep at night!”
