By – David McPherson
Cambridge, ON – Lest we forget.
On June 28, 1914, the assasination of Archduke Franz Ferninand of Austria-Hungary, triggered a month-long series of events that escalated in the First World War. By the time this international conflict officially ended, November 11, 1918, more than 9.7 million military personnel, from more than two dozen nations, perished in the fighting including more than 60,000 Canadians.
There is a rich connection between the OHA and these veterans who served in the two world wars. From all across Ontario, patriotism drew hockey players to enlist. The fledgling senior and amateur leagues were rife with young men eager to join the cause and fight for their country. Several trophies are now named in memory of these fallen hockey heroes who went “from the rinks to the regiments.”
Following the First World War, Capt. James T. Sutherland, came up with the idea of the Memorial Cup as a trophy to commemorate OHA players killed in the Great War and the OHA donated significant funds in the ensuing years to promote nationwide competition among Canadian junior hockey teams with players under 20 years of age. This recognition and support of those who served our country by the OHA continued long after the war ended.
At its 1923 annual meeting, President Fry of Dunnville proposed: “That the Ontario Hockey Association set aside a sum not exceeding 2,000 for the purpose of establishing a suitable Ontario Hockey Association Great War Memorial in the form of an educational scholarship at the University of Toronto, to which Ontario men who have served overseas with the Canadian forces (or the sons or daughters of same) will be eligible.” This motion was passed and the first two recipients of the Ontario Hockey Association War Memorial Scholarship were from Hamilton: Miss W. F. Hughes of Delta Collegiate Institute and Miss W.I. Abbott of the Central Collegiate Institute. Each was awarded $100 in cash in addition to $75 exemption of fees.
In honour of Remembrance Day, the OHA shares the stories of two brave soldiers and hockey players — John Pethick and Scotty Davidson, who both died on the battlefields of France during the Great War.
John “Jack” Pethick
Born in London, Ontario, Jack was a well-known member of his local OHA intermediate hockey team in Peterborough. Pethick enlisted in 1915, and before heading overseas participated as a member of the 40th Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery hockey team in the OHA Senior Series. Pethick was a gunner with the Canadian Field Artillery and was 25-years-old when he was killed in action on the French battlefields.
Allan McLean “Scotty” Davidson
Born in Kingston, Ontario on March 6, 1891, Scotty was a star player for his hometown team, the Kingston Frontenacs, and learned to play the game early on from James T. Sutherland. Davidson started his OHA career in 1908 when he was 17-years-old. By the 1912-1913 season, he made the pros. Playing as a member of the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association, he scored 19 goals in just 20 games during his rookie season. In his second season he was named the team’s captain and helped lead the team to its first Stanley Cup.
On September 22, 1914, Davidson enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force — becoming the first professional hockey player to volunteer his services in the Great War. Sadly, Lance Corporal Davidson died in action on June 16, 1915.
On March 5, 1929, on the anniversary of Davidson’s birth, before the start of a hockey game at Kingston’s Harty Arena between Queen’s Golden Gaels and the Toronto Varsity Blues, trumpeters sounded “The Last Post.” And, in 1950, Davidson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Learn about a few more “Hockey Players At War” in this Canadian History Ehx podcast.
About the Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) was founded on November 27, 1890, and is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior hockey in the Province of Ontario. It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and two Senior hockey leagues: Junior A – Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior B – Greater Ontario Hockey League; Junior C – Provincial Junior Hockey League, Senior –Allan Cup Hockey (AAA) and Ontario Elite Hockey League (AA). For the 2025-2026 season, these five leagues encompass 123 teams. 3100 players, and about 6,000 games each hockey season. The majority of our players are 16 to 21 years of age.
The objectives of the OHA are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey, to conduct competition in the various categories established, to determine teams for entry into the inter-branch competitions that may be provided by Hockey Canada, and to provide for the affiliation of other hockey organizations.
The OHA provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and provides support to various Development Programs for coaches, officials, trainers and players, Safety and Risk Management Issues and offers resources for Harassment and Abuse education.
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For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Chris McCleary
General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Ontario Hockey Association
