How Many NHL Players Have Also Served in the Military?

The data in this video is courtesy of a subscriber who found this info last spring and I opted to make this video today.
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[@Max_Coolman]

Think almost all Finnish hockey players have served in the military cuz of compulsory military service

[@are3287]

Actually professional athletes usually get a pass or they can delay their service until 30. Laine, Aho, Barkov etc havent touched a rifle lol. There's also special military program for them that Koivu and Granlund did that basically equates to the 2 week training ww2 veterans went through before being thrown into war. Well, that comparison might be far fetched but the point is it's extremely light for pro athletes.

[@challengerconner1977]

Hischier actually did some mandator military service over the summer to fulfill his civil duty and uphold his Swiss Citizenship which is pretty cool. Similar to how Sakunos said about Finish players, this still happens in Switzerland too.

[@brendenstuder6119]

The list that I provided Shannon is not an exhausted list. There could be even more NHLers who served in the world wars let alone in modern times, but I had to cut off the time period I looked at rosters and cross compared veteran lists for at some point. It could be possible that some more players from the 60s and maybe the early 70s (but that is a stretch) served in the Second World War. Also the thing with modern military service records is that they are certainly not publicly available since most Second World War records are not even publicly available yet, and in the case of foreign militaries, even if they were available one wouldn't be able to read and interpret them unless you can read that language. Though you raise a valid point. In addition to Finland and Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, and Russia have mandatory military service. The thing with modern day conscription though (and I know this from friends in Greece, where they also have mandatory service) is that you can pay your way out of the mandatory service. So that could be the case with many of the young players from these countries, they may just throw money at their home government so that they don't have to serve.

[@MrSuperbfan]

@@brendenstuder6119 You can't do that in Finland, atleast not legally

[@derapalum6692]

@@brendenstuder6119 I sincerely doubt that it is possible to pay yourself out from military service in atleast most of those countries. There was actually minor storm about this early this year in Finland when father (and agent) of Erik Haula proposed this option. Some "superstar" players in past got it fairly easy and they were used mainly as pr figures for military service. They did only serve small period of time in the actual service. But most of the Finns who have played in NHL have been in military service just like others (though they get practice "freetime" from service). Ofcourse it is possible to do a civil service. And you can get release from example religious or health reasons. But on other hand it is still possible to get prison sentence if you refuse military or non-military service.... So that went offtopic :) Out of curiosity was it Norman Fowler who served in Russian civil war.

[@brendenstuder6119]

@@derapalum6692 Fair enough. And yes Hec Fowler's actual name was Norman Boswell Fowler. His records appear under the First World War records on the Canadian government's website, which I found odd since he was specifically drafted to the force for the Siberian Intervention campaign which was not considered part of the First World War even at the time, and was actually quite controversial in Canada as they were using soldiers that were conscripted under the assumption that they would be getting sent to Europe to fight Germany (conscription in general was quite controversial in Canada to begin with), and instead were being sent to intervene in the Russian Civil War.

[@sakunos]

Well technically all (not all but most) Finnish players have had mandatory military service... Not at war obviously but still.

[@sakunos]

And then there’s Olli Jokinen who skipped military because of back pains but still played 1000 games in the NHL🤔

[@nighttrain9410]

@@sakunos like a boss

[@88bahl]

swiss too

[@juhomantynen4638]

The video on Mikko Koivu in military service is golden.

[@TheQWE99]

Well yeah but do they really serve? Its more like symbolic serving :D

[@neilflood6508]

Thank you Brendan and Shannon for this video. I feel it is important to remember those who served, particularly those who volunteered from civilian life. My family lost 2 people on my father’s side serving in WW2. Brothers, one at Caen 3 days after D-Day and the other as a POW in a Japanese prison camp. Technically the latter did not die during the war as he passed away after VJ day, but before the camp was liberated. On my mother’s side we lost a great aunt and a 2nd cousin when a V1 missile landed on the North London pub she owned. My parents were of school age during the war. Fortunately my grandfather who served in the British Navy returned home. My other grandfather was in a protected profession, a railway engine driver, and therefore exempt from being called up.

[@everydaycarry1328]

RIP ....Rick Schwartz....Jaden’s father suddenly passed.

[@richrealdeal6606]

I have never heard of this before, and I think it’s interesting. Good post!

[@TheYoungun189]

This man Shannon is a different breed. 3 uploads just another day this man a king

[@yqmlife1757]

Dude he does this everyday it's his job no different than a cab driver or a burger flipper

[@TheYoungun189]

@@yqmlife1757 You can say that all you want but it’s more than that. Just because it’s his job doesn’t mean he needs to give his 110% best. But he does. It’s more than just the fact he uploads.

[@gobeethoth]

my grandad was a huge hockey fan and also a veteran. he would've loved this !!

[@sparkywildcat8174]

It's interesting to note that the International Hockey League named it's Championship Trophy for Joe Turner. The Turner Cup for years was arguably the 2nd most prestigious championship award after the Stanley Cup and certainly on a par with the Calder Cup for the American Hockey League.

[@pensavspatsfandom98]

Happy Veterans Day to everybody!

[@skiptracer2988]

Dudley Garrett was killed off the coast of Newfoundland aboard the HMCS Shawinigan, which was escorting the ferry named Burgeo from Channel-Port aux Basques to Sydney, Nova Scotia. They were paired with a US ship, which for an unknown reason, left them alone. They continued their U-boat search, and disappeared. The ferry somehow made it to Sydney without escort, and after a three day search it was discovered that HMCS Shawinigan had been sunk by the U-Boat U-1228 with all hands lost. Thanks for the interesting video yet again, Shannon. Cheers from Newfoundland.

[@brendenstuder6119]

Honour Roll: WW1 1914-1918: Jack Adams, Lloyd Andrews, Amos Arbour, Jack Arbour, Ty Arbour, Robert Benson, Helge Bostrom, Billy Boyd, John Brackenborough, Archie Briden, Punch Broadbent, Art Brooks, Cecil Browne, Morley Bruce, Billy Cameron, Dave Campbell, George Carey, Eddie Carpenter, Odie Cleghorn, Bill Cook, Charlie Cotch, Fred Doherty, Clarence Dolson, James Donnelly, Herb Drury, Art Duncan, Red Dutton, Frank Foyston, Frank Fredrickson, Percy Galbraith, Herb Gardiner, Leth Graham, Shorty Green, George Hay, Sammy Hebert, Harry Helman, Dick Irvin, Stan Jackson, Ivan Johnson, Duke Keats, Howie Lockhart, Johnny Matz, Moylan McDonnell, Alex McKinnon, Howard McNamara, Ivan Mitchell, Amby Moran, John Morrison, Évariste Payer, George Prodgers, Jim Riley, Joe Simpson, Raymie Skilton, Don Smith, Glenn Smith, Emery Sparrow, Gord Spence, Phil Stevens Siberian Intervention of the Russian Civil War 1918-1922: Hec Fowler WW2 1939-1945: Sid Abel, Doug Adam, Lloyd Ailsby, George Allen, Hub Anslow, Syl Apps, Murray Armstrong, Andy Barbe, Eddie Barry, Baz Bastien, Bobby Bauer, Clarence Behling, Frank Beisler, Herbert Bell, Joe Bell, Lin Bend, Joe Benoit, Bill Benson, Max Bentley, Bob Blake, Garth Boesch, Johnny Bower, Frank Brimsek, Turk Broda, Gerry Brown, Harold Brown, Gordie Bruce, Norm Burns, Eddie Bush, Scotty Cameron, Leo Carbol, Bill Carse, Bob Carse, Lex Chisholm, Jack Church, Neil Colville, Les Colvin, Roy Conacher, Bud Cook, Bob Copp, Charles Corrigan, Bunny Dame, Buck Davies, Marcel Dheere, Ernie Dickens, Bill Dickie, Lloyd Doran, Gordie Drillon, Polly Drouin, Jim Drummond, Woody Dumart, Frank Eddolls, Hap Emms, Frank Finnigan, Joe Fisher, Herb Foster, Archie Fraser, Harry Frost, Cal Gardner, Dudley Garrett (KIA 1944), Paul Gauthier, Jack Gelineau, Hank Leroy Goldsworthy, Goldup, Cliff Goupille, Tony Graboski, Jimmy Haggarty, Jack Hamilton, Murray Henderson, Art Herchenratter, Red Heron, Hec Highton, Louis Holmes, Steve Hrymnak, Ron Hudson, Jack Ingoldsby, Doug Jackson, Bud Jarvis, George Johnston, Buck Jones, Bill Juzda, Alex Kaleta, Rudolph Kampman, Jack Keating, Bill Kendall, Nick Knott, Ed Kullman, Larry Kwong, Bill Kyle, Max Labovitch, Pete Langelle, Charles Larose, Tony Licari, Pat Lundy, Hubert Macey, Dave MacKay, Bill MacKenzie, Frank Mailley, Gus Mancuso, Frank Mario, John Mariucci, Frank Mathers, Shep Mayer, Hazen McAndrew, Norm McAtee, Ken McAuley, Doug McCaig, Cally McCalmon, John McCreedy, Butch McDonald, Irv McGibbon, Jack McGill, Max McNab, Pat McReavy, Howie Meeker, Don Metz, Nick Metz, Art Michaluk, Ken Mosdell, Alex Motter, Johnny Mowers, Vic Myles, Ivan Nicholson, Peanuts O’Flaherty, Jimmy Orlando, Joe Papike, Lynn Patrick, Murray Patrick, Bert Peer, Gord Pettinger, Alf Pike, Bud Poile, Gordon Poirier, Jack Portland, Paul Raymond, Chuck Rayner, Mel Read, Ken Reardon, Terry Reardon, Ed Reigle, Leo Reise, Howie Riopelle, Moe Roberts, Bernie Ruelle, Teddy Saunders, Milt Schmidt, Dave Schriner, John Sherf, Jack Shewchuk, Bill Shill, Thain Simon, Peter Slobodian, Stan Smith, Stuart Smith, Wally Stanowski, Gaye Stewart, Bill Summerhill, Spence Tatchell, Billy Taylor, Cliff Thompson, Rhys Thomson, Fred Thurier, Wes Trainor, Marcel Tremblay, Joe Turner (KIA 1945), Norman Tustin, Aud Tuten, Eddie Wares, Aubrey Webster, Chick Webster, Bob Whitelaw, Arch Wilder, Don Wilson, Eddie Wiseman, Rudy Zunich Korean War 1950-53: Art Chisholm Vietnam War 1955-1975: Carl Wetzel Soviet/Russian Military Before 1993: German Titov

[@redwing3150]

Good lord, I can't imagine how you managed to compile these names. Must have taken days/weeks/months. Good job.

[@brendenstuder6119]

@@redwing3150 It took about a month. It was the project I used to busy myself at the start of the pandemic as everything shut down a week before I was supposed to go back to work after 6 months of being off. I was pretty down at the time and doing historical research surprisingly helped me at the very least keep my mind off of it. I cross compared a list I found online to the rosters from 1917-1918 to 1918-1919 and from 1938-39 to 1945-46 for the world wars. The Canadians who fought in the First World War were easy to find as all of those records are publicly accessible online through the Canadian government's website, just google Canada ww1 records and it should come up. It was WW2 that was the trick because only those who died currently have their records publicly accessible. Probably won't be until the 2040s when all of the records start becoming publicly accessible for WW2. So I ended up relying heavily on that list I previously mentioned which was not an exhaustive list as Turk Broda wasn't on it and I know he served. I also noticed that I missed Sid Abel in my research.

[@Jame5man]

I looked up Joe Turner. He was born in Windsor, Ontario(hooray for the local boys) but served in the US Army. It’s not an uncommon thing for people to serve in foreign armies. Especially during WWII. He was declared MIA on December 13th, 1944 during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest(a profoundly pointless and costly endeavour). The IHL’s championship trophy, the Turner Cup, was named after him. As for Dudley Garrett, he served aboard the corvette HMCS Shawinigan. He was killed in action when it was sunk by U-1228 with all hands on November 25th, 1944. The AHL’s Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award is named after him. It’s awarded to the AHL’s rookie of the year.

[@brendenstuder6119]

That is correct. What was also interesting that I found while doing my research is that a lot of the veterans from the First World War did not put down that they were a hockey player as their profession (they would put down that they were a clerk or whatever other position they would have held), even those that were playing in the NHL when they were either drafted or volunteered. As most Canadian WW2 records are still not publicly available (and probably won't be for a couple more decades) it is hard to find their military records unless you are related to them, though those who died during the war are available online through the Canadian government. Just google Canada WW2 records and the link for that should come up. Dudley put down that he was a hockey player who was unemployed (he enlisted during the off season). His service record number is V65928 if you would like to see his full record.

[@brendenstuder6119]

Also Dudley Garrett's body was recovered from the sea and he is buried in the Toronto (Mount Pleasant) Cemetery, so if you want to pay your respects he is in Plot 10, Lot 91.

[@bdeitur]

Thank you Brendan. And thank you Shannan. 👍

[@brendenstuder6119]

Thank you for doing this Shannon!

[@mickey875]

I served with the 10th mountain at fort drum

[@johnsobery]

Thanks for the information! He did a great job!

[@mollyfarton129]

Thanks for the great video and thanks to everyone who has served and those who currently serve.

[@Khorney]

Nice job Brendan, interesting stuff to see!

[@sdgakatbk]

Though he wasn't an NHL player, there was also Hobey Baker, who died testing a plane that had just been repaired during WW1.

[@jerseyjealousy1995]

Learned a lot in this video. Good stuff.

[@timdecoursey287]

Not an NHL player, but Bud Lynch, the former announcer at Joe Louis Arena and Red Wings radio play-by-play guy was there on D-Day representing Canada and lost an arm there. I went to an event for him when he was alive, and he was actually better than pro hockey players with two arms at golf.

[@1bert719]

On the 100th anniversary of the unknown warriors of Britain and France it's nice to remember that before the special relationship with the USA you Canucks always had our backs. Many thanks from across the pond. (And to all the other multitude of nations who have fought beside us over the years, we remember you all)

[@caniac7237]

Thank you Shannon for doing this video.

[@morinoisgreat73]

My brothers my father and a couple uncle's served and myself and I just want to say thank you for posting this. I love playing and watching hockey and can't wait for the sabres to finally make the playoffs after an enormous drought.

[@JeffKing310]

Thanks for doing this.

[@hattorihanzo2275]

I second your recommendation of the 100 Things series. I learned about Hec Kilrea from reading 100 Things Red Wings Fans Should Know.

[@tweekins]

Joe Turner was apparently a Canadian, but he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during the war. He was killed in the Hurtgen Forest and his body was later repatriated from Belgium and laid to rest in Windsor, ON. www.nhl.com/redwings/news/turners-ultimate-sacrifice/c-645248

[@KugoQuigley]

Also another thing which is pretty sad, Dudley Garrett was with the Canadian Navy, his warship was torpedoed off the coast of Newfoundland by a German u-boat...

[@shaman2384]

An interesting fact also, Erik Haula is to my knowledge the only Finnish player who is: a) over 28 yo , b) has not done military service, civil service or the required jailtime for missing his service age! Haula spent first years in US schools and after that has never NHL missed playoffs (7/7) and as such has missed the starting date of military service every year. From what I understand, he has a special contract done about this.

[@matthewalfier8752]

Thank you to everyone who has served!

[@beardupbeerdown7355]

Interesting topic

[@andyjarvis37]

this is really neat that you made this video. I'm glad that you support the troops. However, nobody supports the troops more than i do. Happy Rememberance Day!

[@rusevdai5810]

Lest we forget

[@timfronimos459]

As a veteran, thanks for making this video.

[@booxwee3804]

Why tf did I get notified of this video now?!

[@aravenabovepress]

Have you ever done a video about the Cleveland Barons/Crusaders?

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Fantastic video, to honor veterans from all walks of life including professional athletes.

[@fry-guy_1235]

I have a canucks camo practice and wanting to get a regina pats commemorative jersey as it has the PPCLI cap badge on the front.

[@jacknumberone600]

Howie Meeker was launched ten feet into the air when a grenade went oof during training. That's from a 50s hockey mag, cant remember which one.

[@francb1634]

Ottawa legend and hall of famer Frank McGee died in WWI, at the Battle of the Somme

[@gymrat2647]

We will remember them

[@KugoQuigley]

Joe Turner was born in Windsor, Ontario. I'm guessing living in Detroit for pro hockey he got dual-citizenship, enlisted with the US Army

[@joshmakeshift]

i know not NHL but pat Tillman.. left his football career to fight. he is a real hero.

[@pdcrmr]

Was the IHL’s Turner Cup named for Joe Turner?

[@dsc4178]

My Uncle Vic was a peacekeeper after WWII.

[@pumpkinking5174]

In Flanders Feild, the poppies blow.....

[@awesome3689]

you may have covered this but is Cole Caufield playing in the NHL this year???

[@nathanjohnson2382]

Probably a bunch of pogs

[@johnfarr2738]

Didn’t realize Canada’s Remembrance Day and our Veterans Day is on the same day

[@yqmlife1757]

It is while your honours veterans ours is a remembrance of the horrors of war and a reminder not to go to war.

[@shaman2384]

There are also euro players that go military service, not just the NA ones spreading peace...

[@canadiancruelty]

but how will the 46 veterans effect the leafs chances of winning the cup in the 2021 season?

[@lassenikulainen6722]

I think all CSKA Moscow players were technically military personnel during soviet era. Also SKA Saint Petersburg and many other teams may count as well. But at least on 70's and 80's the players were full time hockey professionals and did not actually do any military practice other than some basic training. I also think that the players were pretty high ranking so they could be paid quite "well". It is Soviet Union after all so the "well paid" were not actually well paid at all if not counting for absolute elite... German Titov was probably a "real soldier" whom just happened to play also hockey very well.

[@smithryansmith]

Czech and Slovak players would have served in the military due to conscripted service up until the 2000s. But no wars, of course.

[@893263007]

Is Steve Wochy the only player left who played during WWII?

[@kolasillers7776]

One mans Joel Armia?😂

[@klompsauce]

Bad guys won WWII

[@drivethru6155]

It's a piece of history that the NHL doesn't really dive into on the 11th, despite it being a opportunity to hit home and underline the importance of today to the hockey world.

[@kimi20F1c]

Having to go to military in Germany is "paused" since July 2011.

[@michaelkaszowski8573]

They should really do something in the league to mention this every year. Also, are there any NHL players that served as peacekeepers, or in Iraq or Afghanistan? Technically, they are also veterans.

[@brendenstuder6119]

No there are not, at least from the information that I could find. The last NHL player who likely saw combat was Carl Wetzel in Vietnam way before he played in the NHL, and he was probably drafted for that. There haven't been any drafts for wars that would have hit hockey players since then and I can't say I blame today's hockey players for not giving up their hockey careers to go serve in any of the modern operations that have occurred.

[@sksaddrakk5183]

Germany does not have compulsory military service any more

[@pale_saint]

All Finnish players

[@sparkywildcat8174]

I miss Don Cherry. A true Canadian patriot.

[@haroldlawson8771]

He has a podcast

[@1madmaxx80]

Prolly none in the modern NHL. Maybe European players?

[@ddc2784]

Hi

[@abrahamaskar4609]

First