Frederick Whitcroft
Born in Ireland December 2, 1882, Fred Whitcroft came to Peterborough from Port Perry in 1891 at the age of 9. He played for the Peterborough junior lacrosse and baseball teams and later managed the Excelsiors baseball team of the city league, but his big sport was hockey. He joined the Peterborough Colts junior team in 1898 at age 16 and three years later led the team to the provincial championship, scoring eight goals in one playoff game. Whitcroft was described as very fast on his skates, a dazzling stick handler and a prolific scorer. He was the star player on the 1902 OHA Intermediate Champions and captained the 1906 OHA Intermediate Championship Team. His reputation garnered him an invitation to help the 1907 Stanley Cup Champion Kenora Thistles defend their title. The Thistles surrendered the cup to the Montreal Wanderers in March of 1907. Fred then moved on to Edmonton and scored 35 goals as Edmonton took the senior hockey title and challenged Montreal Wanderers for the 1908 Stanley Cup, losing in two games. Fred ended his career with the Renfrew Creamery Kings (Renfrew Millionaires) in 1910. He was one of the starting seven which included Cyclone Taylor, Newsy Lalonde, the Patrick brothers, Lester and Frank (renowned as builders of modern hockey) as well as Bert Lindsay, father of Ted (Detroit Red Wings). He returned to Edmonton to coach the Edmonton Dominions 1913-1914. Fred married Frances Emily Boswell in 1910 and together they moved west and in the ensuing years became world travellers. While on business to the BC north country, Fred died of a heart attack August 9, 1931. Frances died in 1950 in Vancouver. They had two sons. Frederick John Whitcroft was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.
Year Inducted:
1988
Status:
Deceased
Born in Ireland December 2, 1882, Fred Whitcroft came to Peterborough from Port Perry in 1891 at the age of 9. He played for the Peterborough junior lacrosse and baseball teams and later managed the Excelsiors baseball team of the city league, but his big sport was hockey. He joined the Peterborough Colts junior team in 1898 at age 16 and three years later led the team to the provincial championship, scoring eight goals in one playoff game. Whitcroft was described as very fast on his skates, a dazzling stick handler and a prolific scorer. He was the star player on the 1902 OHA Intermediate Champions and captained the 1906 OHA Intermediate Championship Team. His reputation garnered him an invitation to help the 1907 Stanley Cup Champion Kenora Thistles defend their title. The Thistles surrendered the cup to the Montreal Wanderers in March of 1907. Fred then moved on to Edmonton and scored 35 goals as Edmonton took the senior hockey title and challenged Montreal Wanderers for the 1908 Stanley Cup, losing in two games. Fred ended his career with the Renfrew Creamery Kings (Renfrew Millionaires) in 1910. He was one of the starting seven which included Cyclone Taylor, Newsy Lalonde, the Patrick brothers, Lester and Frank (renowned as builders of modern hockey) as well as Bert Lindsay, father of Ted (Detroit Red Wings). He returned to Edmonton to coach the Edmonton Dominions 1913-1914. Fred married Frances Emily Boswell in 1910 and together they moved west and in the ensuing years became world travellers. While on business to the BC north country, Fred died of a heart attack August 9, 1931. Frances died in 1950 in Vancouver. They had two sons. Frederick John Whitcroft was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.