L. J. (Jake) Wade

Jake Wade was born in Coventry, England, but moved to Peterborough with his family when he was one year old. As a youth, he excelled in track and field; at age 13 he won seven firsts in the PCI field day events. He played minor hockey here, had a season of Jr. B at age 14, then two years of Jr. A with Toronto Young Rangers. Dit Clapper was instrumental in his signing a pro contract with Boston and he went on to play at Hershey and Philadelphia of the AHL and Boston of the EAHL.

Jake played with navy teams during World War II, then joined Quebec Aces which were coached by Punch Imlach. Later, he played in the East Coast League where he was known as the “Pride of the Bay,” with Halifax Crescents and Saint John Beavers. He was an All-Star, led his team in scoring each season, and one season led the league. He played Sr. A for Brantford and Belleville, ON, and two seasons of Sr. B with the Petes.

Jake was also a very fine centre fielder, playing 20 seasons of City League softball and six of Sr. A baseball. He died in 2003.