Walter (Gid) Miller
Walter Miller born 1887 in Peterborough, started his hockey career in 1904 playing for the Charlotte Street Methodist Church Guild Team. From 1906 to1907 he played for the local intermediate and senior teams. He moved to the pro ranks when acquired by Brantford of the Ontario Professional Hockey League (known as the Trolley League) in the 1908-1909 season. His career then took him west where he played for Grand Forks in the B.C. Pro League 1910-1911. He travelled cross county to play for New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and was called up to the Toronto Tecumsehs Club in December of 1911. Miller signed with the Montreal Wanderers of the National Hockey Association in the fall of 1912, where he played for two seasons. Despite the objections of purists wanting to keep hockey as an amateur sport, the lure of professional hockey and the paycheques that came with it, prompted many young stars to leave their local teams to pursue a career in the professional ranks. It was a nomadic life with players often moving from team to team on a yearly basis. These were the early days of what would become the National Hockey League. Walter Miller was one of a few Peterborough players who took the opportunity to play pro with the chance to challenge for the Stanley Cup.
With the onset of the Great War, Walter enlisted with the 93rd Peterborough Overseas Battalion. He was a member of the 1916 – 93rd Battalion Hockey Team. He was part of the Canadian effort at Vimy Ridge and Passchendale. Wounded twice, Lieutenant Miller was officially discharged in March 1919. His hockey career over, Walter Miller returned to Peterborough, took a business course and worked for the next 32 years for the local Canada Customs Office. He died in 1959 of a heart attack while watching his Maple Leafs on TV.
Year Inducted:
1988
Status:
Deceased
Walter Miller born 1887 in Peterborough, started his hockey career in 1904 playing for the Charlotte Street Methodist Church Guild Team. From 1906 to1907 he played for the local intermediate and senior teams. He moved to the pro ranks when acquired by Brantford of the Ontario Professional Hockey League (known as the Trolley League) in the 1908-1909 season. His career then took him west where he played for Grand Forks in the B.C. Pro League 1910-1911. He travelled cross county to play for New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and was called up to the Toronto Tecumsehs Club in December of 1911. Miller signed with the Montreal Wanderers of the National Hockey Association in the fall of 1912, where he played for two seasons. Despite the objections of purists wanting to keep hockey as an amateur sport, the lure of professional hockey and the paycheques that came with it, prompted many young stars to leave their local teams to pursue a career in the professional ranks. It was a nomadic life with players often moving from team to team on a yearly basis. These were the early days of what would become the National Hockey League. Walter Miller was one of a few Peterborough players who took the opportunity to play pro with the chance to challenge for the Stanley Cup.
With the onset of the Great War, Walter enlisted with the 93rd Peterborough Overseas Battalion. He was a member of the 1916 – 93rd Battalion Hockey Team. He was part of the Canadian effort at Vimy Ridge and Passchendale. Wounded twice, Lieutenant Miller was officially discharged in March 1919. His hockey career over, Walter Miller returned to Peterborough, took a business course and worked for the next 32 years for the local Canada Customs Office. He died in 1959 of a heart attack while watching his Maple Leafs on TV.