Mike Rodden
First person elected to both Hockey and Canadian Football Halls of Fame.
Michael James Rodden (April 24, 1891 – January 11, 1978) was a Canadian sports journalist, National Hockey League referee, and Canadian football coach. He is notable as the first person elected to both the Hockey Hall of Fame (1962) and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1964).
Quick Facts
- Birth Name
- Michael James Rodden
- Birth Date
- 1891-04-24
- Birth Place
- Mattawa, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 1978-01-11
- Death Place
- Toronto
- Occupation
- sports journalist, National Hockey League referee, and football coach
- Honours
- Hockey Hall of Fame (1962) / Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1964)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Rodden's primary occupation was sports journalist. He started at the Toronto Globe as a reporter in 1918, became sports editor ten years later, and worked there for 18 years before moving to the Kingston Whig-Standard in 1936 when the Globe merged with The Mail and Empire. He remained sports editor there until 1958 and contributed a weekly column until a few weeks before his death. He officiated in 1,187 National Hockey League games. As a football coach, he led the Hamilton Tigers to Grey Cup championships in 1928 and 1929. He also coached the Toronto St. Pats in the NHL until his contract was terminated in January 1927, just before the club was sold and became the Maple Leafs; he is credited with coaching two games by the NHL. Rodden left his hometown at age 15 to attend the University of Ottawa, and was a student at Queen's University from 1910 to 1913, earning 15 letters in rugby football and ice hockey. He played football for Toronto Parkdale (1915) and the Toronto Argonauts (1919–1920), and coached both teams. He was head coach of the Tigers from 1927–1930 and in 1937. In hockey, he coached De La Salle College (1920–21), St. Andrew's College juniors (1921–22), St. Mary's (1923–24), and the University of Toronto Schools Rugby team to an undefeated season in 1925, winning the Canadian Interscholastic Championship. He was an older brother of ice hockey player Eddie Rodden.
Reader's Guide
Rodden's significance lies in his unique dual recognition by both the Hockey Hall of Fame (1962) and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1964), a feat no one else had achieved. His career spanned multiple roles: sports journalist, NHL referee, and football coach. As a journalist, he worked for the Toronto Globe and later the Kingston Whig-Standard, serving as sports editor for decades. As an NHL referee, he officiated 1,187 games. As a football coach, he led the Hamilton Tigers to back-to-back Grey Cup championships in 1928 and 1929. He also briefly coached the Toronto St. Pats in the NHL. After retiring, he wrote a 500-page book about his several careers. The Mike Rodden Arena and Community Centre in Mattawa, Ontario, is named in his honour. His legacy is that of a versatile sports figure who contributed at the highest levels of both hockey and football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mike Rodden?
Mike Rodden (1891–1978) was a Canadian sports journalist who went on to become an NHL referee and a Canadian football coach. Born in Mattawa, Ontario, he is best remembered as the first individual inducted into both the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
What was Mike Rodden's role in hockey?
Rodden served as an NHL referee, officiating 1,187 games over the course of his career. His contributions to the sport earned him a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.
How many NHL games did Mike Rodden referee?
Rodden officiated a total of 1,187 NHL games during his career as a referee.
What makes Mike Rodden's Hall of Fame status unique?
He holds the distinction of being the first person ever elected to both the Hockey Hall of Fame (1962) and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1964). No one before him had achieved dual recognition across those two sports.
What did Mike Rodden accomplish in Canadian football?
As head coach of the Hamilton Tigers, Rodden guided the team to Grey Cup titles in both 1928 and 1929. His football career later earned him induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1964.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Builders and Executives, Part 3 1-24
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