Neil Colville
Rangers centre and defenceman, 1940 Stanley Cup champion.
Neil McNeil Colville was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League, often alongside his brother Mac. He is notable for winning the Stanley Cup in 1940 and for being the second player in NHL history to be named to All-Star Teams as both a forward and a defenseman.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Centre/Defence
- Shoots
- Right
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 11
- Weight Lb
- 180
- Played For
- New York Rangers
- Birth Date
- 1914-08-04
- Birth Place
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Death Date
- 1987-12-26
- Death Place
- Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
- Career Start
- 1934
- Career End
- 1950
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Colville joined the Rangers' farm team in 1934 and reached the pros by 1936, centering the 'Bread Line' with his brother Mac and Alex Shibicky. During World War II, he and his brother were stationed in Ottawa and played for the army's Ottawa Commandos, winning the Allan Cup in 1942. After the war, both returned to the Rangers as defencemen, becoming the first pairs of brothers to do so in the NHL. Neil was adept at both defence and offense. He retired in 1949 and became the Rangers' youngest coach a year later, but was forced to resign due to health problems halfway through his second season.
Reader's Guide
Neil Colville's significance lies in his versatility and pioneering role in NHL history. He was the second player ever named to All-Star Teams as both a forward and a defenseman, following Dit Clapper. His Stanley Cup win with the Rangers in 1940 and his unique brother duo—first to play as defencemen together—mark key achievements. After his playing career, he became a founding investor in what would become Northern Television Systems, WHTV, in Whitehorse, Yukon, where he ran the station and performed all tasks from fixing equipment to hosting newscasts. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967. In the 2009 book '100 Ranger Greats,' he was ranked No. 22 all-time among 901 New York Rangers players from the team's first 82 seasons. A memorial bench in his honor stands at Gary Point Park in Steveston, British Columbia.
Did You Know?
- Neil Colville won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1940.
- He and his brother Mac were the first pair of brothers to play as defencemen in the NHL.
- Colville was the second player named to All-Star Teams as both a forward and a defenseman, after Dit Clapper.
- After hockey, he helped found a television station in Whitehorse, Yukon, and once broadcast footage of a goldfish bowl to fill air time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Neil Colville?
Neil McNeil Colville was a Canadian professional ice hockey player born in Edmonton, Alberta, on August 4, 1914. He is best remembered for his tenure with the New York Rangers, where he helped the team win the 1940 Stanley Cup.
What positions did Neil Colville play during his NHL career?
Colville began his career as a centre but later shifted to the blue line as a defenceman. This dual-position versatility made him one of the more adaptable players of his era.
What is Neil Colville's most notable NHL achievement?
Winning the 1940 Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers is his signature accomplishment. He also became only the second player in NHL history to earn All-Star selections at both a forward and a defensive position.
Why is Neil Colville's All-Star record considered so rare?
Before Colville, just one other player had ever been named to an All-Star Team while playing both forward and defenseman. His ability to contribute effectively on both sides of the ice made that distinction genuinely exceptional for the period.
Did Neil Colville have any family connections in professional hockey?
Yes, he frequently shared the ice with his brother Mac while both were on the New York Rangers roster. The sibling pairing was a well-known feature of the team during their overlapping seasons.
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