Red Dutton

Lore & Background

Dutton was born in Russell, Manitoba, on July 23, 1897. His given name was Norman Alexander Dutton, but a family friend refused to call him Norman and instead called him "Mervyn", a name that stuck. His friends called him "Red" after the colour of his hair. He left school in 1915 to volunteer with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I, serving with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He lied about his birth date on his enlistment papers as he was not yet 18. Dutton fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 where he suffered a shrapnel wound to his leg serious enough that doctors pressed for amputation. He refused and spent 18 months recovering, playing hockey almost constantly to regain strength, at one point playing in seven different Winnipeg leagues at the same time.

Dutton joined the Calgary Tigers of the WCHL in 1921–22, scoring 16 goals and 21 points in 22 games. He was named a WCHL first team all-star on defence in 1922 and 1923. Known for his aggressive, physical style, he led the team in penalty minutes in each of his five seasons with the Tigers, and the league in 1921–22 and 1923–24. In 1923–24, the Tigers won the WCHL championship; Dutton assisted on the championship winning goal by carrying the puck the length of the ice before passing to Cully Wilson. The team then lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the 1924 Stanley Cup Finals. After the Western League sold its interests to the NHL, Dutton's rights were sold to the Montreal Maroons. He made his NHL debut on November 20, 1926 against the Canadiens. He played four seasons with the Maroons, scoring 15 goals and 41 points, and played in the Stanley Cup Finals again in 1927–28, but the Maroons lost. He led the league in penalty minutes the following season. He was later sold to the New York Americans along with Mike Neville, Hap Emms and Frank Carson for $35,000. He maintained his aggressive style, again leading the league in penalties in 1931–32.

Reader's Guide

Dutton was named coach of the Americans for the 1935–36 NHL season, becoming the second player-coach in NHL history. Under his leadership, the Americans qualified for the postseason and defeated the Black Hawks before losing to the Maple Leafs. He retired as a player following the season. When team owner Bill Dwyer faced bankruptcy, Dutton lent him $20,000 to keep the team operating. The NHL later took over ownership and asked Dutton to manage the team. In 1937–38, he built an Americans team that finished with a winning record for only the third time in team history. They defeated the New York Rangers in the playoffs before losing to the Black Hawks. Dutton pioneered the use of air travel as the Americans became the first hockey team to fly between games in 1938. The Americans qualified for the playoffs again in 1938–39 and 1939–40, but loss of players due to World War II took its toll. The league announced the Americans suspended operations for the 1942–43 season. Following the death of Frank Calder in 1943, the NHL asked Dutton to serve as acting president. He agreed on the promise that the league would reinstate the Americans after the war. He resigned after one year, citing time away from his business interests, but reversed his decision on the understanding he would not always be available. He resigned the presidency after the NHL's owners reneged on a promise to allow the Americans to resume operations. He served as a Stanley Cup trustee for 37 years but otherwise limited his involvement with the NHL. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. He was the last surviving former player of the Calgary Tigers.

Did You Know?

• Dutton lied about his birth date on his CEF enlistment papers as he was not yet 18.
• He played in seven different Winnipeg leagues at the same time while recovering from a shrapnel wound.