John Kilpatrick (American athlete)
American athlete, soldier, and president of Madison Square Garden.
John Reed Kilpatrick, born to a Canadian mother and an American father, grew up in New York City and attended Yale University. There, he competed in football and track and field, captaining both teams, and was regarded as a top athlete of his time. After college, he worked in New York City before serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, where he earned several honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal. Following the war, he built a successful business career and eventually became president of the Madison Square Garden Corporation.
For more than twenty-five years, Kilpatrick ran Madison Square Garden. From 1935 until 1960, he personally oversaw the New York Rangers NHL club, which won the Stanley Cup in 1940 under his leadership. He also brought new events to the Garden, such as ice shows and, with help from Ned Irish, college and professional basketball. In 1936, he was elected an NHL Governor.
Recalled to active duty in June 1942 for World War II, Kilpatrick rose to the rank of brigadier general. He left the army in 1949 and returned to his role at Madison Square Garden. His contributions to hockey included establishing the National Hockey League Pension Society in 1947. After his death in 1960, he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame that same year, and in 1968 he received the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1889-06-15
- Birth Place
- New York City, U.S.
- Death Date
- 1960-05-07
- School
- Yale Bulldogs
- Highschool
- Andover Academy / (Andover, MA)
- Currentposition
- End
- Highlights
- National champion (1909) / 2× Consensus All-American (1909, 1910)
- Cfbhof Id
- 1258
- Cfbhof Year
- 1955
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Kilpatrick was born to a Canadian mother and American father, raised in New York City, and attended Yale University, where he competed in football and track and field, recognized as one of the top players of the era. He competed in the hurdles and all-around events for Andover and later Yale, serving as captain on both teams. After college, he worked in New York City before being drafted to serve in the United States Army in World War I, winning several honors including the Distinguished Service Medal. Following the war, he began a successful business career that led him to become president of the Madison Square Garden Corporation.
Reader's Guide
Kilpatrick ran Madison Square Garden for more than twenty-five years, personally overseeing the operations of the New York Rangers NHL club from 1935 to 1960. The Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1940 while he was in charge. He introduced other professional events at Madison Square Garden, such as ice shows and, with the assistance of Ned Irish, college and professional basketball. In 1936, he was elected an NHL Governor. In June 1942, he was recalled to active military duty for World War II and promoted to brigadier general, retiring from the army in 1949 and resuming his career at Madison Square Garden. He established the National Hockey League Pension Society in 1947. Posthumously elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1960, he received the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1968 for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
Did You Know?
- Kilpatrick won the Distinguished Service Medal during World War I.
- He was captain of both the Andover and Yale track and field teams.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players, Part 2 1-24
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