George Richardson (ice hockey)
Amateur hockey star, businessman, and soldier killed in action.
George Taylor Richardson (September 14, 1886 – February 9, 1916) was a Canadian ice hockey player, businessman, and soldier. He played for Queen’s University and the 14th Regiment of Kingston, earning a reputation as one of the top amateur players of his era. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the George Richardson Memorial Trophy is named after him. Richardson was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, graduating from Queen’s University in 1906 with a bachelor of science degree. He came from a prominent local family: his grandfather James Richardson founded James Richardson & Sons, and his uncle Henry Westman Richardson was a businessman and senator. His sister Agnes was the benefactor of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, and his brother James Armstrong Richardson Sr. was a businessman, aviator, and chancellor of Queen’s University. His niece Agnes Benidickson became Queen’s first female chancellor, and his nephews James Armstrong Richardson and George Taylor Richardson were Manitoba businessmen and public figures. After university, Richardson joined the family grain-exporting firm. On the ice, Richardson played left wing for the Queen’s University Golden Gaels from 1903 to 1906. The team won the Intercollegiate Hockey Union in 1903 and the Canadian Intercollegiate championship in 1904 and 1906. He was a gentlemanly player and a skilled goal scorer, netting five goals against Princeton and Yale when Queen’s won the 1903 North American collegiate title. The 1906 Queen’s team challenged the Ottawa Hockey Club for the Stanley Cup. From 1907 to 1909, he played for the 14th Regiment of Kingston, winning the Ontario Hockey Association title and the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1908—scoring seven goals in one game against Stratford—and the Allan Cup in 1909. He later served as president of the Kingston Frontenacs, who won OHA junior titles in 1911 and 1912. Richardson never turned professional, as his family business provided ample wealth. Richardson joined a local militia after university, rising to lieutenant in The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment. When the First World War began, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on September 22, 1914, at CFB Valcartier, and reached the Western Front by February 1915. He was promoted to captain after being the sole survivor of the 2nd Battalion in a battle near Saint-Julien in Langemark.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 1950
- Birth Date
- 1886-09-14
- Birth Place
- Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 1916-02-09
- Death Place
- Wulverghem, Belgium
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 195
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- Queen's University / Kingston Frontenacs
- Career Start
- 1902
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Richardson played for the Queen's University Golden Gaels from 1903 to 1906, when the team won the Intercollegiate Hockey Union in 1903, and the Canadian Intercollegiate championship in 1904 and 1906. He was known as a gentlemanly player and an adept goal scorer. He scored five times against Princeton and Yale when Queen's won the 1903 North American collegiate title. The 1906 Queen's team challenged the Ottawa Hockey Club for the Stanley Cup. Richardson played left wing for the 14th Regiment of Kingston team from 1907 to 1909. The 1908 team won the Ontario Hockey Association title and the J. Ross Robertson Cup, as Richardson scored seven goals in one game against Stratford. Richardson won the 1909 Allan Cup a year later.
Reader's Guide
Richardson was part of a prominent business family that owned and operated a grain processing business in Kingston, Ontario. After graduating from Queen's he joined his family's grain-exporting firm. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the First World War, and died in action in Belgium. He was promoted to captain as a result of being the sole survivor in the 2nd Battalion during a battle near Saint-Julien in Langemark. Captain Richardson bought boots and gas masks for men under his command. He was killed in action February 9, 1916, resulting from being shot three times in the hips and abdomen, in a battle near Wulverghem. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. Posthumously, he became a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour of the French Third Republic. He bequeathed $15,000 to Queen's University for art and athletics, $5,000 for bathing facilities in Kingston, $30,000 to city charities, and $30,000 to form a trust fund for the education of the children of the married men in his company that were disabled or killed in battle. The George Taylor Richardson Memorial Fund was established to provide grants for the stimulation of the arts at Queen's University. Richardson Memorial Stadium at Queen's is named in his honour. From 1932 to 1971, the Eastern Canada junior hockey champion won the George Richardson Memorial Trophy and advanced to the Memorial Cup. Richardson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1950, and into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Did You Know?
- Richardson scored seven goals in one game against Stratford for the 14th Regiment of Kingston in 1908.
- He bequeathed $30,000 to form a trust fund for the education of children of married men in his company who were disabled or killed in battle.
- He is the namesake of the George Richardson Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Eastern Canada junior hockey champion from 1932 to 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is George Richardson (ice hockey)?
George Taylor Richardson was a Canadian amateur hockey star, businessman, and soldier from Kingston, Ontario, who became one of the most celebrated players of his generation before dying in World War I.
What teams did George Richardson play hockey for?
He suited up for the Queen's University Golden Gaels between 1903 and 1906, then played for the 14th Regiment of Kingston from 1907 to 1909.
How did George Richardson die?
He was killed in action on February 9, 1916, while serving as a soldier during the First World War, at just 29 years old.
What is the George Richardson Memorial Trophy?
It is a Canadian hockey award named in his honor, presented annually to recognize the top amateur player in the country.
When was George Richardson inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?
He was enshrined in 1950, more than three decades after his death, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's earliest greats.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players, Part 3 1-24
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