Woody Dumart
Kraut Line left wing, two-time Stanley Cup champion, Hall of Famer.
Woodrow Wilson Clarence Dumart, born on December 23, 1916, in what was then called Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario, was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who spent nearly his entire NHL career with the Boston Bruins. He earned his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame as a key member of the legendary "Kraut Line," alongside childhood friends Milt Schmidt and Bobby Bauer. The trio powered Boston to two Stanley Cup championships and, in the 1939–40 season, became the first line in league history to finish first, second, and third in NHL scoring.
Dumart was named after U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. His family ran the Dumart Packing Company, and he learned the game on frozen outdoor ponds and sloughs. He started as a defenceman in junior hockey, playing for the Kitchener Empires and then the Kitchener Greenshirts of the Ontario Hockey Association, where he first lined up with Schmidt and Bauer. The line got its nickname from Montreal Canadiens defenceman Albert Leduc, referencing their German heritage. All three were signed by the Bruins, and Dumart began his pro career in 1935–36 with the Boston Cubs of the Canadian-American Hockey League, appearing in 46 games and scoring 21 points, while also making his NHL debut in one game that season.
After spending most of the 1936–37 season in the minors, Dumart joined the Bruins for good early in 1937. Reunited with Schmidt and Bauer, he became the line's skilled checking and defensive presence, though he also contributed solid scoring. At 6'1", he was one of the larger wingers of his era. He scored his first NHL goal on February 21, 1937, in a 2–2 tie against the Canadiens at Boston Garden. The trio led the Bruins to four straight Prince of Wales Trophies as the NHL's regular-season champions. In 1938–39, Dumart posted 29 points in the regular season and added 4 in 12 playoff games, helping Boston eliminate the New York Rangers and then defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in a decade.
The 1939–40 season was historic: Schmidt led the NHL with 52 points, while Dumart and Bauer tied for second with 43 each—the only time three linemates have swept the top three scoring spots. Dumart earned his first Second Team All-Star selection that year. He also scored his first NHL hat trick on December 25, 1939, in a 6–3 win over the Chicago Black Hawks.
Quick Facts
- Played For
- Boston Bruins
- League
- NHL
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 190
- Birth Date
- 1916-12-23
- Birth Place
- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 2001-10-19
- Death Place
- Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Career Start
- 1935
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Dumart was raised in Berlin (now Kitchener, Ontario) and began playing hockey on frozen outdoor ponds. He played junior hockey for the Kitchener Empires and then the Kitchener Greenshirts, where he was reunited with childhood friends Milt Schmidt and Bobby Bauer. The line was dubbed the 'Kraut line' by Montreal Canadiens defenceman Albert Leduc due to all three having German heritage. Dumart was signed by the Boston Bruins and initially assigned to the Boston Cubs of the Canadian-American Hockey League for the 1935–36 season. He made his NHL debut that season and joined the Bruins for good in early 1937. At 6'1", he was one of the largest wingers of his day and served as the skilled checking and defensive component of the line while contributing good scoring. During World War II, the line was briefly renamed the 'Kitchener Kids' due to anti-German sentiment. Dumart enlisted with Schmidt, Bauer, and Frank Brimsek, joining the Royal Canadian Air Force and playing for the Ottawa RCAF Flyers, winning the Allan Cup in 1942. He served overseas with a Bomber squadron until the war ended. He returned to the Bruins in 1945 and played nine more seasons, retiring after the 1954 playoffs.
Reader's Guide
Woody Dumart is significant as a key member of the Boston Bruins' 'Kraut Line,' one of the most famous forward lines in NHL history. The trio led the Bruins to Stanley Cup championships in 1939 and 1941, and in 1939–40 they became the first line to finish first, second, and third in NHL scoring. Dumart was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team three times (1940, 1941, 1947) and played in the first two NHL All-Star Games (1947, 1948). He retired as the leading scoring left wing in Bruins history and remains fourth in that category as well as in games played. His legacy includes being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992, the Region of Waterloo Hall of Fame, and being named one of the top 100 best Bruins players of all time in 2023. After retirement, he coached the Bruins' junior team, worked as an official scorer at Bruins home games, and remained active with the Bruins' Alumni Association.
Did You Know?
- He scored his first NHL hat-trick on December 25, 1939, against the Chicago Black Hawks.
- Dumart, Schmidt, and Bauer were the first NHL players to join the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
- He died on his way to Ray Bourque Night at the FleetCenter in 2001.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players 1-24
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