During World War II several members of Canada’s National Hockey League enlisted in the Canadian Forces in support of the fight against the Nazis, but not all were sent to the front lines. Some became physical fitness instructors while others played on armed forces hockey teams.

     Today, several well-known hockey trophies and cups are named in recognition of players who fought in either World War I or World War II. In 1919, just after the end of World War I, the Memorial Cup was created to honour Canada’s war dead. Other memorial awards are the Abbott Memorial Cup, to honour Edward Abbott and the George Taylor Richardson Memorial Trophy. Conn Smythe, a veteran of World War I, and later owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, enlisted in World War II at the age of 45. He was commanding an artillery battery in Normandy when he was wounded. The Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the National Hockey League playoffs, is named in recognition of Conn Smythe. Walter “Turk” Broda, the well-known goalie, was born in Brandon of Ukrainian descent. Broda joined the Canadian Artillery in 1943. While Broda did go overseas he did not go into combat in Europe but did play football and hockey in Canadian military units.