Monday, June 30, 2008

Bruce Ridpath

Bruce Ridpath was a high scoring right winger who netted better than a goal per game in his four years of professional hockey.

Starting out with Toronto in the Ontario Professional Hockey League, Ridpath helped the team skate to the league championship in 1908. Unfortunately, the Toronto Professionals lost a challenge to the Montreal Wanderers for the Stanley Cup that season.

Ridpath would taste Stanley Cup success soon enough, however. In 1910 he joined the Ottawa Senators and immediately settled in on a line with Marty Walsh and Dubbie Kerr. The trio were hockey's highest scoring line, especially in the 1911-12 season. Ridpath scored an impressive 22 goals in 16 regular season games then added 4 more in 2 playoff games as the Sens won the Stanley Cup.

Ridpath was on his way to a glorious hockey legacy before tragedy struck. On Toronto's busy Yonge Street an automobile ran into him, fracturing his skull. Though he attempted a comeback, the accident cut his career short in 1912.

Born in beautiful Lakefield, Ontario, Ridpath also loved the canoe. He put on shows internationally displaying his stunt paddling and canoe racing ability.

Ridpath died far too young after suffering a severe stroke in 1925. The never-married Ridpath was just 40.

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