Frank Mathers

Frank Sydney Mathers (born March 29, 1924, in Winnipeg, Manitoba – February 9, 2005 in Hershey, Pennsylvania) was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears. From 1956 to 1991 he was player, coach, general manager, and president of the Bears. He was elected as a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builder's category in 1992.

Career

One of the AHL's most accomplished players, Mathers stood as the all-time assist and point-scoring leader among AHL defencemen upon his retirement in 1962. He was selected to the AHL All Star Team five consecutive years. As a player or executive, he won eight Calder Cups -- two as a player for Pittsburgh (1952 and 1955), two as a player/coach for Hershey (1958 and 1959), two as a coach for Hershey (1969 and 1974), and two as a general manager for Hershey (1980 and 1988). In 1987 he was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for his life long commitment to hockey in the United States.thumb|400px|right| AHL Hall of Fame induction video for Frank Mathers, Class of 2006.

He is one of few Honored Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame whose career was almost entirely outside of the NHL. Mathers was also inducted as a charter member or the AHL Hall of Fame in 2006 in Winnipeg.

Mathers also played professional football in the CFL. He was a fullback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Ottawa Rough Riders. In 1942, while serving in the RCAF, Mathers played for the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers in the first ever non-civilian Grey Cup game, losing 8–5 to the Toronto RCAF Hurricanes.