by John Doolan, Alumni Co-Chairman

During the PHATS/SPHEM Convention, I was approached by several older members who commented that many younger members are not aware of previous groundbreakers or characters in some instances who came before.  Therefore, I have decided to use this opportunity to put a spotlight on those who were the trailblazers of PHATS/SPHEM.

Ross “Lefty” Wilson – Detroit Red Wings

Lefty took a job in 1945 as the trainer and spare goaltender with the Omaha Knights of the old USHL. Gordie Howe was stopping in Omaha that year prior to embarking on his NHL Hall of Fame career. Ross would rejoin Howe in Detroit for the 1950 season as the assistant to Carl Mattson.

After seven seasons he took over the Head Trainer position for the next 25 years. During his tenure he was part of three Stanley Cup teams, worked six All-Star games and was the trainer for Team Canada during the 1976 Canada Cup. He worked over 2,300 games in his career.

Before teams had mandatory EBUGS, many trainers were also the practice goalies as teams in the 50’s only had one goaltender on the roster. Occasionally, the trainer had to don the gear for either their team or the opponent. Ross did this three times while in the minors and three more times in the NHL. Between 1953 and 1957, he would suit up for the Red Wings, Maple Leafs and Bruins. In these three stints he logged 81 minutes with a 1 GA and a 1.15 GAA. He is credited with a tie against the Wings while subbing for the Bruins in 1957.

Lefty was one of the early pioneers of the goalies protective face mask and set the standard for making his first iconic light weight mask in 1963 that Terry Sawchuck wore. It was crude and simple in terms of design, but it served its purpose as Sawchuk credited the mask for extending his career. What Wilson’s masks lacked in protection they made up for in style. His masks had large eye openings and the slits he cut for the mouth and ventilation which gave the goalie a stolid android like look.

He was the Societies’ first HOF inductee in 1995. The native of Toronto, Ontario, he passed in 2002 while visiting friends in Florida at the age of 83.

Ken “Kit” Carson – Pittsburgh Penguins/Toronto Blue Jays

During his days in hockey, he was also an innovator. At the time, game sweaters did not come with “tie downs”, some players would take a quarter and a skate lace and configure one.  Ken came up with the concept of taking garter belt straps and sewing them directly to the sweater which then could attach to the pant buttons.

Several years ago, many of you began adding “Plate Protectors” to gloves. Ken worked with Spalding, who were in the hockey biz in Canada, to design what we called a “Fastback glove” designed to add extra protection. It was also introduced by other manufactures like Cooper and Jofa. 

Kenny left the training room behind in 1987 to become GM of the Dunedin Blue Jays and Director of the Jays training facility. 2007 saw him become a senior consultant and joined the Minor League Board of Trustees representing the Florida State League where he became President in 2015 till his retirement in 2019. In 2007 he was inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame and the Florida State League Hall of Fame in 2012. During his career he was part of a Memorial Cup, Calder Cup (2) and two World Series winners.

Ken and his wife Lillian were married on the mound of Rogers Center prior to a Jays game in 2012. Ken jokes that he wishes the fans in attendance had passed the hat that day.  They have been guests of the Alumni at our convention in 2018. He has also authored a book titled “From Hockey to Baseball I Kept Them in Stitches” which chronicles his life in pro sports.  The book is available on Amazon and is well worth the read.

To see more history on former and current members please visit our Family Tree at: Family Tree (groverweb.com).

All photos courtesy of John Doolan