William John Tobin (May 20, 1895 – May 8, 1963) was a Canadianice hockey player, executive and head coach. He was a senior executive with the Chicago Black Hawks for the team's first 36 years of existence, also serving as coach for parts of two seasons. From 1946 to 1950, he was also the team's principal owner.
Tobin was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Tobin died in Chicago's Mercy Hospital of emphysema. He was survived by his wife Muriel, son Donald W. and daughter Mrs. Elaine Bovaird, all of Chicago, and two sisters, Mrs. Maude Sunderland and Mrs. Gertrude Ashe, both of Ottawa.[1]
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Tobin was a goaltender for several senior hockey teams of the Ottawa City Hockey League before signing with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Big-4 League in Alberta. His signing provoked a controversy that helped to end the league. Tobin's eligibility to play for the Eskimos was questioned and an inquiry was held. The Calgary Tigers, upset with the makeup of the panel which investigated Tobin's status, refused to accept the decision and refused to play the league championship against Edmonton.[2] Calgary broke from league affairs along with other Calgary teams, leading to the league to fold.[3] Tobin played from the 1920–21 season until 1924–25 with Edmonton, which moved to the Western Canada Hockey League.
In 1926, Tobin helped found the new Chicago Black Hawks organization.[1] He'd traveled to Chicago after spending most of the previous year out of hockey, and hoped to find a job. Founder and owner Major Frederic McLaughlin made Tobin his assistant and head of hockey operations. Tobin was head coach of the Black Hawks for parts of two seasons, 1929–30 and 1931–32. He was promoted to team president in 1938. He was included on the Stanley Cup team picture with Chicago as executive in 1934 and 1938. However, his name was only included on the Cup in 1938.
In 1941, Tobin took over the independent Kansas City Americans of the American Hockey Association, later in the United States Hockey League. Tobin operated the team until 1951, when it became part of the Black Hawks' organization.[4]
After McLaughlin's death, Tobin nominally headed a syndicate that bought the Hawks from the McLaughlin estate. However, it was an open secret in NHL circles that Tobin was a stand-in for Detroit Red Wings owner James E. Norris, who helped Tobin put together his syndicate. Norris had been the Black Hawks' landlord since 1936, when he bought Chicago Stadium. While NHL rules prohibited the ownership of multiple teams by one owner, the arrangement effectively allowed Norris to control the two teams. In 1950, Tobin sold his share of the Hawks to James D. Norris and Arthur Wirtz.[1] He remained vice president and head of hockey operations until 1954, when Tommy Ivan became general manager. He retained the title of vice-president of the team after the sale, until his death in 1963.[4]
bill, tobin, hockey, william, john, tobin, 1895, 1963, canadian, hockey, player, executive, head, coach, senior, executive, with, chicago, black, hawks, team, first, years, existence, also, serving, coach, parts, seasons, from, 1946, 1950, also, team, principa. William John Tobin May 20 1895 May 8 1963 was a Canadian ice hockey player executive and head coach He was a senior executive with the Chicago Black Hawks for the team s first 36 years of existence also serving as coach for parts of two seasons From 1946 to 1950 he was also the team s principal owner Bill TobinTobin with the Edmonton Eskimos in the 1921 22 season Born 1895 05 20 May 20 1895Ottawa Ontario CanadaDiedMay 8 1963 1963 05 08 aged 67 Chicago Illinois U S Height5 ft 7 in 170 cm Weight150 lb 68 kg 10 st 10 lb PositionGoaltenderCaughtLeftPlayed forEdmonton EskimosPlaying career1922 1925 Contents 1 Personal information 2 Ice hockey career 3 Coaching record 4 References 5 External linksPersonal information editTobin was born in Ottawa Ontario Tobin died in Chicago s Mercy Hospital of emphysema He was survived by his wife Muriel son Donald W and daughter Mrs Elaine Bovaird all of Chicago and two sisters Mrs Maude Sunderland and Mrs Gertrude Ashe both of Ottawa 1 Ice hockey career editTobin was a goaltender for several senior hockey teams of the Ottawa City Hockey League before signing with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Big 4 League in Alberta His signing provoked a controversy that helped to end the league Tobin s eligibility to play for the Eskimos was questioned and an inquiry was held The Calgary Tigers upset with the makeup of the panel which investigated Tobin s status refused to accept the decision and refused to play the league championship against Edmonton 2 Calgary broke from league affairs along with other Calgary teams leading to the league to fold 3 Tobin played from the 1920 21 season until 1924 25 with Edmonton which moved to the Western Canada Hockey League In 1926 Tobin helped found the new Chicago Black Hawks organization 1 He d traveled to Chicago after spending most of the previous year out of hockey and hoped to find a job Founder and owner Major Frederic McLaughlin made Tobin his assistant and head of hockey operations Tobin was head coach of the Black Hawks for parts of two seasons 1929 30 and 1931 32 He was promoted to team president in 1938 He was included on the Stanley Cup team picture with Chicago as executive in 1934 and 1938 However his name was only included on the Cup in 1938 In 1941 Tobin took over the independent Kansas City Americans of the American Hockey Association later in the United States Hockey League Tobin operated the team until 1951 when it became part of the Black Hawks organization 4 After McLaughlin s death Tobin nominally headed a syndicate that bought the Hawks from the McLaughlin estate However it was an open secret in NHL circles that Tobin was a stand in for Detroit Red Wings owner James E Norris who helped Tobin put together his syndicate Norris had been the Black Hawks landlord since 1936 when he bought Chicago Stadium While NHL rules prohibited the ownership of multiple teams by one owner the arrangement effectively allowed Norris to control the two teams In 1950 Tobin sold his share of the Hawks to James D Norris and Arthur Wirtz 1 He remained vice president and head of hockey operations until 1954 when Tommy Ivan became general manager He retained the title of vice president of the team after the sale until his death in 1963 4 Coaching record editTeam Year Regular season Post season G W L T Pts Division rank Result CHI 1929 30 23 11 10 2 24 2nd in American Lost in first round 2 3 vs MTL CHI 1931 32 48 18 19 11 47 2nd in American Lost in first round 2 6 vs TOR Total 71 29 29 13 71References edit a b c Hawks Bill Tobin Dies 68 Ottawa Citizen May 9 1963 p 19 Disruption threatened in Alta Big Four as result of protest decision Calgary Herald 1921 02 22 p 17 Big Four Hockey League has collapsed Calgary Herald 1921 02 25 p 24 a b William J Tobin Hawks VP Dies Ottawa Journal May 9 1963 p 19 External links editBiographical information and career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database Bill Tobin coaching record at Hockey Reference Bill Tobin at EliteProspects Preceded byfirst GM General Manager of the Chicago Black Hawks1926 54 Succeeded byTommy Ivan Preceded byTom ShaughnessyDick Irvin Head coach of the Chicago Black Hawks19301931 32 Succeeded byDick IrvinEmil Iverson Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bill Tobin ice hockey amp oldid 1134626667, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
