Wilf Cude facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wilf Cude |
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| Born | July 4, 1906 Barry, Wales |
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| Died | May 5, 1968 (aged 61) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
| Weight | 146 lb (66 kg; 10 st 6 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Philadelphia Quakers Boston Bruins Chicago Black Hawks Detroit Red Wings Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 1930–1941 | ||
Wilfred Reginald Cude (born July 4, 1906 – died May 5, 1968) was a professional ice hockey player from Wales and Canada. He played for ten seasons as a goaltender (the player who stops the puck from going into the net) in the National Hockey League (NHL). Wilf played for teams like the Philadelphia Quakers, Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens.
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Wilf Cude's Hockey Journey
Wilf Cude was born in Barry, Wales, in 1906. His family later moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. This is where Wilf started playing ice hockey. He played for local teams like the St. Vital Saints. Wilf was also friends with Charlie Gardiner, another famous hockey player. Wilf was good at two sports: ice hockey and soccer!
Starting in the NHL
Wilf began his NHL career in the 1929–30 season. He first played for the Philadelphia Quakers. This team had a very tough season in 1930–31. After that, Wilf became the NHL's "spare goaltender." This meant he would play for any team that needed a goalie. It was a special role back then because there were only a few teams in the league.
Playing for the Red Wings and Canadiens
In 1933, the Quakers traded Wilf to the Montreal Canadiens. But before he played much for them, he was loaned to the Detroit Red Wings. Wilf played amazingly well for the Red Wings. He helped them reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time ever! They played against Charlie Gardiner and the Chicago Black Hawks. The Red Wings lost the series. Wilf also gave up the first-ever overtime goal that decided a Stanley Cup Final game. That year, he had a league-leading 1.52 goals against average, which means he let in very few goals.
The Canadiens were so impressed that they made Wilf their main goaltender. He played as their starter until the 1937–38 season. During his time, the Canadiens faced some tough years. They didn't win the Stanley Cup with Wilf as their starter. For example, in the 1935–36 season, they won only 11 games. But even then, Wilf managed to get six "shutouts" (games where he didn't let any goals in).
Retirement and Life After Hockey
Wilf Cude had a funny way of deciding to retire. One day, he was eating steak with his wife. He threw the steak at her, missed, and it stuck to the wall! He said that between the time the steak hit the wall and fell, he decided he was done with goaltending. Like many athletes, Wilf was superstitious. If his team won, he and his wife would park their car in the same spot before the next game. If they lost, they would find a new spot.
After retiring from playing, Wilf became a coach for junior hockey teams. He also worked as a scout for the Detroit Red Wings in 1948. Wilf Cude passed away in 1968.
Awards and Achievements
- NHL Second All-Star Team (1936 & 1937)
- "Honoured Member" of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
Images for kids
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Wilf Cude in his hockey uniform.
