William M. Jennings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Jennings
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| Born | December 14, 1920 New York City, US
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| Died | August 17, 1981 (aged 60) |
| Education | Princeton University Yale Law School |
| Occupation | Lawyer, sportsman |
| Known for | New York Rangers Westchester Classic |
| Board member of | National Hockey League New York Rangers Suburbane Propane Gas Corp. Lee National Corp Warnaco Inc. |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Hite |
| Children | 5 |
| Awards | Lester Patrick Trophy (1971) |
| Honors | Hockey Hall of Fame (1975) United States Hockey Hall of Fame (1981) |
William M. Jennings (born December 14, 1920 – died August 17, 1981) was a very important leader in the world of ice hockey. He was an executive for the National Hockey League (NHL).
William Jennings was born in New York City. He went to Princeton University and then studied law at Yale Law School. After becoming a lawyer, he worked for a law firm in Manhattan. Through his work, he became involved with Madison Square Garden, a famous sports arena.
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William M. Jennings: A Hockey Leader
In 1962, William Jennings became the president of the New York Rangers, a professional hockey team. He led the Rangers until he passed away in 1981. During his time, the Rangers became a strong team, often competing for the Stanley Cup, which is the championship trophy in hockey.
Growing the NHL
William Jennings played a big part in a major change for the NHL in 1967. The league decided to grow from its original six teams to twelve teams. This was the first time the NHL had expanded so much. Jennings helped make this big step happen.
He also helped start the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1966. This award honors people who have done a lot for hockey in the United States. William Jennings himself won this award in 1971.
Honoring His Legacy
After his death, a special award was named in his honor: the William M. Jennings Trophy. This trophy is given to the goalie (or goalies) who play for the team that lets in the fewest goals during the regular season.
William Jennings was recognized for his great contributions to hockey. In 1975, he was chosen to be part of the Hockey Hall of Fame. This is a very high honor for anyone involved in hockey. In 1981, he was also inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
Helping Young Athletes
Beyond professional hockey, Jennings cared about young players. In 1966, he started the New York Metropolitan Hockey Association. This group gave young hockey players in the area a chance to play and develop their skills.
He also founded the Westchester Classic golf tournament in 1967. This event was created to raise money for good causes in Westchester County. It showed his commitment to helping his community.
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