 Ritchie as coach of the Roughriders, c. 1920s | |
| Nickname(s) | The Silver Fox |
|---|---|
| Born: | December 12, 1890 Cobden, Ontario, Canada |
| Died: | February 21, 1966 (aged 75) Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Career history | |
| As administrator | |
| c.1918–c.1922 | Victoria Senior Hockey Team |
| 1921–1928 | Regina Rugby Club/Regina Roughriders |
| 1923–c.1930 | Regina Pats |
| As coach | |
| 1923–c.1930 (Hockey), 1925–? (Football) | Regina Pats |
| 1928–1932, 1935, 1942 | Regina Roughriders |
| As player | |
| c.1910–c.1915 | Saskatchewan Rugby Team |
| As scout | |
| 1933–1966 | New York Rangers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career stats | |
Alvin Horace "Al" Ritchie (December 12, 1890 – February 21, 1966), also known by his nickname "the Silver Fox", was a Canadian football player, coach, and administrator who was the head coach of the Regina Roughriders from 1928 to 1932, in 1935, and in 1942. He had many accomplishments and honors, including being named to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (as a charter member), Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. The Al Ritchie Memorial Stadium, Al Ritchie Arena, and Al Ritchie Neighborhood are named in his honor.
In the 1910s, prior to serving in World War I, Ritchie played for a Saskatchewan rugby team and was a player-coach in baseball, hockey and lacrosse. From about 1918 to about 1922, he was the coach of the Victoria Senior Hockey team, leading them to the championship in 1921 and in 1922. In addition to coaching the Roughriders, he was their manager through most of the 1920s, while also coaching the Regina Pats football and ice hockey teams (being the only person to win the championship in both sports). While coaching and managing the Roughriders from 1928 to 1932, they made the Grey Cup each season, but lost in all five matches. Ritchie also worked as a scout for the New York Rangers from 1933 until his death in 1966.