Doug Grimston

Doug Grimston
Black and white photo of Grimston in a suit and tie, sitting at a desk with pen and paper
Born(1900-05-18)May 18, 1900
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
DiedSeptember 14, 1955(1955-09-14) (aged 55)
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park
Occupation(s)Businessman and parks commission chairman
Known forCanadian Amateur Hockey Association and British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association president

Douglas George Grimston (May 18, 1900 – September 14, 1955) was a Canadian ice hockey administrator who served as president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) from 1950 to 1952. He oversaw the establishment of the Major Series for the Alexander Cup and implemented a new deal for player contracts in senior ice hockey, in response to the Allan Cup championship being dominated by a small group of teams who sought to protect themselves from professional leagues recruiting their players. He opposed the National Hockey League wanting its junior ice hockey prospect players on stronger teams, which led to limits on the transfer of players to keep balanced competition for the Memorial Cup. After the 1952 Winter Olympics where the Canada men's national ice hockey team won the gold medal, Grimston recommended withdrawal from Olympic hockey since European nations would never agree to ice hockey rules which allowed physical play. Grimston later accused International Ice Hockey Federation vice-president Bunny Ahearne of financially exploiting of the Edmonton Mercurys on a European tour, which led to a physical altercation between them.

Grimston served as president of the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association from 1942 to 1947, and was credited by The Canadian Press for keeping junior ice hockey operational despite the lack of facilities and dwindling attendance during World War II. He also sat on the national committee to oversee minor ice hockey in Canada, and sought for the transparency of finances in amateur hockey. He served as a director for the New Westminster Royals and played a leading role in their successful bid to join the Western Hockey League in 1952. He was a vocal supporter of the Penticton Vees and led a committee to oversee travel arrangements for the team as it won the 1955 Ice Hockey World Championships for Canada. He was a member of multiple community service groups, served four terms as chairman of the New Westminster Parks Commission and was president of the local Rotary Club. He sought for the construction of the Queen's Park Stadium and to expand and beautify city parks. Grimston died in 1955 at age 55, was posthumously recognized by New Westminster with Grimston Park named in his honour the same year, and was described by Jimmy Dunn as "one of the most colourful and aggressive presidents the CAHA ever had".[1]

  1. ^ "Doug Grimston, 55, Ex-CAHA Head Dies". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. September 15, 1955. p. 44.Free access icon; "CAHA Past-Prexy Grimston Passes". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. September 15, 1955. p. 35.Free access icon