Howard Ronald Hornby

Position Center

Shoots Right

Height 5′ 8” / 172.72 cm

Weight 160 lbs / 72 kg

Born Oct 07, 1934

Died Oct 01, 2014 (Age: 79)

Birthplace Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada

Gender Male

Howie Hornby, a high-scoring centre for the Nelson Maple Leafs, was loaned to the Trail Smoke Eaters for the 1962 Allan Cup playoffs. He helped them win the Canadian senior championship before skating for the Smoke Eaters at the 1962 world championship in Colorado.

The 5-foot-8, 160-pound centre was among the top scorers in his eight seasons in the Western International Hockey League. His most productive season came in 1963-64 when he scored 36 goals and added 41 assists.

Hornby won the Howard Anderson Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable and sportsmanlike player in 1962.

Though rarely penalized, Hornby took part in a notorious stick-swinging duel with Buddy Bodman of the Spokane Jets. Hornby needed 18 stitches to close a gash caused by Bodman’s shattered stick. Bodman was suspended 23 games and Hornby for six.

Born in the Saskatchewan village of Asquith, Hornby played junior hockey for the Wesleys in nearby Saskatoon. He also played a season of junior with the Humboldt Indians. He later played senior hockey with the Kamloops Elks, Kamloops Chiefs, North Bay Trappers and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

The centre scored five goals in 29 games with the Johnstown Jets of the Eastern Hockey League in 1957-58.

After two years of retirement, Hornby returned to play for the Maple Leafs in 1968-69. He scored eights goals and eight assists.

Hornby owned a furniture store in Nelson before becoming a realtor. More recently, he rented electric scooters.

Source: Benched

Had a long playing career that spanned almost 20 years. He first learned to skate on his father’s flooded backyard rink.

Played his junior hockey in Saskatoon, but played the majority of his senior career for the Nelson Maple Leafs.

Was mainly a center, but could also play as a left wing. Scored a total of 753 points (332+421) in 679 games. Retired in 1969.

Source: hockeyarchives.info