Doug Grimston

Douglas George Grimston
Born	(1900-05-18) 18 May 1900 New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Died	14 September 1955(1955-09-14) (aged 55)
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey executive, businessman
Known for	President of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (1950–1952)

Douglas George Grimston (May 18, 1900 – September 14, 1955) was a prominent Canadian ice hockey executive and businessman who held the presidency of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) between 1950 and 1952. During his tenure, he initiated the Major Series competition for the Alexander Cup and implemented a revised player contract framework within senior ice hockey aimed at curbing the dominance of a few teams by protecting players from being recruited by professional clubs. Grimston resisted the National Hockey League’s attempts to allocate junior prospects to stronger teams, which led to restrictions on player transfers designed to preserve competitive equity in the Memorial Cup. After Canada secured the gold medal at the 1952 Winter Olympics, he proposed withdrawing from Olympic hockey competitions due to disputes over rules concerning physical play. Subsequently, Grimston accused International Ice Hockey Federation vice-president Bunny Ahearne of financially exploiting the Edmonton Mercurys during their European tour, culminating in a physical altercation.

As president of the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association from 1942 until 1947, Grimston was recognized for maintaining junior ice hockey operations despite wartime difficulties such as limited facilities and reduced spectator turnout. He contributed to the national committee responsible for overseeing minor ice hockey and advocated for enhanced financial accountability within amateur hockey organizations. Serving as a director of the New Westminster Royals, Grimston played an instrumental role in their successful application to join the Western Hockey League in 1952. A devoted supporter of the Penticton Vees, he chaired their travel committee during their triumphant campaign at the 1955 Ice Hockey World Championships.

Outside of hockey, Grimston was deeply involved in civic activities, completing four terms as chairman of the New Westminster Parks Commission and presiding over the local chapter of the Rotary Club. He championed projects such as developing Queen's Park Stadium and enhancing park beautification efforts. Passing away in 1955 at age 55, Grimston was commemorated by New Westminster through the dedication of Grimston Park in his honor that same year. Sports executive Jimmy Dunn described him as "one of the most colourful and aggressive presidents the CAHA ever had."

Early life and family

Born on May 18, 1900, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Douglas George Grimston was the son of George Grimston and Jean McCormack, both Protestant immigrants from England. In his youth, he participated in baseball, soccer, and lacrosse. He played for the British Columbia Manufacturing Company baseball team, which secured New Westminster city championships in 1920 and 1923, and also competed with Sapperton AFC soccer club, winning second division titles and Lower Mainland Cup championships in 1923 and 1924.

On September 5, 1928, Grimston married Marjorie Evelyn Gilley, a schoolteacher from New Westminster. The couple had four children—one son and three daughters—and remained together until her passing in 1952.

Business and community life

Grimston’s professional career began with Westminster Ice Limited, a family-owned trucking enterprise specializing in ice delivery. He subsequently dedicated twenty-five years to Westminster Hog Fuels, where he served as managing director. Active within community circles, Grimston was affiliated with local Masonic lodge and Elks of Canada chapters. His leadership roles included presidencies of the New Westminster Rotary Club, junior board of trade, and Vancouver Golf Club.

As a member of the board for the New Westminster Royals hockey team, Grimston enforced a smoking prohibition at Queen's Park Arena despite concerns that it might negatively affect attendance figures; he even offered to absorb any financial shortfalls resulting from this policy. Additionally, he presided over the New Westminster Athletic Association and was pivotal in facilitating the Royals’ admission into the Western Hockey League in 1952. His community service extended to four terms as chairman of the New Westminster Parks Commission, where he advocated for park expansions and spearheaded construction efforts for Queen's Park Stadium. However, he was not re-elected to the commission in 1954.

BCAHA leadership

Grimston became part of the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association (BCAHA) executive team in 1938 and was chosen as vice-president in 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he announced the suspension of games along the Pacific coast due to blackout regulations, with plans to restart play under modified conditions.

In 1941, Grimston predicted a downturn in senior ice hockey within British Columbia, highlighting sponsor exhaustion and the possible relegation of teams such as the Kimberley Dynamiters and Trail Smoke Eaters to intermediate level to mitigate expenses. Despite local media refuting this, the West Kootenay League ceased operations that year as a result of World War II.

Upon his election as BCAHA president in 1942, Grimston took on a national role overseeing minor hockey in 1943 and was appointed trustee of the Edmonton Journal Cup, awarded to Western Canada’s intermediate champions.

In 1944, when Nanaimo Clippers players Norm and Jack Kirk requested increased compensation for their amateur participation, Grimston advocated for openness regarding amateur hockey finances instead of hidden payments.

By 1945, Grimston opposed governmental efforts to regulate sports similarly to commercial enterprises, stressing that hockey’s achievements stemmed from dedicated leadership. That same year, he proposed canceling the Allan Cup final slated for Vancouver due to limited Eastern Canada team involvement and wartime financial pressures. The playoffs were subsequently canceled—the first such interruption since 1909.

The Allan Cup competition resumed in 1946. Although both the Vancouver Canucks and New Westminster Royals showed interest, scheduling conflicts with the Pacific Coast Hockey League restricted participation to New Westminster alone.

Grimston extended an invitation for the CAHA to hold its 1945 general meeting in British Columbia; however, it was postponed until after the war in 1946. He hosted delegates with visits to Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo. Throughout his five-year tenure as president, he was credited with maintaining junior hockey in British Columbia despite wartime difficulties. His successor was F. F. Becker in 1947.

CAHA vice-presidency

In May 1947, Grimston was elected second vice-president of the CAHA, securing more votes than Jimmy Dunn, president of the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association. The 1947 general meeting addressed a new financial arrangement with the NHL aimed at increasing payments for amateurs signed to professional contracts and proposed establishing a higher tier of senior hockey competition due to dominance by a few teams in Allan Cup playoffs. During his initial season as vice-president, Grimston pursued a new agreement regulating player transfers between leagues to resolve ongoing disputes involving Western Canadian and PCHL teams.

Ahead of the 1948 general meeting, proposals emerged suggesting semi-professional contracts for junior and senior players. Grimston participated in a seven-member committee evaluating suggestions from NHL president Clarence Campbell and Ontario Hockey Association president George Panter but chose not to submit them for delegate voting. The committee also dismissed removing "amateur" from CAHA’s name, emphasizing that its community-based teams reinvested earnings into developing minor hockey.

Following Norman Dawe’s sudden passing, Grimston was promoted to first vice-president and appointed chairman of CAHA’s resolutions committee. This committee invited the Newfoundland Amateur Hockey Association to join CAHA after Newfoundland became Canada’s tenth province in 1949. To equalize competition for the Memorial and Allan Cups and address British Columbia’s absence from the 1948 Memorial Cup playoffs, the committee allowed BCAHA junior teams to recruit four import players per team during playoffs (compared to two elsewhere) and permitted six imports per senior team for BCAHA and Maritime Amateur Hockey Association squads (versus four elsewhere). The committee also sought revisions to the professional-amateur agreement with the NHL aimed at preventing talent concentration; Grimston asserted that while the NHL could determine when a junior player turned professional, it should not control transfers or assign players to specific teams.

Grimston was re-elected first vice-president in June 1949 and chaired the rules and regulations committee. The committee considered several proposals regarding icing rule changes; Grimston advocated eliminating penalties that further disadvantaged teams playing shorthanded. A compromise was reached whereby icing infractions would not be called if a defending player attempted to gain control of the puck.

Initial term

Grimston assumed the presidency of the CAHA on June 10, 1950, taking over from Al Pickard. During the general assembly, the CAHA resolved that its five leading senior leagues would compete for a newly established trophy positioned above the Allan Cup tier. The Western Canada Senior Hockey League, OHA Senior A League, Quebec Senior Hockey League, Maritime Major Hockey League, and Cape Breton Senior Hockey League sought to formalize contractual agreements due to the high costs associated with players who could easily depart without binding commitments.

Grimston advocated for the stabilization of Allan Cup contests by enforcing contracts containing termination clauses, aiming to prevent leagues from defecting and turning professional. The CAHA consented to contracts that bound players to their teams for the entire season, provided first refusal rights for subsequent seasons, and permitted professional clubs to draft players from senior ranks.

In July 1950, Grimston revealed plans for the CAHA to organize a Major Series featuring an east-versus-west playoff format similar to the Allan Cup. A minimum player salary of C$1,000 was established, with Maritime teams allowed four additional import players to bolster weaker lineups. Opposition arose from professional leagues concerned about losing control over players on reserve lists, which caused an indefinite postponement of the Major Series.

By September 1950, Grimston reinstated the Major Series involving the same five leagues. Although teams from the BCAHA contemplated joining, Grimston advised them to remain at the more cost-effective Allan Cup level. In November 1950, he announced that the Alexander Cup, donated by Viscount Alexander, would serve as the championship trophy for the Major Series. Contrary to initial plans, players were not signed to formal contracts; however, an agreement with the NHL restricted player drafts.

Grimston appointed the Lethbridge Maple Leafs, an intermediate senior squad, to represent Canada at the 1951 Ice Hockey World Championships and on a European tour. The team completed the World Championships undefeated. Grimston commended their exemplary sportsmanship and dignified representation of Canada.

Subsequent term

In May 1951, Grimston was re-elected as CAHA president. The organization continued with the Major Series, mandating participating leagues to post a $5,000 bond and guarantee a champion by a national deadline. Grimston later confirmed that only the Quebec Senior Hockey League and Maritime Major Hockey League would take part in the 1951–52 Major Series. The CAHA modified its icing rule to permit the defending team to shoot from behind its own blue line; Grimston opposed this change, believing it would diminish offensive opportunities during power plays. This amendment risked conflicting with NHL rules due to prior agreements on standardized ice hockey regulations.

In July 1951, Grimston announced that the Edmonton Mercurys would represent Canada at the ice hockey at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo; this team had previously secured victory at the 1950 Ice Hockey World Championships. Grimston was appointed as an ex-officio member of the IIHF European executive council responsible for overseeing Olympic hockey affairs. Following King George VI's passing, Grimston ordered that no CAHA games be scheduled on February 15, 1952, in observance of the funeral.

Swiss media outlets criticized physical play exhibited by Canada and the United States men's national ice hockey team, questioning hockey’s appropriateness within the Olympic context. Grimston responded by stating that matches were relatively mild compared to North American standards and emphasized hockey’s significance as a major Olympic attraction. He also indicated he would not oppose Canada withdrawing from Olympic hockey competition if deemed necessary.

Canada and the United States concluded their final round-robin game in a draw, securing gold and silver medals respectively; a Moscow newspaper alleged collusion aimed at excluding Czechoslovakia from medal contention. Grimston dismissed these accusations as unfounded and linked them to Soviet intentions to enter Olympic hockey in 1956. He reportedly referred to Soviet officials as "crybabies," despite language barriers impeding direct communication.

The CAHA arranged European tours and accommodations for Canadian teams through travel agent Bunny Ahearne, who also served as IIHF vice-president. On February 25, 1952, in Oslo, Grimston and Ahearne became involved in an undisclosed physical altercation. Journalist Jim Coleman reported that Grimston struck Ahearne, who retaliated by kicking him; however, Grimston later clarified that he only shook Ahearne's shirt without throwing a punch. The conflict arose from perceived exploitation of the Edmonton Mercurys during their tour, including inadequate player allowances of merely five pounds per week. The team threatened to curtail their tour amid suspicions that Ahearne was diverting profits beyond his agreed 10% commission.

Upon returning from Europe, Grimston recommended that Canada withdraw from Olympic ice hockey competition due to differences in European playing styles—such as absence of body checking or defensive shadowing—and dismissed claims of goodwill resulting from European tours as "plain bunk." He argued that European media frequently criticized Canadian physicality in play.

1952 general meeting

The Canadian Press expected tensions during the 1952 CAHA general assembly, anticipating Grimston would demand Ahearne's resignation as the European delegate. Instead, Ahearne stepped down voluntarily, and the CAHA accepted his resignation without debate, acknowledging both his considerable influence and the importance of maintaining European representation.

The CAHA approved Grimston's negotiated arrangement with the NHL and its affiliated minor leagues, which established a cutoff date of January 15 for drafting players from the Major Series, except in emergency situations. This measure was designed to prevent player depletion during the Alexander Trophy playoffs.

To preserve competitive fairness in the Memorial Cup playoffs and curb the talent migration caused by professional teams relocating prospects to Eastern Canada, the CAHA prohibited junior player transfers from Western to Eastern Canada for a two-year period. Grimston confirmed that this policy was consistent with existing agreements involving the NHL.

During the 1950–51 season, Grimston had suspended Guyle Fielder due to his failure to report to a Chicago Black Hawks minor league affiliate after signing a C-form—a contentious contract clause that provided financial incentives for future commitments. The C-form drew widespread criticism for its restrictive nature. Consequently, the resolutions committee sought amendments concerning the C-form, limitations on reserve list sizes, and NHL rights over sponsorship of junior players and teams. Grimston clarified that these proposals were intended to voice discontent rather than apply direct pressure on the NHL.

W. B. George of the Ottawa District Hockey Association was elected as CAHA president, succeeding Grimston.

Later life and honours

Following his term as CAHA president, Grimston continued to play an active role in negotiating NHL agreements. His efforts were recognized with several accolades: a citation award from the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States in 1952, the Ontario Hockey Association Gold Stick Award in 1953, life membership in the BCAHA, and an honorary presidency within the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association.

In July 1954, Grimston chaired a committee responsible for managing travel logistics for the 1954 Allan Cup champions, the Penticton Vees, who were chosen to represent Canada at the 1955 Ice Hockey World Championships in West Germany. Confident in their skill level, he opposed incorporating NHL players into the team roster, asserting that the Vees were fully capable of securing victory without additional imports. He arranged a series of exhibition matches across Europe prior to the championships and anticipated further games against Canadian military squads afterward. The Vees dominated the competition by winning all eight games and achieving a commanding 60-6 goal differential, thereby reclaiming Canada’s world championship title.

Grimston passed away at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster on September 14, 1955, following a six-month struggle with colon cancer. His burial took place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.

His obituary in The British Columbian emphasized his leadership within Canadian amateur hockey and his dedication to local sports initiatives and charitable causes. CAHA president Jimmy Dunn described him as "one of the most colourful and aggressive presidents" in CAHA history. In November 1955, Westside Park in New Westminster was renamed Grimston Park in his honour, accompanied by the installation of a memorial cairn. Additionally, the BCAHA created the Doug Grimston Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to British Columbia’s AAA bantam hockey champions.