Dit Clapper

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Lore & Background

Clapper began as a defenceman before coach Art Ross moved him to right wing in 1927. His first NHL goal came just ten seconds into his first shift against the Chicago Black Hawks. Although he played in the 1927 Stanley Cup Finals, the Bruins lost that series to the Ottawa Senators; Clapper's first championship would not come until 1929. By the 1930 season, liberalized passing rules allowed the "Dynamite Line" of Weiland, Gainor, and Clapper to break records; Weiland led the league in scoring while Clapper finished second with a career-best 57 points and 28 goals. The trio contributed significantly to Boston's offensive output that year. After Gainor was traded, Clapper eventually took over as team captain in 1936, leading the squad through the mid-1930s alongside Eddie Shore, who remained on the roster until 1940.

In Their Own Story

In the 1937 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Montreal Maroons, an unusual incident occurred. After high-sticking Dave Trottier twice in the head, referee Clarence Campbell called Clapper a profane name. Clapper responded by knocking Campbell to the ice with a single punch. While severe punishment was expected, Campbell pleaded for leniency, admitting he had provoked the Bruin; Clapper received only a $100 fine. Years later, on January 8, 1941, Clapper scored his 200th career goal at Maple Leaf Gardens. Demonstrating his well-known sportsmanship, he presented the stick used for the milestone to Maple Leafs assistant general manager Frank Selke as a token of admiration. In 1938, Ross moved him back to defense, where he formed a powerhouse pairing with Eddie Shore. This shift led to First Team All-Star selections in 1939, 1940, and 1941, making Clapper the first player ever named an All-Star at both forward and defense.

Reader's Guide

Clapper's career was defined by adaptability and leadership. He served as team captain longer than any NHL player until Ray Bourque surpassed his total in the 1990s. In 1945, he became the Bruins' only player-coach, leading the team to a Stanley Cup appearance in 1946 (though they lost to Montreal). During the 1942 season, he suffered a severed tendon colliding with Toronto's Bingo Kampman but returned the following year. In 1944, he broke Hooley Smith's career record for games played, a mark held until Maurice Richard surpassed it in 1957. His final game was on February 12, 1947, a 10–1 victory over the New York Rangers where Bill Cowley broke the league scoring record. On that day, the Bruins retired his #5 jersey and immediately inducted him into the Hall of Fame. He coached three more seasons before resigning in 1949 due to unease about coaching former friends.

Did You Know?

• Clapper received his nickname "Dit" as a child because he lisped his name, sounding like "Dit."
• He was the first NHL player to play 20 seasons and the first non-goaltender to play at age 40.
• Clapper ran for federal office in 1945 as a candidate for Peterborough-Victoria.