Leader, Al
Date of Death: 1982-05-08Date of Birth: 1903-12-04
Born in Barnsley, Manitoba, Leader devoted his life to hockey. He resigned May 19, 1969 as President of the Western Hockey League after 25 years of continuous service. Leader began his hockey career at 16 as a player around Watson, Saskatchewan. His first administrative post was as secretary of the Seattle City League in 1933 and in the next seven years he played, coached and managed teams as well as officiated hockey. In 1940 Leader organized a Defence League and from this he established contacts with pro hockey that, in 1944, led to his election as Secretary-Manager of the Pacific Coast Hockey League. By 1948 the league had turned professional and Al Leader became its first President.