For many of the prairie ball players, baseball was just a sideline.  Their main attraction was hockey -- the national game.  At least eight Hall of Fame hockey stars suited up on prairie diamonds.  Dozens more toiled away in the minors or on amateur clubs or, in the case of Seth Martin, on the international scene. 

Hank Bassen, goalie who played for nine seasons in the NHL, beginning with the 1954-55 season with Chicago.  Finished his career in 1967-68 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bev Bentley, goalie.  Played 
from 1947-48 until 1966-67, mainly in the Western League.  

Doug Bentley, left wing.  13 seasons in the NHL, mainly with Chicago.  Played from 1938-39 to 1961-62.  Hall of Fame. 
 

Max Bentley, centre.  A 12-year career in the NHL, six of them with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Played from 1938-39 until 1958-59 when he finished his playing career with the Saskatoon Quakers.  Hall of Fame.
 

Les Colwill, right wing.  After four years in junior hockey with the Lethbridge Native Sons, Colwill played three seasons in the Western League before a full season with the New York Rangers in 1958-59.  He ended his pro career back in the WHL in 1959-60.

Emile Francis, goalie, coach, general manager.  Played with 12 pro teams before retiring at the end of the1959-60 seasons. Played six seasons in the NHL. Coach and general manager in the NHL for more than 20 years, until the end of the 1982-83 season. Hall of Fame.

Bill Gadsby, defence. 20-year NHL career with Chicago, New York, and Detroit.  Played from 1946-47 to 1965-66. Hall of Fame.

Glen Hall, goalie. 18 years in the NHL with Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis.  Hall of Fame. 

Gordie Howe, right wing.  Incredible career spanned six decades. First played with Detroit in 1946-47.  At age 52, played his final NHL season in 1979-80. 
 Hall of Fame. 
 

Earl Ingarfield, centre.  13 seasons in the NHL.  Played from 1954-55 to 1970-71.

Bob Kabel had a 16-year career in pro hockey including a stint in the NHL with the New York Rangers in 1959-60 and 1960-61.

Walter "Gus" Kyle.  Began in 1941-42 and played until 1955-56, three seasons in the NHL.

Eddie Mazur, left wing.  Parts of six seasons in the NHL, mainly with Montreal.  Played from 1948-49 to 1964-65.
 

Jackie McLeod, right wing.  Five seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers.  Played from 1949-50 until 1960-61. 

Seth Martin, goalie.  Played one season in the NHL during a career in which he was an outstanding player for Canada in international competitions. 

Johnny McKenzie, 5'9" right winger. A  24 year hockey career including a dozen years in the NHL with Chicago, Detroit, New York and Boston.  McKenzie also played for seven seasons in the World Hockey Association.
 

Don Metz   Nine seasons with Toronto Maple Leafs, beginning in 1938-39. 

Nick Metz  From 1934-35 to 1947-48, 12 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 
 

Bill Murray  Long time Intermediate A star with Dauphin Kings. 

Bert Olmstead.  A 15-year career in the NHL which included stops with Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.  Hall of Fame

Metro Prystai, centre.  12 years in the NHL in a career which started in 1947-48.

Terry Sawchuk, goalie. 21 years in the NHL, with Detroit, Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York. Hall of Fame.
 

Vic Stasiuk, left wing.  15 years in the NHL in a hockey career which spanned 1948-49 to 1965-66.  Chicago, Detroit, Boston.
 

Don Stewart, stalwart of Lloydminster's  Intermediate A clubs.

Bob Turner, defence. After junior hockey with the Regina Pats, he played for two seasons in the Quebec Hockey League before winning a spot with the Montreal Canadiens,  He was with the club for six seasons during the glory years of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Turner also played two winters with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Gord Vejprava, centre.  An 18-year career, mainly in the AHL and WHL.  Played from 1952-53 until 1969-70.