Dudley Garrett

Dudley Morine "Red" Garrett (July 24, 1924 – November 24, 1944) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman whose brief but promising career was tragically cut short by war. During the 1942–43 season, he appeared in 23 games with the New York Rangers, showcasing potential as a steady defenceman. However, with World War II ongoing, Garrett enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, and his ship was torpedoed by German submarine U-1228 and sank rapidly, killing all 90 crew members on board. To honour his sacrifice and the career that might have been, the American Hockey League established the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award in 1947. The award is presented each year to the league's most outstanding rookie, preserving Garrett's legacy in the sport he loved.

Biography Garrett was born in Toronto, Ontario and educated at Hodgson Senior Public School, now known as Hodgson Middle School, located in North Toronto. He was a promising young hockey defenceman originally part of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization before being traded, along with Hank Goldup, to the Rangers in 1942 in a deal that brought future Hart Trophy winner Babe Pratt to Toronto. As World War II escalated, Garrett joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served as an able seaman aboard the Flower-class corvette . On November 24, 1944, during a convoy escort mission in the Cabot Strait during the Battle of the St. Lawrence, the ship was torpedoed by German submarine U-1228 and sank within minutes. Tragically, all 90 crew members on board perished, including seven officers and 83 ratings. To honour his memory and potential as a player, the American Hockey League established the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award in 1947, awarded annually to the league's top rookie.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1940–41 Toronto Army Shamrocks TIHL — — — — — — — — — — 1941–42 Toronto Marlboros OHA 18 2 5 7 61 2 1 1 2 6 1941–42 Toronto Red Indians TIHL 12 1 4 5 22 — — — — — 1942–43 New York Rangers NHL 23 1 1 2 18 — — — — — 1942–43 Providence Reds AHL 6 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 1942–43 Sydney Navy NSDHL 1 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 1943–44 Toronto Navy OHA Sr 13 0 1 1 12 — — — — — 1943–44 Cornwallis Navy NSDHL 4 4 5 9 18 3 1 0 1 15 NHL totals 23 1 1 2 18 — — — — —