Frank Sheppard

Joseph Francis Xavier Sheppard (October 5, 1905 — February 20, 1996) was a Canadian ice hockey player who played eight games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Cougars during the 1927–28 season. Born in Montreal, Quebec, but grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba. He was the younger brother of Johnny Sheppard. The obituary in the Vancouver Sun issue date February 22, 1996 states he was born on October 5, 1905, not October 19, 1905.

Playing career Sheppard mainly played in the American Hockey Association (AHA), spending six seasons there between 1926 and 1932. He signed with the Detroit Cougars on September 9, 1927. His NHL debut came on November 15 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he scored his first goal in that game. Sheppard played eight games with Detroit before being traded to the St. Paul Saints of the AHA on December 19, 1927. After his time in the AHA Sheppard would play five seasons split between the Western Canada Hockey League, North West Hockey League, and Pacific Coast Hockey League, retiring in 1937. In 1966, he was arrested and given a suspended sentence for begging on the streets of Vancouver.

One Sheppard's sons, James Frank (Jim) Sheppard (born 1939) was the former chief executive officer of machinery company Finning, and forestry product company Canfor. He was also an economic advisor to British Columbia Premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1925–26 Winnipeg Maroons CHL 29 3 3 6 16 — — — — — 1926–27 Detroit Millionaires MOHL — — — — — — — — — — 1926–27 Detroit Greyhounds AHA 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1927–28 Detroit Cougars NHL 8 1 1 2 0 — — — — — 1927–28 St. Paul Saints AHA 33 12 4 16 32 — — — — — 1928–29 St. Paul Saints AHA 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1928–29 Tulsa Oilers AHA 40 21 10 31 31 4 2 0 2 2 1929–30 Tulsa Oilers AHA 43 11 6 17 41 7 1 1 2 2 1930–31 Tulsa Oilers AHA 48 21 11 32 54 4 1 1 2 8 1931–32 Tulsa Oilers AHA 41 8 4 12 50 — — — — — 1932–33 Regina Capitals/Vancouver Maroons WCHL 27 19 13 32 23 2 1 0 1 2 1933–34 Edmonton Eskimos NWHL 7 1 2 3 2 — — — — — 1934–35 Calgary Tigers/Edmonton Eskimos NWHL 14 1 4 5 14 — — — — — 1935–36 Vancouver Lions NWHL 39 10 7 17 50 7 3 3 6 5 1936–37 Vancouver Lions PCHL 7 2 1 3 4 — — — — — AHA totals 209 73 35 108 208 15 4 2 6 12 NHL totals 8 1 1 2 0 — — — — —