George Owen

Harvard George Owen Jr. (December 2, 1901 – March 4, 1986) was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey defenceman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Career Owen was a three-sport star at Harvard University, playing football, baseball and hockey. He was awarded the university's Wingate Cup for best all-around athletic ability.

After he graduated, Owen entered the brokerage business while continuing to play hockey for the Boston University Club. He was invited to play for the United States Olympic Team in 1924, but declined because of business obligations.

The Toronto Maple Leafs held Owen's professional rights; however, as Owen did not want to leave Massachusetts, the Maple Leafs traded his rights to the Boston Bruins on January 10, 1929, in exchange for Eric Pettinger. Owen played five seasons with the Bruins, pairing on defense with players including Lionel Hitchman and Eddie Shore, and won the Stanley Cup with the team in 1929.

Legend has it Owen was the first player to don a helmet in an NHL game, wearing the same leather helmet that he had worn when playing college football. However, Marty Burke of the Montreal Canadiens is known to have worn a helmet briefly during a game in December 1928, before Owen entered the NHL.

Following his playing career, Owen became head coach of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology men's ice hockey team. He later coached football, baseball and hockey at Milton Academy.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1918–19 Newton High School High-MA — — — — — — — — — — 1919–20 Harvard Crimson Ivy — — — — — — — — — — 1920–21 Harvard Crimson Ivy 11 10 0 10 — — — — — — 1921–22 Harvard Crimson Ivy — — — — — — — — — — 1922–23 Harvard Crimson Ivy — — — — — — — — — — 1923–24 Boston A. A. Unicorns USAHA 12 10 0 10 — — — — — — 1924–25 Harvard Crimson Ivy — — — — — — — — — — 1925–26 Boston A. A. Unicorns USAHA — — — — — 2 0 2 2 — 1926–27 Boston University Club MBHL — — — — — — — — — — 1927–28 Boston University Club MBHL — — — — — — — — — — 1928–29 Boston Bruins NHL 27 5 4 9 48 5 0 0 0 0 1929–30 Boston Bruins NHL 42 9 4 13 31 6 0 2 2 6 1930–31 Boston Bruins NHL 38 12 13 25 33 5 2 3 5 13 1931–32 Boston Bruins NHL 42 12 10 22 29 — — — — — 1932–33 Boston Bruins NHL 34 6 2 8 10 5 0 0 0 6 NHL totals 183 44 33 77 151 21 2 5 7 25