Joe Turner

Joseph Turner (March 28, 1919 – December 13, 1944 or January 21, 1945) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played one game in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1941–42 season. He later served in the United States Army during the Second World War, and was killed in action during the Battle of Hürtgen Forest in 1945.

Biography

Turner was born in Windsor, Ontario. He played with the Guelph Indians of the Ontario Hockey Association and led the league in goals allowed on three occasions. Detroit, which held his rights, sent him to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Indianapolis Capitals, in 1941. There he played in the first AHL All-Star Game and was a first team All-Star as goaltender. He would also lead the Capitals to a Calder Cup championship. On February 5, 1942, he replaced an injured Johnny Mowers in a 3–3 tie against the Toronto Maple Leafs for his only appearance in the NHL.

After the season, he signed up for the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company K, 311th Infantry, 78th Division and fought in World War II. He was originally classified as Missing in Action in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany on December 13, 1944. For his service, the International Hockey League named its championship trophy, the Turner Cup, after him.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP W L T Min GA SO GAA GP W L T Min GA SO GAA 1933–34 Toronto Canoe Club OHA 9 — — — 540 24 0 2.72 2 — — — 120 13 0 6.50 1934–35 Windsor Motors MOHL 3 — — — 180 13 0 4.33 — — — — — — — — 1935–36 Windsor Motors MOHL — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1936–37 Windsor Bulldogs MOHL 26 — — — 1560 91 0 3.50 5 1 2 2 300 13 0 2.68 1937–38 Stratford Midgets OHA 14 — — — 840 33 0 2.36 7 2 3 1 420 23 1 3.28 1938–39 Guelph Indians OHA 14 — — — 840 38 2 2.71 2 — — — 120 7 0 3.50 1939–40 Detroit Holzbaugh MOHL 36 27 3 6 1620 76 6 2.11 12 9 3 0 730 27 2 2.22 1939–40 Windsor Chryslers MOHL 1 1 0 0 60 1 0 1.00 — — — — — — — — 1939–40 London Mohawks OHA Sr 1 1 0 0 60 1 0 1.00 — — — — — — — — 1940–41 Detroit Holzbaugh MOHL 27 13 10 4 1620 84 1 3.11 7 4 3 0 420 25 0 3.57 1941–42 Detroit Red Wings NHL 1 0 0 1 70 3 0 2.57 — — — — — — — — 1941–42 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 52 34 10 7 3175 129 4 2.44 10 7 3 — 630 34 0 3.24 NHL totals 1 0 0 1 70 3 0 2.57 — — — — — — — —