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{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player and executive}}
{{good article}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2012}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Red Dutton<br />{{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Canada|CM]]}}
| halloffame = 1958
| image = Red Dutton, Calgary Tigers.jpg
| caption = Dutton with the [[Calgary Tigers]], {{c.|1921}}
| image_size = 230px
| birth_date = {{birth date|1897|7|23|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Russell, Manitoba]], Canada
| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|3|15|1897|7|23|mf=y}}
| death_place = [[Calgary]], Alberta, Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 185
| position = [[Defenceman|Defence]]
| shoots = Right
| played_for = [[Calgary Tigers]]<br>[[Montreal Maroons]]<br>[[New York Americans]]
| career_start = 1921
| career_end = 1936
| module=
{{Infobox officeholder|embed=yes
| order = 2nd [[NHL commissioner|President of the National Hockey League]]
| term_start = 1943
| term_end = 1946
| predecessor = [[Frank Calder]]
| successor = [[Clarence Campbell]]
}}
}}
'''Norman Alexander Dutton''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Canada|CM]]}} (July 23, 1897 – March 15, 1987) was a Canadian [[ice hockey]] player, coach and executive. Commonly known as '''Red Dutton''', and earlier by the nickname "Mervyn", he played for the [[Calgary Tigers]] of the [[Western Canada Hockey League]] (WCHL) and the [[Montreal Maroons]] and [[New York Americans]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL).  A rugged and physical [[defenceman (ice hockey)|defenceman]], Dutton often led his team in [[penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]], won the WCHL championship in 1924 as a member of the Tigers and was twice named a WCHL All-Star.

Dutton coached and managed the Americans, and later purchased the team before suspending operations in 1942 due to World War II.  He served as the second [[NHL Commissioner|president]] of the NHL between 1943 and 1946 before resigning the position after the NHL's owners reneged on a promise to allow the Americans to resume operations following the war.  He served as a [[Stanley Cup]] trustee for 37 years but otherwise limited his involvement with the NHL following the Americans' demise. He was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1958.

A successful businessman, Dutton operated a construction company that built Calgary's [[McMahon Stadium]] in 1960 and he served for a time as the president of the [[Calgary Stampeders]] football club and later the [[Calgary Exhibition and Stampede]]. He was invested as a member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1981 and is honoured by both the [[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame|Manitoba Hockey]] and [[Alberta Sports Hall of Fame|Alberta Sports]] Halls of Fame.  He was posthumously awarded the [[Lester Patrick Trophy]] in 1993 in recognition of his contributions to the game of hockey in the United States.

He was the last surviving former player of the [[Calgary Tigers]].

==Early life==
Dutton was born in [[Russell, Manitoba]] on July 23, 1897.<ref name="mhhof"/><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Calgary Herald |date=June 15, 1986 |title=Dutton glances back over travelled roads |page=17 |last=Keyser |first=Tom |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g3dkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ln8NAAAAIBAJ&dq=red-dutton&pg=5615%2C2729543 |access-date=July 4, 2012}}</ref><!--<ref name="BlazeMag">{{cite journal |last=Shea |first=Kevin |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton: Calgary's early hockey hero |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2004 |page=23}}</ref>--> His father, Bill, was a successful contractor who helped build Canada's transcontinental railway system,<ref name="MGBillDutton">{{cite news |last=De Geer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XYMtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cZkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7287,2214942 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=December 12, 1953 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |page=12}}</ref> and the younger Dutton often helped his father at his work when he was a boy.<ref name="OCStampede">{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Andy |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_9IxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b-QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3710%2C2504944 |title=Calgary's incomparable Stampede gets a boss man to match |work=Ottawa Citizen |pages=2–3, 28}}</ref> He had at least two elder brothers,<ref name="RLPColeman">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Jim |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FpNVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GEANAAAAIBAJ&pg=3412,1543299 |title=Jim Coleman's column for July 23 |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=July 23, 1982 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |page=A12}}</ref> and a sister.<ref name="HeraldObit">{{cite news |last=Slade |first=Daryl |title=Rugged Hall of Famer never attained his goal of winning Stanley Cup |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 16, 1987 |page=E1}}</ref>

His given name was Norman Alexander Dutton, but his birth names were quickly ignored.  A family friend of the Duttons refused to call him Norman as the name had a negative connotation for her, so she instead called him "Mervyn", a name that stuck.<ref name="CHStampede1960">{{cite news |title=Stampede honor highlights career |work=Calgary Herald |date=July 11, 1960 |pages=19, 25}}</ref> His friends called him "Red" after the colour of his hair, and to most, he was known as Mervyn "Red" Dutton.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers">{{cite book |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |title=Players: The ultimate A–Z guide of everyone who has ever played in the NHL |publisher=Doubleday Canada |year=2003 |location=Toronto |isbn=0-385-25999-9 |pages=223–224}}</ref>

Dutton attended school at [[St. John's College, University of Manitoba|St. John's College]] in [[Winnipeg]].<ref name="LOHBio">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton biography |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref> He left school in 1915 to volunteer with the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]] (CEF) in [[World War I]] and served with the [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]].<ref name="MGBillDutton" /> He lied about his birth date on his CEF enlistment papers as he was not yet 18, and served for four years.<ref name="RLPColeman" />  Dutton fought in the [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]] in 1917 where he suffered a [[shrapnel shell|shrapnel]] wound to his leg serious enough that doctors pressed for amputation.<ref name="BlazeMag">{{cite journal |last=Shea |first=Kevin |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton: Calgary's early hockey hero |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2004 |page=23}}</ref>  Dutton refused and spent the following 18 months working to recover full use of his leg.  He played hockey almost constantly to regain strength, at one point playing in seven different Winnipeg leagues at the same time.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" />

Following the war, Dutton sought to build his own contracting business.  However, an [[depression (economics)|economic depression]] in 1920 forced its closure. He then worked in a packing plant in Winnipeg that also ceased operations. Penniless, with only his pride preventing him from asking his father for help, he was met by the owner of a hockey team in [[Calgary]] who had sought him out. Dutton was offered $2,500 to play in the Alberta city.<ref name="OCStampede" />

==Playing career==
[[File:1924 Calgary Tigers.jpg|thumb|right|The Calgary Tigers pose in Montreal prior to the 1924 Stanley Cup Finals. Dutton is in the front row, second from the left.|alt=Twelve men pose on the steps in front of a building. They are wearing suits, long jackets and hats.]]
Dutton joined the Calgary Canadians of Alberta's [[Big-4 League]] for the 1920–21 season,<ref name="LOHBio" /> then moved onto the [[Calgary Tigers]] of the [[Western Canada Hockey League]] (WCHL) in [[1921–22 WCHL season|1921–22]] where he scored 16 goals and 21 points in 22 games.<ref name="LOHStats">{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&page=statsawards&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton statistics |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref> Two seasons later, in [[1923–24 WCHL season|1923–24]], Dutton and the Tigers won the WCHL championship. He assisted on the championship winning goal in a 2–0 victory over the [[Regina Capitals]] by carrying the puck the length of the ice before passing to [[Cully Wilson]] who scored.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tigers are western Canada hockey champions |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 8, 1924 |page=20}}</ref> The team then defeated the [[Pacific Coast Hockey Association]]'s [[Vancouver Maroons]] before losing to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) in the [[1924 Stanley Cup Finals]].<ref name="BlazeMag" />

Named a WCHL first team all-star on defence in 1922 and 1923,<ref name="OGHHOF">{{cite book |last1=Duplacey |first1=James |last2=Zweig |first2=Eric |title=Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame |publisher=Firefly Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-55407-662-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/officialguidetop00/page/147 147] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/officialguidetop00/page/147 }}</ref> Dutton played five seasons for the Tigers.  Known for his aggressive, physical style, he led the team in [[penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]] in each of those five years,<ref name="BlazeMag" /> and the league in [[1921–22 WCHL season|1921–22]] and [[1923–24 WCHL season|1923–24]].<ref name="OGHHOF" /> Financial pressures forced the Western League to sell its interests to the NHL following the [[1925–26 WHL season|1925–26 season]],<ref>{{cite news |title=West unable to withstand financial pressure in effort to retain hockey |work=Calgary Herald |date=May 6, 1926 |page=17}}</ref> and having suffered a serious knee injury during the season, Dutton was left unsure of his future.<ref name="OCStampede" />

Nonetheless, his rights were sold to the [[Montreal Maroons]],<ref name="LOHStats" /> and he made his NHL debut on November 20, 1926 against the Canadiens.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SI4uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=94sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6521,2831157 |title=Bumper crowd as Canadiens battle Maroons tonight |work=Montreal Gazette |date=November 20, 1926 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |page=22}}</ref> Dutton played four seasons with the Maroons, scoring 15 goals and 41 points.<ref name="LOHStats" /> He played in the [[Stanley Cup]] Finals for the second time in his career in [[1927–28 NHL season|1927–28]], but the Maroons lost the best-of-five [[1928 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] three games to two.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Pm8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9YsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497,2055650 |title=N.Y. Rangers took Stanley Cup and hockey laurels |work=Montreal Gazette |date=April 16, 1928 |access-date=November 28, 2010 |page=16}}</ref>  He led the league in penalty minutes the following season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=nhl1927&sid=1929&leaguenm=NHL |title=1928–29 NHL leaders |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref>

Dutton was the subject of trade talks between the Maroons and the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] following the [[1928–29 NHL season]]. The teams had been negotiating to send [[Marvin Wentworth|Cyclone Wentworth]] to Montreal in exchange for Dutton and [[Babe Siebert]] before the Black Hawks purchased the contract of [[Taffy Abel]], which ended the Hawks pursuit of Dutton.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZcNcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=71gNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5207,6093406 |title=Black Hawks land Abel from Rangers |work=Providence Evening Tribune |date=April 17, 1929 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |page=11}}</ref> The Maroons continued to make him available, with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] showing interest following the [[1929–30 NHL season|1929–30 season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lRsvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ONsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5964,10305704 |title=Pittsburgh Pirates are sold to Cleveland hockey concern |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=May 12, 1930 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |page=10}}</ref> Finally, he was sold to the [[New York Americans]] along with [[Mike Neville (ice hockey)|Mike Neville]], [[Hap Emms]] and [[Frank Carson (ice hockey)|Frank Carson]] for $35,000.<ref name="LOHStats" />

At first distraught at leaving Montreal, Dutton quickly adapted to playing in New York.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> He maintained his aggressive style of play with the Americans, again leading the league in penalties in [[1931–32 NHL season|1931–32]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=nhl1927&sid=1932&leaguenm=NHL |title=1931–32 NHL statistics |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> Despite his fiery temper, Dutton became one of the most popular players in New York amongst both the fans and his fellow players.<ref name="NYT1961">{{cite news |last=Daley |first=Arthur |title=The flamboyant redhead |work=New York Times |date=May 21, 1961}}</ref> He was not able to turn the Americans' fortunes on the ice around, however, as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in his first five seasons with the team.<ref name="LOHStats" />

Dutton was named the coach of the Americans for the [[1935–36 NHL season]], and in doing so became the second player-coach in NHL history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6tMgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6WoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5190,2232427 |title=Red Dutton is new manager of Americans |work=Lewiston Daily Sun |date=April 24, 1935 |access-date=November 28, 2010 |page=18}}</ref> Under his leadership, the Americans finished third in the [[Canadian Division (NHL)|Canadian Division]] with a 16–25–7 record and qualified for the postseason.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=19351936&type=DIV |title=1935–36 regular season standings |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> The Americans then went on to defeat the Black Hawks 7–5 in a two-game, total-goal series to face the Maple Leafs in the league semi-final series.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lH8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2694,3522672 |title=Red Dutton surprised |work=Montreal Gazette |date=March 28, 1936 |access-date=November 28, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> Dutton was unable to play parts of the series against Toronto due to a hip injury,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ng8_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jk4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2422%2C490404 |title=Another spurt wins for Leafs |work=Windsor Daily Star |date=March 28, 1936 |access-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref> and the Americans lost the best-of-three series two games to one.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=34}}</ref>  Dutton retired as a player following the season and turned his focus to coaching full-time.<ref name="OCStampede" />

==Executive career==
While Dutton focused on coaching the team, the Americans were facing bankruptcy.<ref name="RLPColeman" /> Heavily in debt, team owner [[Bill Dwyer (mobster)|Bill Dwyer]] turned to Dutton who lent him $20,000 to allow the team to continue operating.  When the NHL finally forced Dwyer out and took over ownership of the franchise, the league asked Dutton to take over management of the team.<ref name="NYT1961" />

Though the ownerless team was written off by the press and labelled as being "orphans",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7SE_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=wU8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6151,3990505 |title=Red Dutton has faith in his motley crew |work=Windsor Daily Star |date=January 19, 1938 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> Dutton built an Americans team in [[1937–38 NHL season|1937–38]] that finished with a 19–18–11 record. It was only the third time in the team's 13-year history they finished with a winning record.  It was also only the third time the Americans qualified for the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_standings.php?tmi=7080 |title=Standings for the New York Americans of the NHL |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> They faced, and defeated, their rival [[New York Rangers]] in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Black Hawks in the league semi-final.<ref name="McFarlane 1990 37">{{Cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=37}}</ref>  Dutton pioneered the use of air travel as the Americans became the first hockey team to fly between games in 1938.<ref name="HeraldObit" />
[[File:Red Dutton, 1944.jpg|thumb|left|Dutton (left front) presents the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] to [[Gus Bodnar]] as [[NHL president]] in 1944]]
The Americans continued to defy expectations in [[1938–39 NHL season|1938–39]].<ref>{{cite news |last=McNeil |first=Marc |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kIsjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6072,270101 |title=Red Dutton and his Amerks deserve a pat on the back |work=Montreal Gazette |date=January 3, 1939 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=12}}</ref> They again qualified for the playoffs, losing to Toronto in the first round,<ref>{{cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|isbn=0-929091-26-4|publisher=Summerhill Press |page=38}}</ref> while Dutton was named an NHL Second-Team All-Star as coach.<ref name="LOHStats" />  He led them to the playoffs again in [[1939–40 NHL season|1939–40]], but the loss of players due to [[World War II]] took its toll on the franchise.<ref name="McFarlane 1990 37"/>  After finishing in last place the season before, the league announced that the Americans had suspended operations for the [[1942–43 NHL season]], though Dutton continued to represent the team on the Board of Governors.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0R8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=59sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3628,4380248 |title=Hockey league drops Americans |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 25, 1942 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=1}}</ref> Dutton believed that if the Americans could have held on through the war, his team would become more popular than the Rangers.  "A couple of more years and we would have run the Rangers right out of the rink," he said.<ref name="sportse">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/nya/nyamericans.html |title=New York Americans |publisher=Sports Ecyclopedia |access-date=January 14, 2011}}</ref>

Following the sudden death of [[Frank Calder]] in 1943, the NHL asked Dutton to serve as acting president of the league.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Jim |title=Dutton link with bygone era |work=Calgary Herald |date=October 10, 1980 |page=D2}}</ref> The owners wanted Dutton in the post both because he was popular with the players, and because they felt they could control him. Dutton agreed to take the presidency on the promise that the league would reinstate the Americans following the war.<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" /> He resigned the position after one year, citing the fact that the role took too much time away from his business interests in Calgary,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BXktAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yZgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4237%2C3814524 |title=N.H.L. looks for new president as Dutton says he is unable to take job |work=Montreal Gazette |date=August 23, 1944 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> but reversed his decision on the understanding that he would not always be available to serve the NHL post.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o3YtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4254,1479876 |title=Mervyn 'Red' Dutton agrees to continue as N.H.L. managing-director |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 9, 1944 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> Despite this agreement, he again attempted to resign in December 1944, and again had to be persuaded to complete the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GakWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HSMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5141,3751964 |title=Red Dutton to remain head of hockey loop |work=Milwaukee Journal |date=December 9, 1944 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=2 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On both occasions of his potential resignation, [[Canadian Amateur Hockey Association]] executives [[W. G. Hardy]] and [[George Dudley]] were rumoured as likely replacements.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rumor Hardy To Boss N.H.L.|date=April 24, 1943|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|page=19|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-24-1943-1474822/}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Patrick Sponsorshing Hardy As N.H.L. Chief|date=October 18, 1944|newspaper=Lethbridge Herald|location=Lethbridge, Alberta|page=23|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-oct-18-1944-1458507/}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=N.H.L. Seeks New Leader|date=August 24, 1944|newspaper=Winnipeg Tribune|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|page=19|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-aug-24-1944-1552996/}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Canadian Sport Snapshorts|last=Thomas|first=Syd|date=May 22, 1945|newspaper=Brandon Daily Sun|location=Brandon, Manitoba|page=3|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-22-1945-1553008/}}{{free access}}</ref>

In spite of his earlier reluctance to retain the presidency, Dutton signed a five-year agreement to remain as NHL president in 1945.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Dink |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UX4tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ApkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327%2C2546045 |title=Red reappointed for five-year term |work=Montreal Gazette |date=June 15, 1945 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |page=14}}</ref> He continued to make inquiries on the status of his team, but found in 1946 that the owners had reneged on their promise and cancelled the franchise. Dutton had arranged $7 million in financing for a new arena in Brooklyn. When the owners told him during a league meeting that they were not interested, Dutton told his peers "You can stick your franchise up your ass", and left the meeting.<ref name="Frayne, p. 80">{{cite book |title=The Mad Men of Hockey |last=Frayne |first=Trent |year=1974 |publisher=Dodd, Mead and Company |isbn=0-396-07060-4 |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/madmenofhockey0000fray/page/80 80] |url=https://archive.org/details/madmenofhockey0000fray/page/80 }}</ref>  Dutton then resigned the presidency, but remained in the position until he convinced the league to accept [[Clarence Campbell]] as his replacement.<ref name="RLPColeman" />

Dutton felt that the Rangers were responsible for the league's refusal to allow the Americans to resume operations, and in a fit of pique, swore that the Rangers would never win another Stanley Cup in his lifetime.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bonanno |first=Rocky |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=503836 |title=Rangers' Cup "curse" lasted 54 years |publisher=National Hockey League |date=October 30, 2009 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> His vow became known as "[[Curse of 1940|Dutton's Curse]]". Additionally, he never set foot in an NHL arena again until 1980 when, as the last surviving Calgary Tiger, he was asked to drop the puck for the ceremonial [[face-off|faceoff]] prior to the first game in [[Calgary Flames]]' history.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980" /> Dutton's 34-year separation from the NHL was attributed to the betrayal of the league's owners,<ref name="PodnieksPlayers" /> but also because Dutton himself found the lure of the game too strong, and knew he had to step away in order to effectively manage his businesses.<ref name="HeraldObit" />

Dutton served as governor of the [[Western Canada Junior Hockey League (1948–1956)|Western Canada Junior Hockey League]] from 1948 to 1951, when he was succeeded by [[Al Pickard]].<ref>{{cite news|title=22 Home Games For Juniors|date=September 17, 1951|newspaper=Lethbridge Herald|location=Lethbridge, Alberta|page=12|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-sep-17-1951-2103278/}}{{free access}}</ref>

In spite of this, he accepted a nomination in 1950 to become one of two Stanley Cup trustees, a position he held until his death in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_stTrustees.htm |title=Stanley Cup trustees |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref>  Dutton was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1958,<ref name="LOHBio" /> and was a member of the Hall of Fame's selection committee for 15 years.<ref name="HeraldObit" />

==Business career==
Attempting to overcome the failure of his first contracting business following World War I, Dutton operated a second using the money he earned with the Tigers and Maroons.  It too failed in 1933 as a result of the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="OCStampede" /> In 1938, he tried again, joining with Reg Jennings and his brother Jack to form the Standard Gravel and Surfacing Company in Calgary.<ref name="RLPColeman" />  The company proved immensely successful during [[World War II]], building numerous airports within Canada as part of the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] as well as completing highways in northern Alberta and the [[Northwest Territories]].<ref name="OCStampede" /> After serving a year as vice-chairman, Dutton was named the chairman of the prairie roadbuilders section of the Canadian Construction Association in 1950.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5e5TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JzkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6688,953759 |title=Dutton heads roadbuilders |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=January 11, 1950 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |page=3}}</ref> By 1960, the company had become Standard Holdings Ltd., operating 20 different companies that had $70 million in contracts for that year alone,<ref name="CHStampede1960" /> and Dutton had personally become a millionaire.<ref name="NYT1961" />

{{Quote box| quote  ="People think that I still bear a grudge against the NHL governors because they didn't give me back my New York team. The truth is that they did me a big favour, which I didn't appreciate immediately in 1946. They sent me back here to work with Reg in a business which has brought joy and success to both of us."|align=right |width=30%|source=Dutton discussing his long absence from the NHL in 1980.<ref name="HeraldColeman1980" />}}

He remained active in the sporting world as well.  When the [[Calgary Stampeders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] found themselves in financial trouble in 1955,<ref>{{cite news |title=Grid operation mode outlined |work=Calgary Herald |date=December 14, 1955 |page=48}}</ref> Dutton led a group of local businessmen in purchasing the team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Gorde |title=Red Dutton heads new group to take over local grid entry |work=Calgary Herald |date=December 20, 1955 |page=26}}</ref>  Named the president of the team, he worked to increase the team's revenues and to force a greater level of professionalism amongst his peers in Canadian football.<ref name="CHProfessional">{{cite news |last=Simaluk |first=Vern |title=Dutton gave real meaning to 'professional' |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 18, 1987 |page=F5}}</ref> He served as team president until 1959.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sport front briefs |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=February 10, 1959 |page=Sports 14}}</ref>

Dutton's company built the [[Chinook Centre]] shopping mall,<ref name="CSPrince">{{cite news |last=Bishop |first=Eric |title=He was a prince |work=Calgary Sun |date=March 17, 1987 |page=54}}</ref> and in 1960, was contracted to build [[McMahon Stadium]] as the new home of the Stampeders.  He bet [[George L. McMahon|George McMahon]], the stadium's benefactor,  $1,000 that he could complete the 19,000 seat facility within four months.  He won the bet with three days to spare.<ref name="HeraldNoTask">{{cite news |last=Maki |first=Allan |title=No task was too big for Red Dutton to tackle |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 16, 1987 |page=A1}}</ref>

Also in 1960, Dutton was named president of the [[Calgary Stampede|Calgary Exhibition and Stampede]] on a two-year term.<ref name="CHStampede1960" /> He had been a Stampede director for ten-years previous to his appointment.<ref name="OCStampede" /> As head of the exhibition, he also spoke for the [[Calgary Stampeders (ice hockey)|Stampeders]] hockey team of the [[Western Hockey League (1952–1974)|Western Hockey League]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ob1UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8jsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3942,3194301 |title=Franchise talk to come later |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=April 15, 1961 |access-date=December 4, 2010 |page=25}}</ref> and was its chief negotiator.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SJwRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6882,3693997 |title=Calgary six looks potent |work=Spokane Spokesman-Review |date=October 10, 1960 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |page=13}}</ref> Through his work and community spirit, Dutton played a major role in helping Calgary and the surrounding area shed its rural image in the 25 years following World War II.<ref name="CHProfessional" />

==Personal life==
Dutton and his wife Mory<!--Yes, Mory, with an O--> had four children: sons Joseph, Alex, and Norman, and daughter Beryl.<ref name="HeraldObit" /> All three sons fought in World War II; Joseph and Alex were both killed serving with the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] within six months of each other.<ref name="OCStampede" /> In their memory, he funded the Dutton Memorial Arena in Winnipeg which opened in 1967 and was dedicated to developing Canada's [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|national hockey team]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rJ8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PKAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6550,7037433 |title=Dutton arena opened |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 30, 1967 |access-date=December 5, 2010 |page=27}}</ref> Norman served in the navy during World War II; he died in 1973.<ref name="gm-obit">{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |title=Obituary: Norman Alexander Dutton Former hockey player became NHL president |date=March 16, 1987 |page=A16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Frayne |first=Trent |title=Red Dutton: tempestuous star bailed out Amerks  |date=March 31, 1987 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |page=D1}}</ref>

Dutton [[Thoroughbred horse racing|raced thoroughbred horses]] for decades,<ref>{{cite news |last=DeGeer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eaUtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=h58FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6812,6604066 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 30, 1965 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=34}}</ref> and once sponsored a baseball team made up of hockey players known as the Calgary Puckchasers that enjoyed success during the hockey off-seasons.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeGeer |first=Vern |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SIY1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=Wp8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6132,2422925 |title=Good Morning |work=Montreal Gazette |date=June 11, 1965 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=26}}</ref>  Among his humanitarian efforts, Dutton was a longtime supporter of cancer research and treatment,<ref name="HeraldNoTask" /> and made donations of equipment in the memory of his father, who died from the disease.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d9MwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ct8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2905,114163 |title=Donate Alberta "cobalt bomb" |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=January 1, 1953 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=20}}</ref> He became the potentate of the Al Azhar [[Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine|Shriner]] Temple in Calgary in 1953 so that he could help crippled children.<ref name="HeraldNoTask" />

Dutton earned many honours in recognition of his life and career.  He was made an honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the [[The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)|King's Own Calgary Regiment]] in 1953, and promoted to honorary Colonel two years later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bocwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4dwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3093,2305477 |title=Dutton promoted |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=March 12, 1955 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |page=24}}</ref>  In 1972, the newly built Red Dutton Arena in Springbank, Alberta (just west of Calgary) was named after him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.springbankpark.com/index.php/facilities/red-dutton-arena.html|title=Red Dutton Arena - Springbank Park For All Seasons - Agricultural Society|website=www.springbankpark.com|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> He was invested as a member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=481 |title=Order of Canada |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> In 1993, the NHL posthumously named him one of four recipients of the [[Lester Patrick Trophy]] in recognition of his contributions to hockey in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashlesterpatrick.htm |title=Lester Patrick Trophy |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=December 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706035121/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashlesterpatrick.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>  He was inducted into the [[Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1998,<ref name="mhhof">{{cite web |url=http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/honoured/1998/mDutton.htm |title=Mervyn "Red" Dutton |publisher=Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> and the [[Alberta Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://albertasportshalloffame.com/component/zoo/item/dutton-mervyn-red |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116111043/http://albertasportshalloffame.com/component/zoo/item/dutton-mervyn-red |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |title=Dutton, Mervyn aka. "Red" |publisher=Alberta Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==

===Playing career===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:50em;"
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3"  bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! colspan="5"                    | [[regular season|Regular&nbsp;season]]
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! colspan="5"                    | [[Playoffs]]
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP
! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]]
! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]]
! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]]
! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|-
| 1919–20
| Winnipegs
| WSrHL
| 8
| 6
| 7
| 13
| 10
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 6
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| 1920–21
| Calgary Canadians
| [[Big-4 League|Big-4]]
| 15
| 5
| 3
| 8
| 38
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- 
| [[1921–22 WCHL season|1921–22]]
| [[Calgary Tigers]]
| [[Western Canada Hockey League|WCHL]]
| 22
| 16
| 5
| 21
| 73
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1922–23 WCHL season|1922–23]]
| Calgary Tigers
| WCHL
| 18
| 2
| 4
| 6 
| 24
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[1923–24 WCHL season|1923–24]]
| Calgary Tigers
| WCHL
| 30
| 6
| 7
| 13
| 54
| 7
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 10
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1924–25 WCHL season|1924–25]]
| Calgary Tigers
| WCHL
| 23
| 8
| 4
| 12
| 72
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 8
|-
| [[1925–26 WHL season|1925–26]]
| Calgary Tigers
| WHL
| 30
| 10
| 5
| 15
| 87
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1926–27 NHL season|1926–27]]
| [[Montreal Maroons]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 44
| 4
| 4
| 8
| 108
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 4
|-
| [[1927–28 NHL season|1927–28]]
| Montreal Maroons 
| NHL
| 42
| 7
| 6
| 13
| 94
| 9
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 27
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1928–29 NHL season|1928–29]]
| Montreal Maroons
| NHL
| 44
| 1
| 3
| 4
| 139
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[1929–30 NHL season|1929–30]]
| Montreal Maroons
| NHL
| 43
| 3
| 13
| 16
| 98
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1930–31 NHL season|1930–31]]
| [[New York Americans]]
| NHL
| 44
| 1
| 11
| 12
| 71
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[1931–32 NHL season|1931–32]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 47
| 3
| 5
| 8
| 107
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1932–33 NHL season|1932–33]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 43
| 0
| 2
| 2
| 74
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[1933–34 NHL season|1933–34]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 48
| 2
| 8
| 10
| 68
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
| [[1934–35 NHL season|1934–35]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 48
| 3
| 7
| 10
| 46
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [[1935–36 NHL season|1935–36]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 46
| 5
| 8
| 13
| 69
| 3
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3" | WCHL totals
! 123
! 42
! 25
! 67
! 310
! 11
! 1
! 1
! 2
! 20
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 449
! 29
! 67
! 96
! 871
! 18
! 1
! 0
! 1
! 33
|}

===Coaching career===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; width:70em;"
|- 
! rowspan="2"|Season !! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|League !! colspan="6"|[[Regular season]] !! colspan="1"|[[Playoffs|Post season]]
|-
! G !! W !! L !! T !! Pct !! Division rank !! Result
|-
| [[1936–37 NHL season|1936–37]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 48
| 15
| 29
| 4
| .354
| 4th Canadian
| Did not qualify
|-
| [[1937–38 NHL season|1937–38]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 48
| 19
| 18
| 11
| .510
| 3rd Canadian
| Lost in second round
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1938–39 NHL season|1938–39]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 48
| 17
| 21
| 10
| .458
| 4th overall
| Lost in first round
|-
| [[1939–40 NHL season|1939–40]]
| New York Americans
| NHL
| 48
| 15
| 29
| 4
| .354
| 6th overall
| Lost in first round
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
! colspan="3"| NHL totals
! 192
! 66
! 97
! 29
! .419
! 
!
|}

==References==
*''Playing statistics:'' {{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195805&page=statsawards&list=ByName#photo |title=Red Dutton statistics |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=January 14, 2011}}
*''Coaching statistics:'' {{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1502 |title=Red Dutton profile |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=January 14, 2011}}
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{icehockeystats|legendsm=P195805}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sport}}
{{succession box |
 title=[[NHL Commissioner|National Hockey League President]] |
 before=[[Frank Calder]] | after=[[Clarence Campbell]] |
 years=1943–1946}}
{{succession box | before = [[Billy Burch]] | title = [[New York Americans#Team captains|New York Americans captain]] | years = 1932–1936 | after = [[Sweeney Schriner]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Rosie Helmer]] | title = [[List of New York Americans head coaches|Head coach of the New York Americans]] | years = [[1936–37 NHL season|1936]]–[[1939–40 NHL season|40]]| after = [[Art Chapman]] }}
{{s-end}}

{{NHL Commissioner}}
{{Calgary Stampeders team president navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dutton, Red}}
[[Category:1897 births]]
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[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]
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