Player Inductees

Biography

Frank Buckland served Canadian amateur hockey with distinction in a number of capacities. His dedication and problem solving abilities left him with few equals in hockey circles. A complement often paid to Buckland was that he rarely dwelled on past victories and outdated ideas, but instead focused on fresh approaches to contemporary hockey issues.

Born in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Buckland grew up in Guelph and was educated at the University of Toronto. He developed a strong interest in hockey while at U of T and moved to Peterborough after graduation. He began a 35-year association with General Electric and coached junior and senior teams in his spare time between 1932 and 1940.

Eventually word spread concerning Buckland's administrative talents and he successfully ran for election on to the Ontario Hockey Association executive. In 1955 he began a two-year term as president and in 1961 began working as OHA treasurer, a position he held for fifteen years.

The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association recognized Buckland's exemplary service to the game when it presented him the CAHA Meritorious Award. That same year the OHA presented him with its Gold Stick Award, and in 1973 he was named a Life Member of that organization. The following year the Province of Ontario presented him with its Sports Achievement Award. Before he passed away in 1991, Buckland was the oldest living past president of the OHA.

Buckland was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.