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Leo Hughes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leo Hughes
Born (1896-09-06)September 6, 1896
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died March 25, 1939(1939-03-25) (aged 42)
Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Position Forward
Played for Maple A. A.
Boston A.A.
Playing career 1923–1925

Stephen Leo Hughes (September 6, 1896 – March 25, 1939) was an American ice hockey player for Boston College and the Boston Athletic Association. His playing career was cut short when he lost an eye in a 1925 game against the Fort Pitt Hornets.

Early life

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Hughes was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. He played football, hockey, and baseball at Newton High School.[1] In football, he was the team's kicker, a strong runner and leading receiver for quarterback Hank Garrity, and an efficient defensive player.[2] In 1917, Hughes was a member of the NHS hockey team that won the Interscholastic and Triangular League championships.[3]

Hughes served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War I and resumed his education at the Dean Academy.[1]

Boston College

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Hughes was a two time captain of the Eagles hockey team and helped lead Boston College to the American Collegiate Hockey Championships in 1922 and 1923.[4] On December 28, 1922, Hughes scored all three goals in BC's 3–1 win over McGill Redbirds.[5]

Hughes also was a four-year letterman in football.[4] He was a reserve back on the undefeated 1920 Boston College Eagles football team.[2]

Boston Athletic Association

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Hughes began his club career in 1923 with the Maple Athletic Association.[6] On January 21, 1924, he scored the game–winning goal in the Maples' 2–1 victory over Boston College.[7] In 1924, Hughes was a member of the Neponset Wanderers, an independent football team.[8]

In 1924, Hughes joined the Boston Athletic Association. During the B.A.A.'s January 17, 1925 game against the Fort Pitt Hornets, the end of Hornet player Joe Stills' stick struck Hughes in face, which left him with a bad cut and knocked him unconscious. Doctors at the Eye and Ear Hospital found it necessary to remove Hughes' right eye, but were able to save the vision in his left eye.[9][10] A benefit game between the B.A.A. and B.C. was held on February 9, 1925, and raised $3,100 for Hughes.[11]

Stills was devastated by Hughes' injury and reportedly broke down in tears when he visited Hughes in the hospital.[10] The two developed a friendship that lasted through Hughes' life. Hughes once stated that he did not suffer "nearly so much as the fellow who unintentionally caused the loss of my eye."[12]

Later life

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In 1921, Hughes began working for the Newton playground department, where he held a variety of roles, including lifeguard, director of boy's activities, supervisor of Crystal Lake, and director of skating places.[12]

In 1925, Hughes became the head hockey coach at Brookline High School.[13] That same season, he served as manager and coach of the Pere Marquette team of the Eastern Amateur Hockey League and organized Leo Hughes' Newton Stars, an amateur team consisting of players from his hometown.[14] In 1934, he coached the Berry Hockey Club.[15]

In October 1937, Hughes married Kathleen Kelly of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. They had one son, Stephen Leo Hughes Jr.[1]

Hughes died on March 25, 1939, following a long illness. He was buried in Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Leo Hughes, Boys' Supervisor, Dies". The Newton Graphic. March 31, 1939. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Two Boston College Stars Due On Eleven". The Boston Globe. November 4, 1920.
  3. ^ "Newton High Wins Two Hockey Titles". The Boston Globe. March 17, 1917.
  4. ^ a b "Leo Hughes". Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame. Boston College Athletics. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  5. ^ "Boston Won". The Quebec Daily Telegraph. December 29, 1922. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  6. ^ Hallahan, John (January 14, 1924). "Referee's Rulings Go In Hockey And Should Be Respected". The Boston Globe.
  7. ^ "Maples Win From Boston College, 2-1". The Boston Globe. January 22, 1924.
  8. ^ Sportsman (October 18, 1924). "Live Tips and Topics". The Boston Globe.
  9. ^ "Hockey Injury Costs Leo Hughes Right Eye". The Boston Globe. January 18, 1925.
  10. ^ a b "Boston Hockey Star Loses Eye Due To Swinging of Stick". Providence News. January 19, 1925. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Boston College Outplays B. A. A.". The Boston Globe. February 10, 1925.
  12. ^ a b Powers, Edward H. (March 31, 1939). "Powers' Paragraphs". The Newton Graphic. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  13. ^ "Leo Hughes Coach At Brookline High". The Boston Globe. December 19, 1925.
  14. ^ "Promises Stiff Fight For Nashuans". The Telegraph. January 14, 1926. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  15. ^ "Hughes To Coach Berry Hockey Club". The Boston Globe. January 12, 1934.