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Inducted
into the Hall of Fame in 1950. Born in 1912 in Ottawa,
Canada defenceman Lou Bates became arguably the most popular player in
pre-war British ice hockey – so much so that he was featured on a
cigarette card. Bates first came to
Britain as a member of Ottawa’s touring team, spent a year in Paris
and then joined the Wembley Lions in 1934 for their inaugural season.
The following season he was selected to the All-Star B-team, making it
to the A-team four years later. His accurate passing to his wingers and
athletic solo rushes up the ice made him the first crowd-pleasing
Canadian ‘star’ in British hockey, the packed Empire Pool crowds
heralding him with chants of “Lou-oo-oo-oo.” Serving as an
inspirational on-ice captain of the Lions, he stayed until war stopped
play in 1940. After the war, he
returned to the Lions as coach for the first post-war season. He then
guided the GB squad to a European championship runners-up place in 1950
and then coached a season with Streatham, while developing a successful
business career. Lou Bates died July 30th,
1987 in London, England. Compiled with research, provided by Martin C.Harris – April 1998. |
