Frank Sheppard

Joseph Francis Xavier Sheppard (October 5, 1905 — February 20, 1996) was a Canadian ice hockey player who played eight games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Cougars during the 1927–28 season. Born in Montreal, Quebec, he was the younger brother of Johnny Sheppard.[1] The obituary in the Vancouver Sun issue date February 22, 1996 states he was born on October 5, 1905, not October 19, 1905.

For the British trade unionist and politician, see Frank Sheppard (trade unionist).
Frank Sheppard
Sheppard c. 1927 with the Detroit Cougars
Born (1905-10-05)October 5, 1905
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died February 20, 1996(1996-02-20) (aged 90)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight 157 lb (71 kg; 11 st 3 lb)
Position Centre/Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Detroit Cougars
Playing career 1925–1937

Playing career

Sheppard mainly played in the American Hockey Association (AHA), spending six seasons there between 1926 and 1932. He signed with the Detroit Cougars on September 9, 1927.[2] His NHL debut came on November 15 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he scored his first goal in that game.[3] Sheppard played eight games with Detroit before being traded to the St. Paul Saints of the AHA on December 19, 1927. After his time in the AHA Sheppard would play five seasons split between the Western Canada Hockey League, North West Hockey League, and Pacific Coast Hockey League, retiring in 1937.[2]

Post-playing career

After his hockey career, Sheppard worked as a real estate agent, however soon after the death of his wife in 1953, he quit his job and became homeless and addicted to alcohol, "bounc[ing] in and out of beer parlours and construction camps".[4] In 1966, he was arrested and given a suspended sentence for begging on the streets of Vancouver.[5]

One Sheppard's sons, James Frank (Jim) Sheppard (born 1939) was the former chief executive officer of machinery company Finning, and forestry product company Canfor. He was also an economic advisor to British Columbia Premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark.[6][7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1925–26 Winnipeg Maroons CHL 2933616 —————
1926–27 Detroit Millionaires MOHL ————— —————
1926–27 Detroit Greyhounds AHA 20000 —————
1927–28 Detroit Cougars NHL 81120 —————
1927–28 St. Paul Saints AHA 331241632 —————
1928–29 St. Paul Saints AHA 20000 —————
1928–29 Tulsa Oilers AHA 4021103131 42022
1929–30 Tulsa Oilers AHA 431161741 71122
1930–31 Tulsa Oilers AHA 4821113254 41128
1931–32 Tulsa Oilers AHA 41841250 —————
1932–33 Regina Capitals/Vancouver Maroons WCHL 2719133223 21012
1933–34 Edmonton Eskimos NWHL 71232 —————
1934–35 Calgary Tigers/Edmonton Eskimos NWHL 1414514 —————
1935–36 Vancouver Lions NWHL 391071750 73365
1936–37 Vancouver Lions PCHL 72134 —————
AHA totals 2097335108208 1542612
NHL totals 81120 —————

References

Citations
  2. Diamond 2002, p. 804
  3. Frank Sheppard Game Logs 1927–28 2020.
  4. Concerned Citizens of BC CEO Jim Shepard Speech to the Delta Chamber of Commerce, November 29, 2012
  5. https://newspaperarchive.com/ca/alberta/lethbridge/lethbridge-herald/1966/02-15/page-6
  6. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/christy-clarks-1-a-year-economic-adviser-quits-to-rally-support-for-premier/article4234406/
  7. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/careers-leadership/out-of-retirement-into-the-fray/article1368489/?page=all

Bibliography
  • Diamond, Dan, ed. (2002), Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Hockey League, Second Edition, New York: Total Sports Publishing, ISBN 1-892129-85-X
  • Frank Sheppard Game Logs 1927–28, National Hockey League, 2020, retrieved July 5, 2020
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