Odie Cleghorn was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and its predecessor, the National Hockey Association (NHA), from 1911 to 1929. He was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals.
Cleghorn began his professional career with the Renfrew Creamery Kings in 1910, where he played alongside his brother, Sprague Cleghorn. The two brothers were known for their rough play and were often involved in fights on the ice. In 1911, Cleghorn joined the Montreal Canadiens of the NHA, where he played for six seasons. During his time with the Canadiens, he won two Stanley Cups and was named to the NHA First All-Star Team three times.
In 1917, the NHA was replaced by the NHL, and Cleghorn continued to play for the Canadiens. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1922, where he played for two seasons before being traded back to the Canadiens in 1924. Cleghorn played for the Canadiens for two more seasons before being traded to the Boston Bruins in 1926.
Cleghorn played for the Bruins for two seasons before retiring in 1929. During his career, he scored 125 goals and had 98 assists in 367 games. He was known for his physical play and was one of the first players to wear a helmet on the ice.
After retiring from hockey, Cleghorn became a coach and led the New York Americans to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1938. He also coached the Montreal Maroons and the Chicago Black Hawks.
Cleghorn was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. He was known for his toughness and his ability to score goals, and he was one of the most feared players of his time. His legacy lives on in the NHL, where players continue to play with the same physicality and intensity that he brought to the game.
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