Right-winger Alex Archer was born in West Ham, London on May 1st, 1911 of Scottish parents. At the age of three, the family emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada and that’s where he learnt to play ice hockey. A two-times Manitoban All-Star, he returned to the UK in 1935 joining the Wembley Lions where he would spend five seasons, scoring 82 goals and 77 assists in the English National League. He made such an impression he was an All-Star A-team selection for three consecutive seasons from 1937.
His selection to the GB squad for the ‘36 Olympics provoked strong protests from the Canadians, who claimed Archer had not been released by their association. Undeterred, he iced in all seven games for GB, scoring two goals before collecting his gold medal. Two further gold medals were to hang around his neck, from the European Championships of 1937 & 1938. In all, Alex Archer played 24 times for his country, scoring an impressive 14 goals and 10 assists.
His playing career was brought to an end in 1945, when playing at Wembley against Sweden, he suffered a fractured skull. He immediately turned his talents to coaching, spending time with Wembley, Nottingham and Murrayfield, twice being selected coach of the All-Star B-team between 1946-48.
Compiled with research, provided by Martin C.Harris - July 1998
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