Born September 21st, 1909 in Stratton Ontario, Keith Campbell became the first inductee into the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame after holding a then record of 359 consecutive league and cup appearances in the English National League.
An engineering graduate of Manitoba University, the 5’8”, 162lb-left winger came to London to join the Richmond Hawks for the 1935/36 season. Prior to coming to this country, Campbell had played for the Monkton Hawks after a spell with Pittsburgh.
Campbell spent four years as a Harringay Greyhound, which included back-to-back league title successes. During the Second World War, he worked in an aircraft factory and turned out for Brighton’s Sunday league outfit, before briefly joining the Tigers in the Autumn of 1946.
Returning to Harringay, he helped the Racers to a league title in 1949 before moving on to join the Earls Court Rangers as player-coach.
Keith Campbell proved his versatility by being named in the 1939/40 All-Star A-team as a left-winger and to the 1946/47 A-team as a defenceman. The following year he was named coach of the All-Star B-team, a feat he repeated in the 1951/52 honours.
He retired in 1953 aged 44, as the oldest player in the league. His twelve seasons saw him post figures of 156 goals and 255 assists for 411 points from 545 games, taking 203 penalty minutes in the process.
Compiled with research, provided by Martin C.Harris - July 1998
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