Wally Monson was born November 29th, 1909 in Winnipeg, Canada and together with Bert Peer was a member of the newly formed Harringay Racers who first skated out in the English National League in 1936.
Monson, known as either ‘Pop’ or ‘Foxy’ learnt his hockey in Manitoba, working his way up through midget, juvenile and junior hockey, to the senior team – Winnipeg Elmwoods, with whom he won two Manitoba championships.
Drafted from the Selkirk Fishermen into Canada’s 1932 gold medal winning squad, he led his country in scoring at Lake Placid with 7 goals and 4 assists, icing in all six games played. The bald, 5'8” centre then played eighteen months with the St.John Beavers of New Brunswick in the Maritime League, followed by a spell with the Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets in the American Eastern Amateur League. There he was selected to the annual All-Star squad and was placed on the reserve list for the Montreal maroons of the NHL.
Having joined the Harringay club, he played in the north London rink for four straight years from 1936-40, captaining the team to the London and Coronation Cups in his first season, and the league title in 1937/38. The following season, the Racers finished runners-up in both the Cup and National tournament before in 1939/40, his last season this side of the Atlantic; they recaptured the London Cup. Monson was named to the All-Star B-Team for his part in the inaugural season.
In those four successful seasons with Harringay, Wally Monson scored 56 goals and 86 assists in official competition for the Racers. His undoubted natural ability, allied with determination, loyalty and finesse made him a very popular figure with the Racers, and whilst with the club acted as assistant coach to the famous Percy Nicklin.
After the Second World War, Wally ‘Pop’ Monson returned home to Winnipeg where he coached his hometown Monarchs to win the 1946 Memorial Cup. He continued to serve British ice hockey recruiting players for the post-war national leagues in Britain.
Compiled with research, provided by Martin C.Harris – July 1999.
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