The first person to play in the NHL from Georgetown was Bob Goldham. He was born in the family home on John Street on May 12, 1922. "I grew up as any normal Canadian kid in a small town, through grade school, not really distinguishing myself scholastically," noted Goldham. "Growing up in Georgetown is one of nicest things that could happen, you can walk to the arena, to the ball field and the swimming pool."
His sister, Ruth, told me for the book I wrote on Goldham that, "He played baseball, but liked rugby and hockey better and he also played lacrosse."
When not out playing various sports, young Bob helped his dad in the family owned Goldham's Meat Market located on Main Street. He also worked as a caddie at the local golf course.
When Goldham joined Gordon Alcott's Trail Rangers at the age 11, he quickly became involved in all its activities. Alcott was a community leader and his new venture offered Goldham the opportunity to play hockey. Many of their games took place on Campbell's Pond, which was reached by hiking along the railway tracks. "When you're playing with 35 guys divided by two, now that's when you learn to skate and stickhandle," stated Goldham.
In January 1937, Alcott formed the Little NHL, with teams named after the pro clubs. Goldham skated for the Georgetown Little NHL Toronto Maple Leafs and had Reg Hamilton's name stitched on the back of his sweater. Hamilton was a member of Conn Smythe's big-league team.
Goldham led his team to victory and captured the Georgetown Little NHL Stanley Cup and advanced to the Ontario NHL championship in March 1937. His team continued their winning ways by defeating the Stratford Maroons and won the Howie Morenz Memorial Trophy.
His outstanding play against Stratford didn't go unnoticed by members of the press. One report observed that "it was mostly a case of the Maroons versus Goldham, and the Maroons came out second best, which was as it should have been on the night's play. Goldham did about 75 percent of the work for his team."
In addition to the Little NHL, Goldham played junior 'B' and 'C' in Georgetown. Also, while in the Trail Rangers, he participated in basketball, track and field and dodgeball.
While attending Georgetown High School, Goldham excelled in several sports, including, hockey, football and track and field. In October 1937, Goldham and his teammates won the Ross Cup by defeating Milton. In the championship contest, he ran for two touchdowns and kicked four field goals.
Bob Goldham's hometown recognized his success (5 Stanley Cups) in the NHL with Toronto, Chicago and Detroit when they presented him with the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award on March 14, 1985. Then, on June 16, 2011, Goldham was inducted into the Halton Hills Sports Hall of Fame.
Perhaps, the greatest tribute to Goldham came In December 2010, when the Georgetown Minor Hockey Association changed the name of their Christmas tournament to The Bob Goldham Memorial Christmas House League Tournament.
Part of the text on Goldham's Hockey Heritage Award plaque notes that, "During each phase of Bob's careers, he always served as an inspiration to the young hockey players and all hockey fans of Georgetown. Pride rides high in our hearts when we hear Bob introduced as the greatest hockey player to rise out of Georgetown."
PHOTO GALLERY
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| Bob and his sister, Ruth, with their parents, Flora and Harry. |
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| Young Bob in Georgetown. |
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| Paying Back: Bob got his start in The Little NHL (1937) and while in the Navy, he made a visit to the Copper Cliff Midget Little NHL in 1943. |
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