Eight decades subsequent to his retirement from the NHL, Frank William (Flash) Hollett is being commemorated as one of the most exceptional hockey players ever to hail from Cape Breton. The North Sydney, N.S., native, who passed away in 1999 at the age of 88, was posthumously honored by being inducted into the Cape Breton Sport Hall of Fame during a special ceremony. Carol Miller, the chair of the hall of fame, recalls the era when upcoming NHL defensemen were often compared to Hollett, reflecting on her childhood memories.
Renowned for his exceptional speed, Hollett, an offensive-minded defenseman, had a notable NHL career spanning from 1933 to 1946, representing four different teams and clinching the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 1939 and 1941. He made history as the first defenseman to reach the milestone of scoring 20 goals in a single season, achieving this feat in 1944-45 with the Detroit Red Wings, a record that remained unbroken until Bobby Orr surpassed it in 1968-69.
Jon Bruhm, a Halifax resident, nominated Hollett for the prestigious hall of fame, spurred by an article he stumbled upon in The Hockey News ranking the top 100 blueliners in NHL history. The revelation of Hollett’s North Sydney roots sparked Bruhm’s interest, leading him to delve deeper into the player’s remarkable story. Hollett’s early relocation to Toronto after birth was documented by John White, a writer for The Chronicle Herald in the mid-1900s.
From his humble beginnings playing lacrosse, Hollett’s journey led him to Stanley Cup victories and NHL accolades. He ventured into professional hockey under the patronage of Toronto Maple Leafs’ owner Conn Smythe, who recognized Hollett’s talent and encouraged him to transition to hockey from lacrosse. Hollett’s NHL career commenced with the Toronto Maple Leafs before he moved on to the Ottawa Senators and returned to the Leafs for a brief period before ultimately joining the Boston Bruins.
His tenure with the Bruins showcased his scoring prowess, contributing crucial goals to the team’s championship wins and achieving impressive goal-scoring seasons. A trade to the Detroit Red Wings in 1943 marked a new chapter for Hollett, where he not only captained the team but also garnered recognition, finishing fourth in the NHL’s most valuable player award voting the following season.
However, a dispute over a salary increase soured Hollett’s relationship with Detroit management in 1946, resulting in his departure from the NHL without another game played. Despite his remarkable career achievements, Hollett has yet to be honored in the Hockey Hall of Fame. With 132 goals and 313 points in 565 regular-season games, Hollett’s legacy continues to be celebrated by admirers and sports enthusiasts alike.