Bunny Dame

Aurelia Napolean "Bunny" Dame has a very interesting name, albeit a name that time has forgotten. Let's see what we can find out about this former Montreal Canadiens forward.

The 5'9" 160lb winger played 34 games with the Habs in 1941-42, scoring 2 goals and 5 assists. He was signed as a war replacement before he too left hockey to join the military following his one season in Montreal. Hockey statistics can not place Dame anywhere in the 1942-43 or 1943-44 seasons, although he did get his amateur status reinstated in 1943. He definitely returned to Trail, BC, where he had previously played his amateur hockey. He resumed his job at the local smelter as his war placement, but his hockey career at this time is curious. The news archives suggest he was playing with the famed Smokies again in 1943 but there is no statistical proof. He only resurfaces in 1944-45 with a senior league team in Alberta called the Calgary Currie Army. Trail and this particular Calgary team were on-ice rivals and locals fondly remember their many battles.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Dame was a multi-sport star. His favorite sports were baseball and hockey, both of which he eagerly pursued when he relocated to the British Columbia Kootenay region in 1933. He would become a well known name in the competitive Kootenay fastball and senior hockey circuits. In hockey he starred with the the Rossland Miners and the famed Trail Smoke Eaters, winning the World Hockey Championship in 1939.

Following his placement in Calgary Dame never left the city. He played senior hockey with the Calgary Stampeders until 1950. Nicknamed for his speed, Bunny helped the Stamps challenge for the Allan Cup (Canada's amateur championship) three times, becoming the first Albertan team to win the title in 1946.

After leaving the ice in 1950 Dame earned a comfortable living working with Calgary Power. He retired from that job in 1977 following 32 years of service.

Bunny Dame died on April 14th, 2006. He was 92 years old.