It is a little known fact the Arthur Howie Ross, the man that the NHL's Art Ross Trophy is named for, was born right here in the Sudbury area. Ross's father was the manager of the Hudson's Bay Trading post at Naughton when Art was born in 1886.

It is recorded that Art Ross learned to skate on Simon Lake using skates made out of old metal file blades. His early introduction to the game of hockey included using sticks made out of crooked trees.

His godparents were Doctor and Mrs. Howie. Doctor Howie was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway (Howie drive is named for him). Mrs. Howie's book "Pioneering on the CPR", gives a great description of the trading post and the Whitefish Lake Reserve in the 1890's.

In 1892, when Art Ross was only six years old, his father was transferred from the area to Quebec. It was in Quebec that Ross was introduced to organized hockey. After he completed his schooling, and with an already established reputation as an outstanding amateur hockey player, Art Ross moved to Brandon, Manitoba and went to work for the Merchant Bank. He led the Kenora Thistles as the "point player' in 1907 when they won the Stanley Cup.

In 1908, he was playing for the Montreal Wanderers, scoring 8 goals in 10 games. The Wanderers won the Stanley Cup that year with Ross scoring 4 goals in 5 games. This was his last Stanley Cup as a player.

By 1924, Ross had joined the Boston Bruins as manager-coach when they entered the NHL. He was general manager of the Boston team from 1924 until the 1953-54 season. In that time the team won the Stanley Cup three times.

Art Ross was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the founders section in 1945. He is credited with the Art Ross net, which was used in the NHL until quite recently, and the Art Ross puck, which is still used today.

In 1947, he donated the Art Ross Trophy to the NHL to be awarded annually to "the player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season."

Art Ross died in 1964 at the age of 78.

Material compiled from the Greater Sudbury Heritage Museums Archives.