Cliff Barton
| Cliff Barton | |
|---|---|
| Little Caesar | |
| Died | 1969 |
| Years in Thunder Bay | by 1926–1929; 1934–1935; 1938; 1940 |
Cliff Barton was a professional hockey right-winger and amateur golfer who played in the National Hockey League and won the Allan Cup. Cliff Barton was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 as an athlete.[1]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Cliff Barton was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on 29 September 2001 in the athlete category for golf and hockey, representing Port Arthur.[1]
Career
Raised in Port Arthur, Barton was a multi-sport athlete who competed in Baseball during the 1920s before focusing on a Hockey career that spanned nearly two decades. He played as a rookie for the Port Arthur West End Juniors, reaching the Memorial Cup finals during the 1926-27 season. He later joined the Port Arthur Seniors, where he was a member of the squad that captured the Allan Cup national championship in 1928-29.[1]
Barton entered the National Hockey League for the 1929-30 season after signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates. When the franchise moved and became the Philadelphia Quakers, he earned the nickname 'Little Caesar' and became a popular figure with the local supporters. Following the dissolution of the Quakers during the Great Depression, he was selected by the New York Rangers in a dispersal draft prior to the 1931-32 season. Due to the limited roster spots in the eight-team NHL, he spent much of the following years competing in the International Hockey League and the American Hockey League.[1]
While playing for the Buffalo Bisons, Barton helped the team secure the IHL title in 1932-33. His defensive play was highly regarded by coach Frank Nighbor, who paired him with fellow Port Arthur native James 'Bud' Jarvis as a premier back-checking duo. Known as 'Slippery Barton' for his skating and playmaking, he demonstrated his offensive skill in a 1933 contest against Cleveland, scoring all four of his team's goals, including the deciding goal in overtime.[1]
Outside of the hockey season, Barton was a prominent figure in Golf. He won consecutive titles at the Strathcona Club and Invitational in 1934 and 1935. His success on the links continued with District Amateur championships in 1938 and 1940. He was recognized for his driving distance, consistently hitting the ball 250 yards and occasionally exceeding 300 yards.[1]
Returning to professional hockey in Philadelphia, Barton joined the Philadelphia Ramblers of the AHL for the 1936-37 season, contributing to two division championships. He was recalled to the New York Rangers for several games during the 1939-40 campaign. His later career included stints with the St. Louis Flyers and the New Haven-Washington franchise. He retired following the 1943-44 season after playing for the Pittsburgh Hornets. Over his career, he appeared in 660 professional contests, 85 of which were in the NHL.[1]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (by 1926–1929; 1934–1935; 1938; 1940) rests on the following dated evidence. Grew up in Port Arthur and played for local junior and senior hockey teams until 1929, returning to win local golf titles in 1934, 1935, 1938, and 1940.[1]
Honours and achievements
- Reached the Memorial Cup finals with the Port Arthur West End Juniors in 1926-27
- Won the Allan Cup with the Port Arthur Seniors in 1928-29
- Claimed the International Hockey League championship with the Buffalo Bisons in 1932-33
- Scored four goals in a single game against Cleveland in 1933
- Won the Strathcona Club and Invitational golf titles in 1934 and 1935
- Won the District Amateur golf championship in 1938 and 1940
- Won two American Hockey League division titles with the Philadelphia Ramblers
- Played 660 total professional hockey games, including 85 in the NHL[1]
Associates
- James 'Bud' Jarvis, teammate and fellow Port Arthur resident[1]
- Probably not the same as Clifford E. Barton (died 2003): the name is similar, but the death years differ.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 "Cliff Barton", athlete profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/athlete-profile/7ee7edd9-9f55-4987-af48-6ac395ebbe58 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.