Pete Backor
| Peter Backor | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1919 Fort William |
| Died | 1988 |
| Years in Thunder Bay | 1919–at least 1944; by 1954–1988 |
Peter Joseph Backor (April 29, 1919 – June 30, 1988) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 36 games in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1944–45 season The rest of his career, which lasted from 1939 to 1956, was spent in the minor leagues. he won the Stanley Cup with Toronto in 1945.[1]
Thunder Bay connections
Peter Joseph Backor (April 29, 1919 – June 30, 1988) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman born in Fort William to Slovak parents who emigrated from Orava in northern Slovakia. He began his career in 1938–39 with the Fort William Forts of the Thunder Bay Senior Hockey League, and during the 1943–44 season also played for the Port Arthur Shipbuilders of the same league. He was the brother-in-law of fellow NHL player Rudy Migay.
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Peter Backor was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 as an athlete (ceremony date given as 10 September 1994), for hockey and baseball.[2]
Born in Fort William, Ontario, in 1919, Backor developed his Hockey skills within the local minor league system. He progressed to the Ontario Hockey Association, where he established himself as a defensive standout while playing for the St. Catharines Saints. His performance led to a promotion to the National Hockey League for the 1944-45 season, joining the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his debut year, he and fellow Fort William native Gus Bodnar helped the Leafs capture the Stanley Cup.[2]
Following his time in the NHL, Backor moved to the American Hockey League to play for the Pittsburgh Hornets from 1945 to 1954. He earned a reputation as one of the premier defenders in the history of the AHL. In his inaugural season with the Hornets, he was selected for the AHL All-Star team. He subsequently became the first player in the league's history to receive four consecutive All-Star designations. He served as the captain of the Hornets for four seasons and captained the squad to a league championship title during the 1951-52 campaign.[2]
Backor was recognized for his playmaking skills and shooting accuracy throughout his professional career. His popularity in Pittsburgh was such that the organization held a dedicated "Pete Backor Night" to celebrate his contributions. He concluded his professional playing career after the 1953-54 season, having appeared in 570 games with a statistical record of 64 goals and 223 assists. In addition to his achievements on the ice, he was a notable Baseball player on the diamonds of Northwestern Ontario.[2]
After retiring from professional play, Backor transitioned into coaching roles. He managed the Soo Michigan Indians in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association and also coached the Fort William Senior Beavers in his hometown. He continued to participate in the sport as a player for the Thunder Bay Oldtimers.[2]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (1919–at least 1944; by 1954–1988) rests on the following dated evidence. Born in Fort William in 1919, he played minor hockey there until joining the NHL in 1944, and returned to coach the Fort William Senior Beavers and play for the Thunder Bay Oldtimers after retiring from professional hockey in 1954 until his death in 1988.[2]
Achievements listed in the profile:
- Won the Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1944-45
- Became the first player in American Hockey League history to be named to four consecutive All-Star teams
- Captained the Pittsburgh Hornets to an AHL championship in 1951-52
- Served as captain of the Pittsburgh Hornets for four years
- Recorded 64 goals and 223 assists over 570 professional games
- Honoured by fans with a Pete Backor Night in Pittsburgh[2]
Associates
- Gus Bodnar, fellow Fort William graduate and teammate on the 1944-45 Toronto Maple Leafs[2]
References
- ↑ This article incorporates text from the Wikipedia article on Pete Backor, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Peter 'Pete' Backor", athlete profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/athlete-profile/a318f858-91d6-4c30-ab00-1c3e035d7ff8 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.