Alf Pike entered the National Hockey League with a bang, The Winnipeg native became a Stanley Cup-winner in his rookie season (1939-40). He also starred on the Blueshirts 1942 first-place team.
He entered the Canadian armed forces in 1943 and remained a soldier until World War 2 ended in 1945. Rejoining the Blueshirts after the conflict, he switched from forward to defense.
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Although Alfie was a solid average player as a forward and defender, he was an even better teacher. After retiring as a player Pike took over as coach of the Rangers Junior A team in Guelph, Ontario.
Pike’s lessons paid off. His Biltmores won a Memorial Cup and such luminaries as right wing Andy Bathgate, defenseman Harry Howell, left wing Dean Prentice and toughie Lou Fontinato made it to the Rangers and starred from the late 1950’s through the 1960’s.
Bathgate and Howell even made it to the Hall of Fame!