Vernon “Tex” Kaiser

Vernon Kaiser was born in Preston on September 28, 1925 and began his hockey career with the Preston Riversides of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association in 1941. Kaiser joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1943, to join the Winnipeg Navy hockey team for the 1944-45 season.

Over the next five years, Kaiser played in the minor leagues, including the Fort Worth Rangers where he earned the nickname of “Tex”. During this time, Kaiser’s player rights with the National Hockey League were owned by Eddie Shore who prevented him from playing in the NHL. Kaiser finally got his shot at the NHL, joining the Montreal Canadiens during the 1950-51 season. Unfortunately, Shore bought back Kaiser’s player rights and he again faced the prospect of life in the minor hockey leagues. In the early 1950s, Kaiser played hockey for the Buffalo Bisons, the Montreal Royals and the Syracuse Warriors, retiring from hockey in 1955.

Kaiser was also an accomplished Inter-county baseball player, helping the Galt Terriers win the 1949 pennant. He led the league in home runs during the 1949 season. Kaiser is considered by many to be one of the best hockey and baseball players to ever come out of Cambridge.

Kaiser and his wife Bette were married in 1945. They have three sons and a daughter.

Photograph Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto