The Mystery of Fred Lake

Despite losing an eye in the rough International League in northern Michigan, Fred Lake of Moosomin, Saskatchewan played nine years as a professional hockey player.

Lake's most prominent years came alongside defense partner Hamby Shore. The two first teamed up in Winnipeg in the Manitoba Hockey League before spending 4 years together in Ottawa. Standing tall before goalie Percy Lesueur, the duo of Lake and Shore helped the Senators capture the 1909 and 1911 Stanley Cup!

In addition to be a hockey star, Fred Lake was an astute businessman in his days in Ottawa. But perhaps a business deal went horribly wrong, as Lake was found dead in 1937 under very suspicious circumstances.

According to ace hockey researcher James Milks at his excellent website LostHockey.com:

"Fred Lake's body was found under suspicious circumstances on November 30, 1937.

"Lake's body was found in an automobile on a deserted farm near Connaught park Jockey Club in Aylmer, Quebec. He had been dead for 36 to 48 hours, so his exact date of death is unsure, but either the 27th or 28th of November.

"An extension had been placed on the exhaust pipe and twisted into the interior of the car. Lake's head was resting on two small pillows, his body stretched out on the seat. The mystery deepened with the discovery of two sets of footsteps in the frozen snow leading away from the car. An auto crank was also found on the ground near the back wheels."