Percy Traub

Percy "Puss" Traub was a depth defenseman with the Chicago Blackhawks ( 1926-27) and the Detroit Cougars (1927-29). He was a long time star in Regina before joining the NHL. He excelled with the Capitals and then the Victorias.

Percy Traub was "rugged and durable" stay-at-home defenseman, the type that are appreciated by coaches and respected by opponents. He was a physical defender, despite being just 5'9" and 160lbs. He registered 217 penalty minutes in 130 NHL games, and another 234 minutes in 132 big league games in Regina.

The Victorias played in the Western Canada Hockey League, a western professional challenger to the eastern based NHL. Regina, like much of the WCHL, fell on tough times economically as the 1920s progressed.

The whole team transferred to Portland, Oregon. Traub followed to play for the newly minted Rosebuds. But a year later the whole league failed. The Rosebuds were sold to interests in Chicago, with Traub reportedly fetching $7,500. Effectively the Rosebuds became the Chicago's NHL expansion team - the Blackhawks.

After a just one season in Chicago, Traub and forward George Hay were packaged and sold to Detroit for $15,000. He would play two more seasons in the NHL.

The 33 year old Traub traded his stick for a whistler after retiring as a player in 1929, staying on the ice as a referee. He later returned to Saskatchewan to coach before getting into insurance sales.

Traub passed away of a heart attack on May 5th, 1948. He was just 51 years old.