Reg Sinclair

A NHLer from 1950-53 with New York and Detroit, Reg Sinclair is better remembered as a hockey star at McGill University in Montreal.

Reg Sinclair was inducted into the McGill Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He was born in Lachine, Quebec on March 6, 1925. After serving with the air force during World War II before enrolling at McGill. He earned a bachelor of commerce by 1949.

When he was not in the classroom he was on the ice. He was an all star right winger and center. He netted 43 goals and 68 points in 36 games. Twice he led the team in scoring and led the Redmen to the 1946 Queen's Cup championship.

His best season came in 1948-49. He was named team captain and scored 21 goals and 35 points in just 12 games. In one particular game he tied a McGill record with ten points in one game - three goals and seven assists in a game against the University of Montreal. Not surprisingly he was voted as MVP that season.

Sinclair signed with the New York Rangers in 1950, reportedly becoming the team's highest paid play immediately. He would lead all NHL rookies in scoring that season, but he finished behind Detroit goaltender Terry Sawchuk in Calder Trophy voting for rookie of the year.

Sinclair returned in 1951-52 and scored 20 goals and, for the second time in as many years, played in the NHL All Star Game. But he almost walked away from it all, thanks to a budding career with Pepsi in the off-seasons.

Sinclair did return in 1952-53, as Detroit made a trade and a "significant" contract offer in hopes that Sinclair could replace the offense gone with the retirement of Sid Abel.  He would play regularly with the Wings, contributing eleven goals and twenty three points.

After three seasons in the NHL Sinclair quit to focus on a career in business. After settling in Quebec he would move to New York City when he became a vice-president with Pepsi. He later moved to Georgia to work for Royal Crown Cola and the to New Brunswick to become a partner in Maritime Beverages.

Reg Sinclair passed away in 2013 at the age of 88.