Charles Hay

Who was Charles Hay?

Charles Cecil Hay was a Canadian ice hockey player, organizer, and administrator. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the "Builder" category, Hay is best known for his work with Hockey Canada and his efforts to organize the 1972 Summit Series. He is the father of former Chicago Blackhawks player Bill Hay.

In his early years, Hay played goaltender for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and led the team to an Allan Cup final in 1921. After a long business career in the petroleum industry, he retired and began working with Hockey Canada, eventually succeeding Maxwell Bell as its president. During his time with Hockey Canada, Hay worked to develop programs for coach certification, student ice hockey scholarships, and hockey research. He also provided administrative guidance and negotiations for the Summit Series.

The University of Saskatchewan presented Hay with an honorary doctorate on May 20, 1965, and he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974.

In the television presentation Canada Russia '72, a mini-series depicting the famous 1972 Summit Series, the role of Charlie Hay was played by veteran Canadian theatre director and actor Walter Learning.