He served, and played hockey, in Winnipeg and also while stationed at Leeming Yorkshire home to RCAF 427 Lion and 429 Bison heavy bomber Squadrons.

His hockey career was put on hold between 1943 and 1945 when he was stationed with the Royal Canadian Air Force in his hometown during World War II.

Pike's first coaching job began in 1949–50 with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters, the Rangers' Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Junior A farm club.

The highlight of his five years with Guelph was in 1952 when the team, which featured Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell, won both the league championship and Memorial Cup.

[2] His next stop was the Winnipeg Warriors from 1954 to 1959, collecting a Western Hockey League (WHL) title and Edinburgh Trophy national minor professional championship in 1956.

His personality was a direct contrast from that of the man he replaced, the temperamental Phil Watson (Muzz Patrick served as the interim for two matches).