Cooper Smeaton

James Cooper Smeaton (July 22, 1890 – October 3, 1978) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player, referee and head coach.

[1] During his youth, Smeaton played baseball, football and ice hockey for the Westmount Amateur Athletic Association.

[4] On the New York Wanderers team he played alongside fellow Montreal Westmount products Sprague and Odie Cleghorn.

Although praised by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle after the season as the best point player in the league (AAHL) the newspaper also pointed out that the Wanderers were involved in many rough house incidents and that Smeaton's "principal fault lies in the fact that he is inclined not only toward dirty play, but also left a poor impression upon many of the spectators through his actions on the ice.

"[5] Smeaton returned to Montreal for family reasons and joined Sun Life Insurance and started refereeing amateur games as a sideline.

In September 1959, Smeaton organized a fund-raising intra-squad game by the Montreal Canadiens to benefit the branch's welfare fund.

[14] P. D. Ross appointed Smeaton trustee of the Stanley Cup on February 24, 1946, replacing the late William Foran.

Smeaton, in the middle in the back row, with the 1910 New York Wanderers . Sprague and Odie Cleghorn are seated at the right in the front row.
Smeaton, sitting in the middle in the front row, with players and staff of the Grand-Mère Hockey Club prior to the 1914 Allan Cup challenge series between Grand-Mère and the Regina Victorias.