1938 MHL Offseason: On the ice

Notable Retirements:
(note: because of the deletion of the original file, some statistics and dates may be wrong or incomplete)

Alan Clercius - G (BUF 1920, MTG 1920-38)
Without a doubt one of the finest goaltenders the MHL has seen, Clercius was the backstop behind all of the Greys’ 3 Abbott Cup Victories. He has the single-season save percentage record at 0.934, and has the second-lowest single-season GAA, at 1.39. He is also top 5 all-time in GP, W, GAA, and SV%. An absolutely guaranteed HOFer whenever a hall is opened.

Ivan Davison - W (BOS 1924-37)
The Harpers’ all-time leader in GP and G (for now), Davison was their feared sniper for most of his career. Known for his puckhandling and deadly-accurate shot, Davison struck fear in the hearts of goalies when the puck was on his stick. He was never a league-renowned superstar, but always a guy you had to watch out for. Davison scored 230 goals in 700 career games, all with Boston.

James Urban - W (WPG 1923, MTG 1924-35, NAS 1936-37)
Urban was a two-time MHL leading goalscorer, in both 1928 and 1931. Like Clercius, he was also with the Greys for all of their Abbott Cup victories, and was a key part. He currently ranks in the top 10 for games played, goals and points, and will hang up the skates with both individual and team accolades. He had 288 goals and 443 points in 737 career games.

Dim Meredith - D (COR 1924-25, BRK 1926-27, OTT 1928-32, MTB 1933-37)
Meredith was a rock-solid defenseman throughout his career, and although he was a bit of a journeyman, it wasn’t because he wasn’t good. One of those big, solid, stay-at-home defenseman that any team would love to have. He won 2 Abbott Cups, one each with Ottawa and Montreal. 

Kenneth Lalonde - W (COR 1924-25, IND 1926, MTG 1927-37)
The third notable 3-time champion with the Greys to retire, Lalonde went through his entire career being quite underrated. He was never considered the guy in Montreal, but always one of the most dangerous ones. Top 10 all-time in assists and top 20 in points, Lalonde was a set-up man for the likes of James Urban and others who wore the Greys sweater. He finished with over 400 points in his 660 games.

Boston:

Ins:
Carl Ball - W (DET Affiliate)

Outs:
David Covington - C (FA)
Claude Rivard - D (FA)
Gill Han - D (FA)

Re-Signings:
Alberto Esposito - G
William Robinson - W
John Buck - C
Eddie Milne - D
Melvin Graham - C
Lucien Bernard - G

Boston handed out the biggest offseason contract for the second straight year, locking up goalie Alberto Esposito for 6 years, at around $13,000 per year. They also kept William Robinson and John Buck, two key parts of their offense. Leaving was longtime forward David Covington, who will likely remain in the minor leagues for the time being. Their lone signing was Carl Ball from Detroit’s minor league affiliate, who will be new depth.

Ins:
Francois Demers - W (Rookie)
Wilson Landry - W (CHI)

Outs:
None

Re-Signings:
Simeon Edwards - D
Robert Bass - W
Matthew Graham - C

Though Edwards and Bass aren’t the #1 option in their position, both are crucial pieces of the Kings roster, and both re-signed with Brooklyn this offseason. Matthew Graham is still young and has room to grow as well. Their two signings are François Demers, a rookie with an MHL-ready shot, and Wilson Landry, who bounced up and down with the Wildcats, playing only 7 games last season.

Ins:
Christophe Doucet - W (Rookie)
Daniel Saunders - D (Rookie)

Outs:
Wilson Landry - W (BRK)
Louis Ville-Monarque - W (FA)
Jerry Johnson - D (DET)

Re-Signings:
Alex Klassen - D
David Burnatowski - G

The Wildcats re-signed #1 d-man Alex Klassen over the offseason, as well as promising young goalie David Burnatowski, who can get more minutes if either goalie in front of him falters. One key addition was rookie defenseman Daniel Saunders, who coaches appear to have pencilled into the top pair already. His blocking and hitting abilities will be huge boosts to the back end. 

Ins:
Andrew Angularity - W (Rookie)
Mark Johnson - D (Rookie)
Scott Darling - G (Rookie)
Christopher Rice - W (CHI Affiliate)
Jerry Johnson - D (CHI)

Outs:
None

Re-Signings:
David Pelletier - W
Albert Becker - D
Simon Peters - C
Daniel Sutterick - W

The defending champs did a real good job in not having a single player out over the offseason, but that means there will be cuts after their 5 additions. Pelletier has been their best player, and he’ll stick around. Becker, Peters, and Sutterick all had their moments in the postseason, and they’ll stay as secondary options. Their most notable rookie is G Scott Darling, who will compete with Louis Pierre right away to be Guy Topolinski’s backup.

Ins:
Douglas Klein - D (Rookie, created by MitchSwanson94)
Peter Davis  - W (Rookie)
Pierre Labelle - C (Rookie)

Outs:
Jean Fortin - W (FA)
Mark Sullivan - W (FA)
Derrick Dorvilus - D (MHC)
Cornelius Watman - D (FA)
Georges Jana - D (Retired)

Re-Signings:
Theodore Parker - C
Robert Prince - C

The Barons did some moving around in the offseason. Longtime player and captain Jean Fortin was released, as well as Derrick Dorvilus and Cornelius Watman, both of whom were key parts for many years. Dorvilus in particular became resented by the fanbase for immediately signing with their crosstown rivals in Montreal HC. He’ll be replaced by rookie Douglas Klein, known as a smart defender who uses his body well.

Ins:
Charles Boyko - C (Rookie)
Ronald Holmes - G (Rookie)
Olivier Lacasse - W (WSH Affiliate)
Derrick Dorvilus - D (MTB)

Outs:
Alan Clercius - G (Retired)
Joseph Gill - D (FA)
Robert Denis - D (FA)
Marcus Hall - D (FA)

Re-Signings:
Jack Patrick - W

MHC’s biggest blow was losing Alan Clercius, who had been their goalie from pretty much day one. Taking his place for the moment is 20-year-old Gilbert Markle, who was signed as a rookie last offseason. As for other moves, they signed promising rookie Charles Boyko, known more for his defensive play rather than offensive. They also signed two veterans in Ronald Holmes and Olivier Lacasse, who are grateful to receive their final chances to show they can stay in the MHL.

Ins:
Walt Fraser - D (Rookie, created by KingsFan11)
Thomas Reese - G (Rookie, created by MitchSwanson94)
David Dixon - D (Rookie)
Wayne Barnes - C (Rookie)

Outs:
Carl Brown - C (FA)
Cyril Gauthier - D (TOR)

Re-Signings:
Michael McKay - W
Levi McCain - D

The Scouts signed the best rookie on the market in the offseason, taking defenseman Walt Fraser. He’s not the flashy type of defenseman, but many analysts noted they had never seen a player his age be as effective defensively as he was. As well, with an aging tandem, they signed another rookie in Thomas Reese, who will almost certainly be their future in net. They locked up W Michael McKay as well, who will play on the top line for the first time in his career this season.

Ins:
None

Outs:
Peter Perderko - C (FA)
Robert MacLean - W (FA)
Jonathan Boudreau - W (FA)
Richard Dustin - D (FA)

Re-Signings:
Len Charter - C
Christian Harper - D
Richard Olson - C
Gilbert Lazarus - C

The Birds made a weird decision by not signing a single new player over the offseason, despite the league increasing the maximum roster size by 1. Instead, they just re-signed their players. Len Charter is the most notable of these, as he’s been their best playmaker for many years now. New York does have an open roster spot at the moment, and many predict they may end up re-signing Richard Dustin, who they released after the season.

Ins:
Ernie Vitorino - W (Rookie, created by MitchSwanson94)
Alexander Paul - W (Rookie)
Joe Gillis - D (RCH)

Outs:
Tom Ash - D (FA)

Re-Signings:
Harold Beauchamp - C
Lawrence Turner - G
Yves Lang - W
Anthony Evans - C

The Minutemen made a couple of rookie signings, both of which are players who will need time to develop. In particular, Ernie Vitorino only started playing hockey a few years ago, and while his potential is high, the chances he hits it aren’t as high. Their two most notable re-signings are Harold Beauchamp and Yves Lang, who will likely team up on the top offensive line, with team captain Lionel Hansen.

Ins:
Bill Henderson - C (Rookie)
Michael Marcotte - D (Rookie)
Morris McLean - W (BKN Affiliate)
Theodore Hopper - W (Rookie)
Allen Alexanderson - G (Rookie)

Outs:
Michael Quick - D (FA)
Joe Gillis - D (PHI)
Peter Stevens - G (FA)

Re-Signings:
Jean Paradis - C
Timothée Beaudin - D
Mariusz Lewandowski - W

The Blues made the most rookie signings of any team, which is understandable for the reigning last-place finishers. However, none of these rookies were considered immediate top-line contenders, and all will instead develop in the middle and lower parts of the roster. Jean Paradis was their big re-signing, as he enjoyed a breakout season, and will be expected to be one of their top offensive weapons for the next years. 

Ins:
George Willey - C (DET Affiliate)
Théo Brunet - C (Rookie)
George Henderson - W (Rookie)
Cyril Gauthier - D (NAS)

Outs:
Claude Brown - C (FA)
Albert Doornekamp - W (FA)

Re-Signings:
Gregory Bekkering - C

Toronto made solid additions all around during the offseason. George Henderson has a lethal shot and will take on a depth role as a rookie. Cyril Gauthier was a surprise release by Nassau, and will take a spot on their top pairing. As well, George Willey will be the team’s bottom 6 anchor, given another shot in the MHL after spending 1937-38 in the minor leagues. Lastly, they re-signed MHL all-time points leader Gregory Bekkering to a new deal, ensuring a Laker will be in that #1 spot for the next few years.

Ins:
Louis Hunter - D (Rookie)
Richard Racine - W (Rookie)

Outs:
Frank Reid - C (FA)

Re-Signings:
Donald Thompson - D
Bob Mullins - W

The Bats didn’t have a crazy offseason, re-signing two solid complementary pieces in Thompson and Mullins, and signing two rookies to help the team get over the hump. Lewis Hunter is the younger brother of current Bat Michael Hunter, and despite being only 19, Lewis noticeably bigger than Michael. Richard Racine is a smart young winger who will learn on the 4th line to start his MHL career.