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Born in Fort William in 1907, this hockey star crossed the tracks to hone his skills in Port Arthur, bringing home an Allan Cup in 1928-29, as a member of 'the kid line' for the Port Arthur Seniors.


In 1929, Bud turned pro with the Pittsburgh Pirates of the NHL, being touted as 'the find of the season', and ‘the classiest rookie'. With only 10 teams in the league and 14 players on each squad, a spot on an NHL team was well earned. Always hard-working, and known for his fast skating and neat stick handling, he was often noted as being the first one on and the last one off the ice during practice. Reportedly, the owner of the Ottawa Senators offered $10,000 to obtain Bud from the Pirates, a handsome sum in 1929. In 1930-31 the Pittsburgh Club moved to Philadelphia becoming known as the Quakers. With the Depression underway, the club folded after that season, and the players were dispersed amongst the remaining teams with Bud being acquired by the New York Rangers. With their forward line already in place, Bud moved onto Springfield of the CAHL, making another NHL appearance with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1936-37.


Playing in the AHL, and its predecessors the CAHL and the IAHL for 12 seasons, Bud contributed to 4 league titles, playing with the Buffalo Bisons in 1932-33, the Syracuse Stars in 1936-37 and with the Providence Reds in 1937-38 and 1939-40. From 1940-44 Bud played for the Hershey Bears, rounding out his 15 year professional hockey career.


A true hockey enthusiast, Bud turned his talents to coaching. Leading the Fort Frances Canadian Seniors during the 1950-51 season, the team won the District Senior and Western Canada titles, and were runners-up in the Allan Cup finals that season. Bud passed away in Thunder Bay in 1983, having left his mark on the sport of hockey in northwestern Ontario for over 40 years.


Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 26, 1998

James "Bud" Jarvis

Inducted: 
1998
Sport:
Hockey
Community:
Port Arthur
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