Overview

Douglas Wagner Bentley (September 3, 1916 – November 24, 1972) was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger best known for his time with the Chicago Black Hawks and the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. Over a career that spanned more than a decade, Bentley earned a reputation as a fast, creative forward and was later honored by induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His partnership on the ice with his younger brother Max Bentley remains one of the more celebrated sibling combinations in the sport's history.

Playing career

Bentley played 13 seasons in the NHL, beginning before World War II and extending into the postwar era. The bulk of his top-level career was with the Chicago Black Hawks, where he formed a productive forward line alongside his brother Max from roughly 1940 to 1947. Later he spent time with the New York Rangers before leaving the NHL. During the war years he briefly stepped away from professional play after being granted permission by Canadian Armed Forces officials to stay home and tend the family farm, missing the entire 1944–45 season.

Style of play and achievements

Bentley was widely regarded as a gifted skater and playmaker who combined speed with puck-handling skill. He was effective at creating scoring chances for linemates and was counted among the top forwards of his era. Both Doug and his brother Max received recognition for their careers: each was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame and, in 1998, both were named to The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players (Max ranked higher, Doug placed at number 73 on the list).

Personal life and legacy

Beyond the rink, Bentley maintained close ties to his family and his rural roots, which notably influenced his wartime absence from the NHL. His legacy also includes a remarkable family anecdote: on March 13, 1966, while coaching in the Eastern Hockey League, Doug Bentley put his son Doug Jr. into a game when the roster was depleted by injuries. Doug Jr., born June 1, 1951, was only 14 years old at the time and became the youngest known player to take a shift in a professional hockey league. Doug Bentley died in 1972; his contributions to the sport are remembered by historians, fans, and the Hall of Fame alike.

Notable facts

  • Bentley and his brother Max were linemates in Chicago for several seasons and are one of the best-known sibling pairings in hockey history.
  • He missed the entire 1944–45 NHL season to tend the family farm after receiving permission from military authorities.
  • Both Bentley brothers were later named among The Hockey News' 100 Greatest Players in 1998, with Doug listed at number 73.
  • Doug Bentley's decision to insert his 14-year-old son into an Eastern Hockey League game in 1966 is a frequently cited oddity in professional hockey lore.

References