The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-22
WAR TO STRIP HOCKEY CLUBS OF BIG NAMES League Officials Prepare
 to Carry on With
 RepIaCements
By FRANK F. ROBINSON

United Press Stan Correspondent
 Toronto, ont. (UP)-Tt1e National Hockey league will carry on next season with depleted squads, league officials admitted here, following the Canadian governments call for more soldiers and the effects of the Amer ican draft on hockey pros below the border.
 Montreal Canadiens stand to be heavy losers in player material, but the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Americans, Bos- ton Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks each expect to journey to fall training camps minus a number of their younger stars, while farm clubs will be af- fected seriously, it was said.
 Clubs operating in the many minor leagues may be forced to retire for the duration of the war. A conservative estimate has at least 40 players in the National Hockey league affected by the American and Canadian color calls. Many more probably will be called from other leagues.
 Tommy German, of the Canada ems, the Maple Leafs Conny Smythe, Red Dutton, Lester Pat rick and the rest of the leagues moguls express complete support of the Stepped-up recruiting. pro- gram and say they'll cut their suits to it the government pat- tern.
 Officials Ready to Close
 League officials even have gone on record and expressed their will- ingnesS to close shop for the sea- son and until the end of the war if their action will be helping the war effort.
 They all~agree that if the league operates at all this winter, war; time hockey will be the fare.
 For the first time since the World War the usual summertime trading and club strengthening hit a new low. Deals hanging fire were allowed to peter out. Up-and- -com- ing juveniles were passed up and the training roster was left un- filled.
 The Canadian governments &C., tion in imposing 8 20 per cent amusement tax on all professional sport hit the profession hard al- though just how hard will become apparent when the turnstiles be. gin ticking late next fall.
 Many young players have decid. ed to hang their skates and stick! on the wall in turn for a bayone and rifle. Amateur pucksters-jus one step out of the big tim and probably would have beel ready for top competition thi year-are serving with the armet forces.
 Conny Smythe takes the whol, thing in his stride and from Peta wawa training camp in Ontarit where he is a major with an artil. lery unit he sends word that in hi. opinion the draft won't sent hockey down the misery trail. Maybe our hockey will not be 50 good, so much more dependent on the individual. All the clubs have been carrying more player strength than was essential. If il Is wartime hockey, we'll cut dowr our squads" he said.
 Canadiens to Be Hit Montreals Tommy German ad. mitS the CanadienS will lose sev. eral players, possibly Elmer Lach Jack Adams, Tony Demers, Conny Tudin, Bouchard, Bibeault and StI Smith.
 Ken Reardon, mighty deSens. bulwark, and Johnny Guilty - botf under the draft age-are not af. fected.
 Toronto probably will see Wall, Stanowski, Pete Langelle and BoI Heron change from a Maple Lea, jersey to battle-dress. The Leafs even may lose Ernie Dickens, Bot Goldman, Frank EddolS, Budd, Helyer and Dick Knott, although they are under draft age.
 Boston may lose Red Hamill Gordon Bruce. Hugh Little, Terry Reardon, Pat McReavy, Jacl Shewchuk, Milt Schmidt anc Bauer and Dumart = the famou. Kraut Line in the Bruin attack are not liable for training witt Canada's forces, having taken out U. s. citizenship papers, but they each have cards holding an Amer. ican draft number.