Bruce Mather Bruce Mather ( July 25 , 1926 – October 9 , 1975 ) was an American ice hockey player . He was born in Belmont , Massachusetts . Mather was a member of the American 1948 Winter Olympics ice hockey team . He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 . Playing career . Early years . Mather ’ s career started in Belmont where he played for his hometown Belmont High School . Possessing a quick shot and deceptive speed Mather earned the nickname of “ Little Poison ” during his time at Belmont High . His strong play during his high school career would allow him to go on and play for Dartmouth College , while there Mather would center future Olympic teammates Bruce Cunliffe and Ralph Warburton . This line would prove to be highly successful as it would lead Dartmouth in scoring for two seasons and with the aid of his two wingers Mather would record a minimum of 6 points in a game an amazing 7 times including a 10 point game vs . Middlebury College on February , 2 1944 . The trio would also be a big component in helping Dartmouth achieve an astonishing 46 game unbeaten streak ( 45 - 0 - 1 ) from 1941 - 42 to 1944 - 45 . In 1947 Mather would lead Dartmouth in scoring tallying 56 points and helping them to a 16 - 2 - 2 record . The ’ 47 season would also see one of Mather ’ s career highlights as he scored a crucial game winning goal to help Dartmouth defeat Michigan in Ann Arbor . The win would clinch the number one ranking in the country , which was significant given there was no NCAA Tournament during this time . International career . Mather ’ s strong play , along with that of his line mates at Dartmouth , led to an invitation to play on the United States Olympic team for the whole line . The 1948 Winter Olympics held in St . Moritz , Switzerland , however , were not without their share of controversy . Due to a dispute with the Olympic Committee , the US team was allowed to compete and have the results of their games count in the standings , but they were not eligible to win a medal . This did not slow Mather as he played in all eight US games , leading them in scoring with 16 goals and 27 points . The tournament was also witness to another of Mather ’ s career highlights when he scored an impressive five goals against Austria . Overall , his strong play helped the United States finish the tournament in what would have been 4th place , had they not essentially been disqualified . Mather also represented the United States in the 1949 World Championships held in Stockholm , Sweden , winning a Bronze Medal . Later career . Mather continued his Hockey career playing for the Boston Olympics in the Eastern Hockey League . Where Mather gained notoriety as one of the best Americans on a team that not only played Eastern powers but against Canadian powers from the Quebec Senior Leagues , Mather was even selected as an All - League Center . In 1950 Mather signed with the Boston Bruins ; unfortunately he would never play a game for the B ’ s . However he would make frequent appearances in benefit games with the " old time Bruins " . After his playing days Mather shared his knowledge of the game , becoming a coach for youth hockey . Mather died suddenly in 1975 at age 49 .