Rudi Ball Rudi Victor Ball ( March 27 , 1910 – September 1975 ) was a champion ice hockey player . He was born in Berlin and died in Johannesburg , South Africa . Ball was the only athlete of Jewish descent to represent Germany in the 1936 Winter Olympic Games . Helene Mayer represented Germany at the Summer Games that year . There was much controversy about his inclusion in the 1936 German Olympic Ice Hockey team at the time by the Nazi government . Ball was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 . Career . During his playing career , spanning from 1928 to 1952 , he won the German Championship 8 times ( 1928 - 1944 ) and participated for Germany in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Winter Games and in four World Championships 1930 - 1938 . He played in total 49 official games for Germany , between 1929 and 1938 , and scored 19 goals . Ball was voted as the best European ice hockey player in a French Sports Magazine in 1930 . He was considered one of the most popular and dreaded European ice hockey players prior to the Second World War . Ball scored over 500 goals during his career . He and his two brothers , Gerhard Ball and Heinz Ball , represented Germany in many international competitions in their hockey careers . While reasonably short , Ball was considered extremely fast on the ice and was admired as having much skill and ability . Ball was included in the 1932 German ice hockey team , to play at the 1932 Olympic games , held in Lake Placid . The German team won the bronze medal . He played all six matches and scored three goals . 1936 German Olympics . In 1936 , having Jewish heritage , Ball ( the 25 - year - old captain ) was initially overlooked for selection in the German ice hockey team . His good friend and teammate , Gustav Jaenecke , refused to play unless Ball was included . Ball also believed a deal could be struck to save his family in Germany if he returned to play in the games . The German selectors also realized that without Ball and Jaenecke the team would not stand a chance of winning . Another factor was that the Nazi party could not overlook the fact that Ball was without doubt one of the leading athletes in his sport . With much controversy Ball was included in the German team to play at the 1936 Olympic games . The deal for Ball ' s family to leave Germany was also agreed . After Ball was injured , the Germans took 5th place in the Olympic tournament . Ball played four matches and scored two goals . Ball followed his brother , Heinz , to South Africa in 1948 . He died in Johannesburg in 1975 . Teams . International Level Germany - 1932 & 1936 Olympics Germany - World Championships ( 1930 , 1932 & 1938 ) Club Level Berliner SC ( 1928 - 33 ) ECH St Moritz ( 1933 - 34 ) Diavoli Rossi Neri ( 1934 - 36 ) Berliner SC ( 1936 - 44 ) SG Eichamp Berlin ( 1946 - 48 ) Tigers IHC ( 1949 - 50 ) Wolves IHC ( 1950 - 51 ) Awards Olympic Bronze ( 1932 ) World Championship Silver ( 1930 ) European Championship Gold ( 1930 ) World Championship Bronze ( 1932 ) European Championship Bronze ( 1936 & 1938 ) 8 German Championships ( 1928 - 1944 ) Spengler Cup ( 1928 - 29 , 1934 - 35 & 1935 - 36 ) South African Championship ( 1951 ) IIHF Ice Hockey Hall of Fame ( 2004 )