Frederick Whitcroft

Frederick John "Fred" Whitcroft (December 20, 1882 in Port Perry, Ontario - August 9, 1931) was a Canadian ice hockey forward who played for several notable amateur and early professional hockey squads, including the Renfrew Creamery Kings and the Kenora Thistles.

Early in his career, Whitcroft made a name for himself in hockey circles with his outstanding amateur play with the Peterborough Colts. In 1907 the Stanley Cup champion Kenora Thistles signed him to a $700 contract. Whitcroft played well, but was unable to help the Thistles retain their Stanley Cup stewardship, losing to the Montreal Wanderers in a two game, total points series by the score of 12–8.

The following year Whitcroft signed a contract to play with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Alberta Professional Hockey League. After leading the league two years running in goals scored and making an unsuccessful challenge for the Stanley Cup, Whitcroft jumped back east and signed with the National Hockey Association's Renfrew Creamery Kings for $2,000. Among his teammates were Hockey Hall of Famers Cyclone Taylor, Frank Patrick, Lester Patrick, and Newsy Lalonde. Failing to qualify for another Stanley Cup challenge with that team, Whitcroft retired from hockey after the season was over.

Frederick Whitcroft died in British Columbia in August 1931. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.