Paul Fendley

Paul Fendley (b. 1953 in Georgetown, Ontario; d. May 8, 1972 in Kitchener, Ontario) was a junior hockey forward and National Hockey League prospect who died in an infamous on-ice incident during the 1972 Centennial Cup.

Career
Over the course of his junior years, Fendley played with the Peterborough Petes of what is now known as the Ontario Hockey League as well as the Guelph CMC's which are now known as the Owen Sound Attack.

Paul Fendley of Georgetown, Ontario was a member of the 1971-72 Guelph CMC's who died as a result of an on ice accident at Guelph Memorial Gardens during Guelph's Centennial Cup 1972 victory. The 19 year old player died at Kitchener-Waterloo General Hospital on May 8, 1972, seventy-three hours after striking his head on the arena ice.

Fendley was checked by an opponent with 11 minutes to play in the game. He tried to catch his balance while still handling the puck and lost his helmet in the process, falling and striking the bare back of his head on the ice.

Fendley was the 1972 SOJHL Leading Scorer with 20 goals and 24 assists in 43 games. He also scored 14 goals and 18 assists in 26 playoff games before his accident. The game in which he was fatally injured was the final and clinching game of the Centennial Cup. His number has not been issued to a player since, by the Guelph CMC's, Guelph Platers, or Guelph Storm.

Vernon Vipers' RBC Cup HistorySources

 * Marty Knack Original Document reproduction