Bunny Ahearne

John Francis Ahearne
Born	November 19, 1900 Wexford, Ireland
Died	April 11, 1985 Toddington, Gloucestershire, England
Other names	Bunny Ahearne J. F. Ahearne
Known for	IIHF President (1957–60, 1963–66 and 1969–75) IIHF Vice-President (1951–57, 1960–63 and 1966–69)) BIHA President (1971–82) BIHA Secretary (1934–71)

John Francis "Bunny" Ahearne (November 19, 1900(1900-11-19) – April 11, 1985) was a promoter for ice hockey.

Born in Wexford, Ireland, Bunny was instrumental in bringing the sport of ice hockey to Great Britain. He became the Manager of the Great Britain national ice hockey team in 1934 and helped manage the British to a gold medal at the 1936 Winter Olympics, then the European Ice Hockey Championship in 1937 and 1938.

He later became prominent in administering the sport at an international level, becoming the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1957. He held this post until 1960, then again from 1963–66 and 1969–75. From 1951 until 1969, he was Vice President whenever he did not hold the Presidency. He was also the Secretary of the British Ice Hockey Association from 1934 to 1971, then its President until 1982.

Awards

• Named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.
• Named to the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986.
• Named to the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1997.

References

• Bunny Ahearne's biography at Legends of Hockey

Preceded by Walter Brown	President of the IIHF 1957–60	Succeeded by Robert Lebel
Preceded by Robert Lebel	President of the IIHF 1963–66	Succeeded by William Thayer Tutt
Preceded by William Thayer Tutt	President of the IIHF 1969–75	Succeeded by Dr Günther Sabetzki
Preceded by Sir Victor Tait K.B.E.	President of the BIHA 1971–82	Succeeded by Frederick Meredith