Peter Bessone

Peter Angelo "Pete" Bessone (January 13, 1913 — December 5, 1989) was a retired ice hockey player. Bessone played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, and in the American Hockey League with the Cleveland Barons, Providence Reds, Pittsburgh Hornets and Springfield Indians of the International Hockey League. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.

Peter Bessone
Born (1913-01-13)January 13, 1913
New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died December 5, 1989(1989-12-05) (aged 76)
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Left
Played for Detroit Red Wings
Pittsburgh Hornets
Cleveland Barons
Providence Reds
National team  United States
Playing career 1931–1950
Peter Bessone
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
1934 Milan, Italy

Career

Early career

As a high school student, Pete Bessone was a three-sport athlete at West Springfield, High, playing football, baseball and, ice hockey.[1] Following his completion of high school Bessone began his hockey career locally playing in Springfield, Massachusetts for the West Side Ranges.[2] In 1931 Bessone left the united States to play hockey in France,[1] he joined the Rapides de Paris,[3] leading to a very successful French career. While playing for Stade Français, Bessone was considered the top hockey draw in France and some even called him the Babe Ruth of hockey in Paris.[1]

In 1934 Bessone represented the United States at the World Championships in Milan, Italy. In the semi-final versus Germany, Bessone scored two of the US' three goals. The Americans took the Silver medal finishing only behind Canada.[1]

Return to the States

Following the 1936 season Bessone returned from France, with the intention of playing professionally in North America. Bessone joined the Pittsburgh Yellowjackets of the EAHL, where he scored six goals and 10 points through 47 games. He so impressed that season that he was offered a contract by the NHL's Detroit Red Wings.[4] Bassone began the 1937-38 season with Detroit Pontiacs, a Red Wings' farm team. Thanks to an injury to Wing's defensemen Ebbie Goodfellow Bessone was called up, making his debut on January 16, 1938 against the Montreal Maroons. After his debut Bessone was believed to be a solid prospect.[5] However, after only six games with the Red Wings and 15 with the Pontiacs Bassone was sent to the Pittsburgh Hornets of the AHL; he would never play in the NHL again.[4]

AHL career

Bessone continued to play for the Hornets for the next five years.[4] In 1942 Bessone was selected to start in the AHL's first All-star game. The game was held in Cleveland, Ohio, with the intent of to raise money in support of American and Canadian armed forces serving in World War II, the contest raised $4,132 towards this goal.[6] Bessone's long tenure in Pittsburgh finally came to a close in 1943 when the Hornets traded Bessone to the Cleveland Barons for defensemen Fred Robertson.[7]

Bessone spent three seasons in Cleveland. His short time with the Barons however saw the high point of Bessone's career, as the Barons won the 1944-45 Calder Cup as league champions.[8] It was the only North American Championship Bessone would win. After his time in Cleveland Bessone spent one more year in the AHL playing for the Providence Reds.

Post playing career

In 1947 Bessone returned to France to be the head coach of the Paris Racing Club hockey team.[4] He coached them for two seasons before returning to the states to coach the Springfield Indians of the IHL he would play 4 games as a player-coach. Following the 1949-50 season Bessone retired from hockey for good.[1]

In 1978 Bessone was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of fame, 14 years later he was joined by his brother Amo Bessone.[9]

References
  1. "U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame: Pete Bessone". USA Hockey.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  2. "Yes, Indeed! Indians Are Our "Cousins"". The Pittsburgh Press. 1938-03-02. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  3. "BE". A to Z Hockey.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-23. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  4. "Pete Bessone". Legends of Hockey.net. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  5. Herbie Lewis (1938-01-17). "Detroit Struggle Ends in Stalemate Before 8,000 Fans". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  6. Robert Ritzman (2009-01-22). "Canadian transplanted to Wilbraham brought back the AHL All-Star game". The Republican. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  7. Phil gundelfinger, Jr. (1944-01-26). "Hornets meet Barons Here Tonight". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  8. "Calder Cup Champions: the Players". The AHL.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  9. "U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Enshrinees". USA Hockey.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-23. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
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