Stan Kemp

Stan Kemp is a chartered member of the NHL's "One Game Wonder" club.

Kemp was an AHL regular during the 1940s, starring with the Providence Reds and Pittsburgh Hornets. Debuting as a 19 year old in 1943 after being honorably discharged from the military, the former Hamilton Whizzers junior player quickly established himself as an offensive defenseman. The 5'9" 170lb right-handed rearguard from Hamilton reached double digits in goals scored in five of his seven full AHL season in an era where that was not common.

He was in the middle of an AHL all-star season in 1948-49 when the Toronto Maple Leafs called him up for what would prove to be his only NHL game. That game came on January 23rd, 1949, a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Kemp, wearing #16, made his only mark on the boxscore that night with a 2 minute minor penalty for tripping. Unfortunately for him, Gordie Howe, in his first game back after missing 20 with a foot injury, scored on the power play.

Kemp was returned to Pittsburgh soon after, where he finished the season as a second team all star. Somewhat oddly, that would prove to be Kemp's final season in the pros.

Kemp, nicknamed by teammates as "Bud," returned to Southern Ontario where he opened his own construction company, a profitable venture which he oversaw until his death in August 1999.

Though he left the pros in 1949, his hockey career was far from over. He played several years of senior hockey in Hamilton, Kitchener and Stratford.