Jake Milford one of NHLs finest general managers

John Calverley "Jake" Milford, one of the finest hockey minds of his era, will be inducted into the P.E.I Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside.
Born in Charlottetown in July 1914, Milford moved out West as a young man but never forgot his Island roots and was a regular visitor to his home province. Milford was a fine junior player in Manitoba. He spurned offers from the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, electing instead to play in England with the Wembley team who offered far greater financial incentives than could be made in the National Hockey League in pre-war times.
After serving in the war, Milford returned home and played in the American Hockey League. He became a unique note in the history books, when he was traded by the Springfield Indians to the Buffalo Bisons for two sets of goal nets. To add salt to the injury, the nets were used.
However, his time as a junior and in the minors sharpened his mind to the coaching and business side of the sport, and on his retirement as a player he became a coach and manager. He worked in the New York Rangers' system for many years, grooming future stars and winning four Central Hockey League Championships. The CHL still honours its Coach of the Year with the Jake Milford trophy.
In 1973 Jake took on the general manager's duties of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. Under his guidance the team played its best hockey to date, setting a franchise record in 1974-75 with 105 points. In 1977 he moved to Vancouver to take on GM duties with the Canucks, and his work there culminated with the franchise's first ever appearance in the Stanley Cup final in 1982. The Canucks alumni recognize Milford by naming their annual charity golf fundraiser after him.
His P.E.I. Hall of Fame induction citation reads: "Always known as a fine judge of talent and a shrewd trader, Milford trained many fine players, coaches and general managers, and was respected by all."
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984, alongside Toronto Maple Leafs coach George "Punch" Imlach, and passed away that same year after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jake's son, John, who performed his induction in 1984, will be traveling from his home in Calgary, Alta., to perform the induction of his father into the Island Hall.