Stewart Iglehart

Stewart Birrell Iglehart (February 22, 1910 – December 19,1993) was a rancher, ice hockey and polo player.[1] He was born in Valparaíso, Chile but moved to the United States at a young age. As a child he learned to play both ice hockey and polo. While in prep school he was offered a professional ice hockey contract but declined. Following prep school he attended Yale University, where he continued to play ice hockey and polo. He became one of the best defensemen in college hockey and was selected to play in two different Winter Olympics. Iglehart did not attend either. In 1933 he played for Team USA at the World Ice Hockey Championships, winning a gold medal. Following the tournament he continued to play amateur hockey, but quit to concentrate on polo.

Stewart Iglehart
Born (1910-02-22)February 22, 1910
Valparaíso, Chile
Died December 19, 1993(1993-12-19) (aged 83)
Position Defense
Played for Yale University
New York Athletic Club
Crescent-Hamilton A.C.
New York Rovers
St. Nicholas Hockey Club
National team  United States
Playing career 1969–1975
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1933 Czechoslovakia

As a polo player he won multiple championships and became a 10-goal rated player. He represented the United States internationally on several occasions. After his retirement from competitive athletics Iglehart owned a cattle ranch in Florida. He was elected to both the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame.[2]

Biography

Iglehart was born in Valparaíso, Chile,[3] to a father who owned a steamship line,[4] moving to the United States at the age of 6.[1] He began playing hockey at age 10[1] and was taught by a former Harvard University player who emphasized lower body strength and using deceptive motions using his shoulders and eyes.[3] At age 14 he began playing the sport of polo as well, though he considered it secondary to hockey at the time.[5] While playing hockey at Pawling Preparatory, he was offered a professional contract from Lester Patrick, manager of the National Hockey League's (NHL) New York Rangers. He declined the offer as he had no interest in playing professional sports.[1]

In 1928 Iglehart began playing with the varsity team at Yale University. In 1931 he helped Yale win the Intercollegiate Championship.[3] During his time at Yale Iglehart was regarded as one of the most outstanding defensemen in the college game.[3] In 1932 he was selected to play for Team USA at the 1932 Winter Olympics but was unable to participate.[6] However, he was able to represent the United States the following year at the World Ice Hockey Championships. At the tournament he played right wing and center in addition to defense as Team USA won the gold medal.[3] Following the World Championship tournament Iglehart played in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) for the New York Rovers. He was considered one of the top amateur players during his time with the Rovers. At this time the Rovers were the farm team for the Rangers.[5][6] In 1936 he was selected to represent America at the 1936 Winter Olympics, but was again unable to participate due to other responsibilities.[3] He stopped playing hockey that same year in order to concentrate on playing polo.[5]

Iglehart became an accomplished polo player earning a 10-goal rating,[7] winning five Open Championships, and two Indoor Polo Open Championships. He represented The United States internationally on four occasions.[2] In 1936 he was part of a group that attempted to purchase the NHL's New York Americans.[4] In 1946 he was captain of the US Polo team that defeated Mexico at the United States Open Championship.[6]

Following his playing days Iglehart and his brother Philip L. B. Iglehart owned a 24,000 acre cattle ranch in Okeechobee, Florida.[6] He was inducted to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975,[8] and was an inaugural member of the Polo Hall of Fame in 1990.[9] Iglehart died in 1993.[10]

References
  1. "Sociallite is a Star at Hockey and Polo". The Milwaukee Journal. 4 February 1937. p. 9. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  2. "Inductee to the Polo Hall of Fame: Stewart Iglehart". Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  3. "Stewart Iglehart United States Hockey Hall of Fame Profile". United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  4. "Dwyer Opposes Patrick". The Vancouver Sun. 30 October 1936. p. 26. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  5. "Whitneys to Battle for Polo Title". The Sunday Morning Star. 28 August 1938. p. 28. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  6. Spalding, Jesse (24 December 1961). "Iglehart Makes Sport Go Easy". Palm Beach Daily News. p. 8. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  7. "Dimaggio, Feller in Ball Spotlight Share Honors With Three Other Newcomers for First Year Sports Feats". The Montreal Gazette. 24 December 1936. p. 14. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  8. "U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Enshrinees". United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  9. "Hall of Fame List of Inductees (By Year of Induction)". Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  10. "Paid Obituaries". Sun-Sentinel. 21 December 1993. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
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