Dolly Dolson

With all the great goaltenders that have played for the Detroit Red Wings, who do you think holds the team record for the lowest goals against average over one season? Terry Sawchuk? No! Apple Cheeks Lumley? Good guess, but nope. Chris Osgood? Sorry.

The answer is Clarence Dolson!

Who?

Clarence Dolson.

Born in Hespeler, Ontario way back in 1897, Dolson was a pint-sized goalie who wowed everybody but Detroit (at that time they were called the Cougars) boss Jack Adams. Despite having an incredible 1928-29 rookie season which included 19 wins in 44 games, 10 shutouts and a GAA of just 1.37, Adams didn't feel that the man nicknamed Dolly was a legitimate big league netminder.

Adams replaced Dolson with Bill Beveridge for the 1929-30 season, but had to return to Dolson in 1930-31 when Beveridge joined the Ottawa Senators. Dolson wasn't able to duplicate his magic of two years ago, though he was respectable with 6 shutouts and a 2.29 GAA on a bad team.

The following year the Ottawa Senators folded up shop for the year and their players were dispersed around the league. Detroit was quick to gobble up star netminded Alex Connell. Connell would play only the one season in Detroit, and the Wings acquired John Ross Roach from the New York Rangers to guard the net.

Clarence played sparingly from 1931-1933 in the minor leagues with the IAHL's Cleveland Indians.