Copper was born and
raised in Newfoundland and is considered to be one of the
finest hockey players the province has ever produced. From
his high school performances in the early 1940's through
provincial senior hockey to Quebec junior hockey and
Canadian senior hockey, Copper displayed great skill as a
puck handler combined with exceptional skating and an
intense desire to play at his highest level at all times.
He arrived in Chatham in 1956 to play for the Senior
Maroons helping to win the Allen Cup in 1959-60 and some
people consider him to be the finest player ever to put on
a Maroon uniform. Copper continues to reside in Chatham.
- 1947
- At age 16 joined the Barchans' Miners senior team
where he played for 3 years culminating with the
team winning the Herder Trophy emblematic of the
provincial senior championship in 1949-50
- 1950-51
- Played for Quebec Citadel major junior hockey team
and was second line center behind superstar Jean
Beliveau who centered first line - team lost in
Memorial Cup finals to Barrie Flyers
- 1951-53
- Played for Quebec Aces Senior team along with
Beliveau and Coach Punch Imlach ; 1952 he
moved back to play defence; went to 3 training
camps with the Montreal Canadians and played in
several exhibition games
- 1952
- Team won Alexander Cup emblematic of top
senior team in Eastern Canada
- 1953-56
- Was an outstanding member of Glace Bay Miners,
Charlottetown Islanders, and Amherst Ramblers of the
Maritime Senior Hockey League; nominated by Chatham
Maroons for the 1956 Allan Cup finals
- 1956-61
- Starred for Chatham Senior Maroons; in 1960 team
defeated Trail British Columbia Smoke Eaters to win
Allan Cup with Copper and goaltender Cesare Maniago
emerging as the best performers
After retiring from playing in 1961, Copper coached the
Junior Maroons and then Chatham Minor Hockey teams until
1974. In 1998 Copper was inducted into the
Newfound and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame in the Athlete
Category.
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Position: Puck Handler