The name Fred Glover might not be well known around NHL circles. However, Glover is by far one of the greatest to play in the American Hockey League. Fred played close to 100 games in the National Hockey League before becoming one of the AHL’s all-time leaders in pretty much every offensive category.
Glover played most of his time in the NHL on the same roster as Gordie Howe and played a similar game. Offense. Longevity. Toughness. Leadership. The two were very similar and had the NHL consisted of more than six team at the time, Fred’s name might have been just as well known as Howe’s today.
Fred Glover – Junior
Fred played two years in the Ontario Hockey Association (predecessor to the Ontario Hockey League) as a junior in 1945-46 and 1946-47 with the Galt Red Wings. In his final year, Glover led the team in goals and points with 34 and 60 over 32 games. Each team that year played 36 regular season games.
His 34 goals placed him second in the league, behind just Fleming Mackell. Fred’s assist total tied him for ninth and he placed fourth in the OHA for points. Galt finished third in the ten team league behind Toronto St. Michael’s and the Oshawa Generals. In the Robertson Cup playoffs, the Red Wings beat out the Stratford Kroehlers and Barrie Flyers before being swept by St. Michael’s in the finals.
Fred Glover – NHL
Fred first played in the NHL during the 1948-49 playoffs when he appeared in two games with the Detroit Red Wings. Again in 1950-51, he appeared in the NHL post season after not playing a single game during the regular season. He played six games for Detroit. The Red Wings placed first overall that year but fell to the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round, 4-2.
Glover had his most complete NHL season in 1951-52, playing 54 games with the Red Wings. Unfortunately, before he could play in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Fred was sent down to the Indianapolis Capitals in the AHL. As luck would have it, Detroit swept their way to the Stanley Cup that year, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens in the least amount of games.
Fred played half a season with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1952-53 before heading to the AHL for good. Over his time in the NHL, Glover scored 13 goals and assisted on 11 for 24 points over 92 regular season games. In his eight playoff games, Fred failed to register a point.
Fred Glover – AHL
1,201 regular season games, 520 goals, 814 assists, 1,334 points and 2,402 penalty minutes. Glover was tops in every category when he retired. Shortly after, Willie Marshall moved ahead in games played, goals, assists and points. The two are still 1-2 in each category while Glover has fallen to sixth in penalty minutes. It’s pretty tight at the top, though. Fred is just three goals and four games played behind Marshall. In the Calder Cup playoffs, Glover played an additional 120 games, adding 104 points.
Fred Glover Collection:
Fred played in the AHL from 1948-49 to 1967-68 with the Indianapolis Capitals and Cleveland Barons. He was with the Barons from 1952-53 until the end of his playing career. His career high is goals scored came during the 1950-51 season with the Capitals. He scored 48 goals over 69 regular season games and led the AHL in that category.
Glover led the Barons to three Calder Cup championships. In 1953-54, the Barons were outscored in the finals, 19-18, but were able to defeat the Hershey Bears in six games. In 1956-57, victory was at the hands of the Rochester Americans in five games. Three of those five games were decided in overtime. 1963-64 was Cleveland’s most convincing Calder Cup victory. The Barons went 9-0 during the playoffs, sweeping the Quebec Aces in four in the finals.
Often among the American Hockey League’s offensive leaders, Fred was awarded the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as scoring leader on two occasions. In 1956-57, he scored 42 and assisted on 57 for 99 points over 64 games. Glover placed second in goals, third in assists while leading the league in points.
In 1959-60, Glover led the AHL in scoring one more time. Over 72 games with the Barons, Fred scored 38 and assisted on 69 for 107 points. It was the only time he reached the 100 point plateau. Glover placed second in the AHL for goals and led in assists and points.
Glover was honoured with the Les Cunningham Award as AHL MVP on three occasions, 1959-60, 1961-62 and 1963-64. Five years after he passed away in 2001, Fred was posthumously inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame in its inaugural year.
Fred Glover – Coach
From 1962-63 to 1967-68, Glover also acted as the head coach of the Cleveland Barons. Upon retiring as a player, Fred moved directly behind the bench in the National Hockey League. He was the head coach of the Oakland Seals in 1968-69 and 1969-70. In 1970-71, the team’s name changed to the California Golden Seals and Glover added general manager to his title.
Fred was replaced midseason 1971-72 and took over the vacant head coaching job with the Los Angeles Kings for the rest of the year. However, Glover made amends and was back as head coach and general manager of the Golden Seals in 1972-73. Midway through 1973-74, Fred was fired for good and missed his chance to relocate with the franchise to Cleveland and be part of the resurrection of the Cleveland Barons name.
Fred Glover – Hockey Cards
Despite his short stay in the NHL, Glover managed to get his face on two hockey cards. The Fred Glover rookie card is number 60 in the 1951-52 Parkhurst set and depicts him as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. In the 1952-53 Parkhurst set, Fred is shown as a member of the Chicago Black Hawks on card number 40. Both cards are valued as common.
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1946-47 | Galt Red Wings | OHA | 32 | 34 | 26 | 60 | 67 |
| 1947-48 | Omaha Knights | USHL | 66 | 16 | 39 | 55 | 79 |
| 1948-49 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 68 | 35 | 48 | 83 | 59 |
| 1948-49 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | Playoffs only | ||||
| 1949-50 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 55 | 22 | 29 | 51 | 65 |
| 1949-50 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950-51 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 69 | 48 | 36 | 84 | 106 |
| 1950-51 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | Playoffs only | ||||
| 1951-52 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 10 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 8 |
| 1951-52 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 54 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 25 |
| 1952-53 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 31 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 37 |
| 1952-53 | St. Louis-Cleveland | AHL | 36 | 12 | 19 | 31 | 82 |
| 1953-54 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 55 | 23 | 42 | 65 | 117 |
| 1954-55 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 58 | 33 | 42 | 75 | 108 |
| 1955-56 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 64 | 31 | 48 | 79 | 187 |
| 1956-57 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 64 | 42 | 57 | 99 | 111 |
| 1957-58 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 64 | 28 | 48 | 76 | 147 |
| 1958-59 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 66 | 22 | 39 | 61 | 136 |
| 1959-60 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 72 | 38 | 69 | 107 | 143 |
| 1960-61 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 61 | 23 | 46 | 69 | 138 |
| 1961-62 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 70 | 40 | 45 | 85 | 148 |
| 1962-63 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 71 | 26 | 54 | 80 | 171 |
| 1963-64 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 69 | 26 | 50 | 76 | 155 |
| 1964-65 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 72 | 20 | 41 | 61 | 208 |
| 1965-66 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 47 | 8 | 28 | 36 | 74 |
| 1966-67 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 60 | 25 | 35 | 60 | 107 |
| 1967-68 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 70 | 13 | 32 | 45 | 132 |
| NHL Totals | 92 | 13 | 11 | 24 | 62 | ||