| After winning the Allan Cup with the Regina Abbotts in 1940-41, Grant Warwick embarked on an 11-year professional hockey career that included nine seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. He was the NHL's Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year in 1941-42. Following his days as a pro, Warwick had his amateur status reinstated and joined his brothers Bill and Dick with the Penticton Vees in 1952-53. In 1953-54, he played for another Allan Cup winner in Penticton.
In 1955, the Vees represented Canada at the World Championships and Grant Warwick served as the team's playing coach. He scored six goals in eight games at the world tournament, including a tie-breaking goal late in the second game that led the Canadian team to a key 5-3 win over the gold medal contenders from Czechoslovakia. Following that victory Canada breezed to the World Championship with a perfect 8-0 record, including a convincing 5-0 win over the Soviet Union in the final game.
Penticton's win at the 1955 World Championships followed the Soviets' first victory the year before. When he was presented with the World Championship trophy, Grant Warwick declared that he was bringing it back to Canada where it belonged and would keep it there. When the International Ice Hockey Federation ordered Warwick to return the trophy in 1956, he had an exact replica made and sent it overseas instead. The original World Championship trophy would remain in Penticton. |
