Thomas (Tom) Hooper was born in Kenora in 1883, and played his first organized hockey with his local high school team in 1900. That team was so good that they beat the town's senior team in an exhibition contest. In 1901 Hooper advanced to the senior club, the Kenora Thistles, where he stayed until 1907.

In his first year with the Thistles the team won the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario League Championship. During his stay with the Thistles Tom competed in three Stanley Cup Challenges, winning the title in January of 1907 against the Montreal Wanderers. The following season he travelled east to play hockey first with the Montreal AAA before joining the Montreal Wanderers serving on their 1908 Stanley Cup winning roster.

Hooper retired from hockey following the 1908 season having enjoyed two Stanley Cup victories during his 7 year career. In 1962 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his contribution to Canada's hockey heritage.

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 26, 1987