Danny Cox came to the Lakehead from Little Current, Ontario with his parents in 1912 at the age of nine, and quickly began developing his hockey skills on the rinks of Port Arthur. After making a name for himself in the local church and junior leagues, he advanced to the senior ranks where he helped the Port Arthur Seniors claim back-to-back Allan Cup titles in 1924-25 and 1925-26.

 

His talents saw him embark upon a professional career which began with the Hamilton Tigers at the opening of the 1926-27 season. However, it was not long before the NHL came calling, and Danny joined the Toronto St. Pats line-up later that season. Danny remained with the club when they became the Maple Leafs in 1927, only leaving midway through the 1929-30 season in a trade for Frank Nighbor.

 

After a full season with the Senators, Danny spent 1931-32 on loan to the Detroit Falcons as the Senators suspended operations, returning to Ottawa for 1932-33; he spent his eighth and final NHL season with the New York Rangers in 1933-34. Cox was versatile on the ice, shifting between left wing, centre and defence throughout his 319 NHL games, during which he amassed 47 goals and 49 assists.

 

After his NHL career Danny made his presence felt in the U.S. hockey scene, serving as a playing coach with the Minneapolis Millers, Philadelphia Ramblers, Seattle Seahawks, Wichita Skyhawks, Seattle Olympics and Philadelphia Rockets through to the early 1940s.

 

Retiring as a player in 1942, Cox returned to the Lakehead with the desire to give back to his sporting community. He coached the senior Port Arthur Shipbuilders (PASCO) in 1942-43 and undertook officiating duties in the junior and minor hockey leagues, serving as Referee-in-Chief for the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association; in this capacity he oversaw three Allan Cup finals, two Memorial Cup championships and seven Western Canada Allan Cup finals.

 

During the summer months, Danny could always be found on the baseball diamonds of Port Arthur. He played for the PASCO's, the Port Arthur Elks, the Garrison Club, and the Old Timers, also serving as a player manager for the Port Arthur Grads. As versatile in ball as in hockey, he was a solid performer at the pitcher's mound, home plate, first base and the outfield. In his later years he was also a moving force behind area Little League, taking on the role of Chief Umpire Consultant for the district in 1964.

 

Cox was a founding member of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, but sadly he passed away in August of 1983 mere months before he was inducted as part of the first class of honoured members on October 1st of that year.

 

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, October 1, 1983