Raymie Skilton Explained

Birth Date:September 26, 1889
Birth Place:Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:190
Position:Defense
Shoots:Right
Played For:Montreal Wanderers
Career Start:1911
Career End:1923

Raymond Nelson Skilton (September 26, 1889 – July 1, 1961) was an American ice hockey defenseman who played one game in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Wanderers. The rest of his career was spent playing amateur hockey in the Boston area, and he retired in 1923.

Playing career

Skilton was working as a munitions expert posted by the U.S. government in Montreal and offered the Wanderers $1 to play in the NHL. His lone game came on December 22, 1917, against the Montreal Canadiens. He continued to play amateur hockey in the Boston area after World War I.[1]

Legal issues

In 1926, Skilton was found not guilty of leaving the scene of an accident.[2]

In 1928, Skilton was charged with larceny of $10,000 from the Framingham National Bank. The bank accused Skilton of making a false statement by claiming assets of over $150,000 during loan negotiations when he was virtually bankrupt. Skilton contented that the bank knew of his financial situation and was acquitted.[3] He later sued the bank and 10 individuals for malicious prosecution. He sought $1.5 million but a jury awarded him $13,508 from one defendant – Framingham police chief William W. Holbrook.[4]

On January 21, 1929, Skilton was found in contempt of court for failing to pay a $287.19 judgment against him. He was released from jail later that day after arranging to pay the judgment.[5]

In 1939, Skilton was shot by his father-in-law Sewall Ellison.[6] Ellison claimed that Skilton had attacked him and his gun went off accidentally when he drew it in self-defense. He was found not guilty of attempted murder.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
1911–12Boston AA UnicornsBSrHA
1912–13Sherbrooke SaintsIPAHU
1913–14Boston Irish AmericansExib7 8 0 8
1914–15Boston ArenasExhib5 9 0 9 6 7 0 7
1915–16Boston AA UnicornsAAHL7 2 0 2 3 2 0 2
1916–17Boston ArenasAAHL8 4 0 4
1917–18Montreal WanderersNHL1 0 0 0 0
1917–18Boston Navy YardUSNHL11 11 0 11
1920–21Boston Shoe TradesUSAHA3 2 0 2
1921–22Boston Shoe TradesUSAHA
1922–23Boston VicsNHL3 1 0 1
NHL totals1 0 0 0 0

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pelletier. Joe. Raymie Skilton. GreatestHockeyLegends.com. 11 October 2012.
  2. News: Raymie Skilton Found Not Guilty . The Boston Globe . February 26, 1926.
  3. News: "Raymie" Skilton Found Not Guilty . The Boston Globe . November 24, 1928.
  4. News: Skilton Verdict $13,508 From Framingham Chief . The Boston Globe . May 18, 1935.
  5. News: Skilton Arranges to Pay Judgment, Escapes Jail . The Boston Globe . January 22, 1929.
  6. News: Ex-Hockey Star Raymond Skilton Shot in Quarrel . The Boston Globe . August 28, 1929.
  7. News: Jury Acquits Ellison of Intent to Murder Newton Man at Camp . The Boston Globe . December 14, 1939.