Jimmy Orlando
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James "Jimmy" Orlando - (February 10, 1910 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada – October 24, 1992) was a professional hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL from 1937 to 1943.
[edit] Playing career
Jimmy Orlando was an enforcer throughout his NHL career. He averaged over 80 PIM's per season, twice posting 99 penalty minutes in a single season in 1941 and again in 1943. He posted 111 Penalty minutes in 1942. He helped the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1943. After missing 2 years of hockey while fighting in World War II he returned to Canada and played in the Quebec Senior Hockey League from 1945–1951. He retired from hockey after the 1951 season.
When Jimmy, then known as 'the bad man on ice', was arrested by the FBI in 1944, for claiming to be in an essential war effort job, & after being bailed out by the Wings president, he promptly jumped bail, returning to Canada. He then joined the Canadian Army, but was thereafter, a 'wanted man' in the US, effectively ending his NHL career. Several legal appeals failed to change anything for Jimmy, so, he became the manager of the 'El Morocco' nightclub in Montreal, working for owner Eddie Quinn, the wrestling 'czar'.
It was at the El Morocco that Jimmy met Lili St. Cyr, then on her way to becoming the most famous burlesque dancer of all time. Quinn was Lili's 'sugar-daddy', but had Jimmy act as a 'beard' when Mrs. Quinn was around. One of the great romances of the century soon followed lasting for many years, in amongst Lili's six marriages & Jimmy's dalliances. Jimmy played with several of the Quebec Senior Hockey League teams up until 1951, but once you've played with Lili St. Cyr.[1]
Orlando went on to own several of his own night spots which were favorite hangouts for Montreal's many jazz musicians & gangsters. Jimmy also refereed big-time wrestling matches at the Montreal Forum & remained a much beloved celebrity to the end.
[edit] Awards and achievements
- 1948, 1949 QSHL First All-Star Team
- 1943 Stanley Cup Championship (Detroit)
- 1939 IAHL Second All-Star Team