Born in Guelph on April 12th, 1920, Lloyd ‘Apple’ Finkbeiner was one of the best hockey players Guelph produced through the 1930s and 40s.
He played minor hockey in the Royal City before graduating to Junior A with the Guelph Indians of the Ontario Hockey League. In his rookie season with the Indians in 1937-38 he participated in the Memorial Cup playdowns. During his career he played a little left wing but mostly as a rock solid, tough defenseman. He made it to the NHL with the New York Americans during the 1940-41 season, but really made his mark playing professionally with some of the top affiliate teams of the time.
He left professional hockey to represent his country in World War II but returned to play for the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League in 1945. One newspaper said of Finkbeiner: “He is 5’ 10 1/2 inches and scales 175 pounds, all dynamite.”
Along the way he was captain of the Dallas Texans of the U.S. Hockey League where he rang up 8 goals, 30 points and 126 minutes in penalties one season. He was an all-star with the Bisons in the AHL where his robust play made him a huge favourite with the fans. He also played in the International Hockey League with the Cincinnati Mohawks and finished his career with the Stratford Indians of the OHA Senior League.
Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame – Athlete category – on May 7, 2003
