NHL’s Haunted Hall of Fame

This articles was originally published on Yahoo Sports October 2010.

 

The Hockey Hall of Fame located in Toronto is dedicated to not just the NHL, but to the entire sport of ice hockey. It is home to countless pieces of hockey memorabilia, exhibits honoring the many great legends of the sport. The Hall of Fame also houses the famed, Stanley Cup during the NHL season. And, since 1993 when the Hall moved into its permanent address at a former Bank of Montreal building, it is also the residence of Dorothy, a ghost who supposedly haunts hockey’s most hallowed ground.

Dorothy is believed to be the spirit of an employee of the Bank of Montreal who committed suicide while at work. According to Ethan Trex in his article, 5 Ghosts Haunting The Sports World, “As the legend goes, Dorothy was a vivacious teller at the bank when, in 1953, she showed up for work early and promptly shot herself.”

It was not long after Dorothy’s tragic death reports began to surface of odd noises and strange occurrences happening at the bank. These apparent haunting-related activities have continued to occur at the Hockey Hall of Fame since it took up residence in the building in 1993. There have been claims by staff, employees, and fans alike detailing cold spots as well as hearing phantom footsteps walking around the halls.

In Paul McLaughlin’s article, Hockey Hall of Fame ghost revealed at last he wrote, “There have been countless reports of strange occurrences in the building over the decades believed to be connected to Dorothy: lights flicking on and off; doors and windows opening and closing for no apparent reason; and moans, screams, and other eerie sounds echoing through the historic structure. Some staff and employees have heard footsteps when working alone at night. A few have felt a phantom hand on their shoulder or leg.”

One of the more well-known encounters involved Joanna Jordan, a Toronto musician. While playing the harp at an event, Ms. Jordan reported seeing a female spirit watching her from a second floor ceiling. When the Hockey Hall of Fame opened in 1993 Ms. Jordan was again asked to play, and she refused to go to that same second floor alone saying, “It was just too spooky up there.” When asked about her experience Ms. Jordan stated, “I remember it so vividly because it’s one of those things you’ll never forget.”

In Paul McLaughlin’s previously mentioned article he also details the encounter former Hall of Fame employee, Rob Hynes had with Dorothy in a kitchen area. Mr. Hynes reported feeling like he was being watched before seeing a piece of furniture move on its own. Mr. Hynes is quoted as saying, “One of the chairs, and this is the God’s honest truth, was turning, as if a breeze was in there. It actually moved right into my hand. I’m rather skeptical about ghosts, but I just freaked out and ran out of there.”

Over the years the true identity of Dorothy has been heavily scrutinized. There have been all kinds of rumors and wild stories about who she was and why she shot herself. One such theory reported Dorothy had been caught trying to steal money from the bank and another had her helping the Irish Republican Army in a plot to rob the bank to fund their cause. At one point a psychic claimed Dorothy had actually been murdered because she unwittingly uncovered a money embezzling scheme involving a bank manager, judge, and the Chief of Police.

It was not until 2009 when The Star newspaper discovered Dorothy’s true identity as part of their investigation into the reported suicide in 1953. The Star discovered Dorothy was actually Dorothea Mae Elliot, a 19-year old bank teller who had in fact shot herself in March of 1953 at the bank. She died many hours later at St. Michael’s Hospital. After talking to family and former co-workers of Dorothea it was reported she had been having an affair with a married bank employee which unfortunately led to her tragic decision to take her own life.

The sport of hockey is rich in history and tradition. The NHL has probably one of the most rabid and dedicated fanbases in all of professional sports. Many of these same fans flock to Toronto every year to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame. While there they can visit the actual Stanley Cup, see exhibits dedicated to the sport, as well as pay homage to their favorite players. Many come as well hoping to catch a glimpse of Dorothy or have a paranormal experience of their own with the ghost purportedly haunting the building for over 50 years making the Hockey Hall of Fame one of the most haunted places in sports.

 

Trex, Ethan, 5 Ghosts Haunting The Sports World, Mental Floss.com

 

McLaughlin, Paul, Hockey Hall of Fame ghost revealed at last, Thestar.com