BIRTHPLACE: Medford, Mass.

BORN: March 2, 1927

DIED: November 1, 1990

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: Dartmouth College, United States National Team, United States Olympic Team

After starring as an all-state goaltender at Medford High School, Richard Desmond, who was also named as the state’s most valuable player, went on to play at Vermont Academy in Saxton River in 1945.  From there he went on to play at Dartmouth College, when the Big Green was a hockey power in the East.  He was instrumental in Dartmouth’s success from 1945-50, and even led the school to a share of the North American Hockey title with the University of Toronto in 1947.  He then led Dartmouth to the NCAA Finals in 1949, where he was selected as an All-Ivy League goaltender. 

Desmond was also active on the International scene as a member of the 1950 National team which won the silver medal in the World Hockey Tournament in London.  There, he served as the team’s only goalie, and, after letting in just 12 goals in seven games, was named as the tourney’s most valuable player.

Desmond was then placed on temporary duty from the Air Force with the 1952 United States Olympic team, which won the silver medal in Oslo, losing only to Czechoslovakia and tying Canada.   All in all, in his 60 games with the squad, he had an impressive 2.98 goal against average.

Dick and his family later made their residence in Palo Verdes, California, where he continued to give back to the game of hockey.