The Toronto Huskies, though short-lived, assembled a roster of players who were part of the pioneering era of professional basketball in the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Their single season in 1946–47 saw a mix of talent, some of whom would go on to have longer careers in the nascent league, while others' time in the BAA was as brief as the Huskies' existence. Examining this roster provides a snapshot of the early professional basketball landscape.
Key Players and Their Contributions
One of the most notable figures on the Huskies' roster was Ed Sadowski. He began the season as both a player and coach and was initially the team's top scorer. In his 10 games with the Huskies, Sadowski averaged an impressive 19.1 points per game. However, his tenure was cut short when he resigned as coach and was later traded to the Cleveland Rebels for Leo Mogus. Mogus, at the time, was considered one of the league's top scorers, and his acquisition was a significant move for the Huskies.
Mike McCarron emerged as the team's leading scorer over the full season, accumulating 649 points in all 60 games. He and Dick Fitzgerald were the only players to appear in every game for the Huskies. Other players who contributed to the team included George Nostrand, who at 6 feet 8 inches was the tallest Husky initially, and Kleggie Hermsen, who was acquired in a trade for Nostrand. In February 1947, the Huskies also brought in Ralph Siewert, who, at 7 feet 1 inch, was the tallest player in the league. Despite his height, Siewert's impact was limited, averaging just 1.1 points per game with the Huskies and recording the lowest field goal percentage on the team.
Canadian Representation and Post-Huskies Careers
The Toronto Huskies, being the only Canadian team in the BAA, featured two Canadian players on their roster: Hank Biasatti and Gino Sovran. Both played a limited role, each appearing in only six games for the team. Their presence, however, marked an early instance of Canadian talent in what would become the NBA.
After the Huskies folded, the careers of many of their players took different paths. Of the 20 players who played for the Huskies, only five went on to play 10 or more games in the BAA/NBA after the 1946–47 season. These players were Ed Sadowski, Leo Mogus, Kleggie Hermsen, George Nostrand, and Dick Schulz. Kleggie Hermsen had the longest career among them, retiring in 1953 as a member of the Indianapolis Olympians, making him the last active NBA player from the original Huskies roster. Interestingly, neither of the Huskies' head coaches, nor their interim coaches, would coach another game in the BAA/NBA after their time in Toronto, highlighting the transient nature of the early league and the challenges faced by its inaugural teams.
