Source: 153rd Wellington.
Brother to William Russell Wood, reg. no. 928608.
Family Search: When Private Cosford Reynolds Wood was born on 15 October 1898, in Salem, Wellington, Ontario, Canada, his father, William James Wood, was 45 and his mother, Elizabeth Cosford, was 42. He married Elizabeth Violet Vivette Mills on 21 August 1926, in Elora, Wellington, Ontario, Canada. They were the parents of at least 1 son. He lived in Wellington, Ontario, Canada for about 10 years. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1915, at the age of 17, his occupation is listed as bank clerk. He died on 28 February 1992, in Elora, Wellington, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 93, and was buried in Elora Cemetery, Elora, Wellington, Ontario, Canada.
Thu, Feb 27, 1992 ·Page 15.
Cosford “Cooney” Wood #1 Goalie: Member of the Saskatoon Quakers.
Before I start my story I should introduce you to my mates; the incredible men that made the journey with me. I’m going to describe each mate and share everything you need to know about them.
So today we start with our goalie; wearing jersey #1 – Cosford Reynolds Wood, known as “Cooney” to us. Cooney was our only import; the only guy not born in Saskatchewan. He was born in 1897 in Elora, Ontario. He moved to Saskatchewan in his later career but quickly becoming one of us – a hard-working, down-home boy.
Cooney was multi-faceted; being an accomplished baseball player as well as a talented and successful hockey player. He transferred his great baseball skills into his hockey. Cooney is known for being one of the first goalies to ever use a catching-style mitt – but I can tell you that he was in fact the first.
During our run at the Western Canadian Championships in 1933, Cooney held the opposition to 433 minutes of shut-out hockey; still one of the longest stretches ever. On our European tour Cooney recorded 19 shut-out victories as well.
Cooney also learned his great craft along side of the great George Hainsworth of Kitchener 3 time Vezina trophy winner for the Canadiens and they both credited each other for teaching one other their styles. Cooney was also a part of Foster Hewitt’s first ever hockey radio broadcast , in a game between Kitchener and Toronto in 1923.
Cooney was our guy, our mentor and my close friend and I kept in touch until he passed. That’s Cooney in the middle – wearing his signature black cap.
Cosford Reynold “Cooney” Wood (Woods) – Born October 15, 1897 (1899) in Salem (Elora), Ontario – Died February 28, 1992 in Elora, Ontario was a Canadian ice Hockey goaltender.
Cooney was known for his trademark black cap, with the brim turned up.
– Van Valkenburg Cup Champion 1933 with Saskatoon Quakers..
– Sunrise Trophy Champion 1933 with Saskatoon Quakers.
– Patton Trophy Champion 1933 with Saskatoon Quakers.
The Quakers were chosen to represent Canada at the 1934 World Championship in Milan, Italy.
Before the World Championships, the Quakers made their way through thirteen different countries including Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Italy. Representing Canada, the Saskatoon Quakers made their mark, ending off their European tour with a 33-2-1 record and heavily outscoring their opposition 166-21.
At the 1934 Ice Hockey World Championships, in the semi final against Switzerland the Quakers tied the game forcing overtime. A goal by Cliff Lake gained the Quakers an overtime victory advancing them to the international championship game. In a hard fought championship game against the United States, the Quakers came out on top with another 2-1 victory. Cooney Wood was outstanding in goal in both the semi, and final.
– 1934 Ice Hockey World Champion with Saskatoon Quakers.
The 1933-34 Saskatoon Quakers were inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in the Team category
The 1933-34 Saskatoon Quakers were installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1967.
NOTE
Cooney was also a accomplished baseball player in Saskatoon, and is known for being one of the first goalies to ever use a catching-style mitt………..his teammates have said he was the 1st to do so.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 