Clarence (Taffy) Abel

Clarence John "Taffy" Abel (May 28, 1900 – August 1, 1964) was an American professional ice hockey defenseman born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Of Ojibwe heritage, he served as the U.S. flagbearer at the 1924 Winter Olympics, where he scored 15 goals and earned a silver medal — the first Native American to compete in and medal at the Winter Olympics. On November 16, 1926, he became the first U.S.-born Native American to play regularly in the NHL, joining the New York Rangers. He later played for the Chicago Black Hawks, won two Stanley Cup championships, and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.