The Amateur Hockey Association of the United States was floundering and in debt when Harold (Hal) Trumble took over as its first full-time executive director and turned it into a thriving organization.
He was secretary-treasurer of the organization, now called USA Hockey, when he was appointed to be its leader in 1972. Under his guidance, USA Hockey grew into a professional operation that moved from Bloomington to Colorado Springs. The number of teams expanded from just over 7,000 when he took over to more than 11,540 by the time he left the position in 1985. The number of registered officials increased by more than 5,000, and during his tenure the organization developed a complete program of coaching and officiating clinics and produced hockey publications.
"Without a first-rate first executive director, we would have never reached the levels we're at today," said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey.
Trumble died of dementia March 5 in a care facility in San Clemente, Calif. He was 83.
The Minneapolis West High graduate honed his leadership skills while working at the Farmers and Mechanic Bank in the 1950s, and then as a department head of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. He was the first paid staff member of the St. Louis Park Chamber of Commerce when he was hired in 1959 as executive manager. He brought many events to the city, said his son Skip, of Chaska.
His love of sports led him into officiating. He umpired at the World Softball Championships in the late 1950s and began his hockey officiating career about the same time. He was chosen to officiate several Minnesota State High School Hockey tournaments, and his officiating résumé includes the 1965 World Championships in Finland and the 1968 bronze and gold medal Olympic games in Grenoble, France.
Trumble was the general manager of the 1970, 1971 and 1983 U.S. national men's hockey teams. He also was manager of the 1972 team that captured the silver medal at the Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.
"He was totally dedicated to the growth of hockey," said former Minnesota North Stars player Lou Nanne. "He was not only an excellent hockey person, but a great business person, a joy to work with and fun to be around."
Trumble was inducted into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985 and into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1999.
In addition to his son Skip, Trumble is survived by his wife, Ida Mae, of San Clemente; another son, Brad, of Plymouth; two stepdaughters, Sally Coiner of San Clemente and Cyndi Crabtree of Bakersfield, Calif.; a sister, Patti Wales of Edina, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. George's Episcopal Church, 5224 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park. Visitation will be held one hour before services at the church.
