Melvin “Fritz” Hanson

Class of 1963

Melvin “Fritz” Hanson was lured from North Dakota by Joe Ryan and became one of the premier running backs in Canadian football.

in the 1935 Grey Cup game, the first championship won by a Western team, Fritz Hanson returned punts for more than 300 yards. After the game a Hamilton player said, “sure, Winnipeg won the Grey Cup. but they had a greyhound to fetch it.”

Fritz Hanson, who earned the nickname “Twinkle Toes”, is also honoured at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

Playing Career

Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1935 - 1946
Calgary Stampeders
1947, 1948

Awards/Honours

  • All-Western Running Back
    1937 - 1941
  • Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy
    1938
  • Grey Cup Participation
    1935, 1937 - 1941, 1948
  • Grey Cup Winning Teams
    1935, 1939, 1941, 1948