Mortson Giving Macon Fans Money’s Worth, article (The Hockey News, 1974-02-22).htm
Dublin Core
Title
Mortson Giving Macon Fans Money’s Worth, article (The Hockey News, 1974-02-22).htm
Description
MACON—
Cleland Lindsay (Keke) Mortson came into the Southern Hockey League with a reputation as being a colorful athlete and the 39-year-old skater certainly hasn’t let anyone down.
Critics label him a “hot dog” and a “show-off” and several unprintable things. But neutral observers agree he is simply an exciting player to watch, one with a flair for entertaining the fans, giving the fans a little extra.
And it should not be overlooked that even at 39 years old — and with the added responsibilities of being the coach and general manager of the Macon Whoopees as well as a player — he is still a talented athlete.
Athletes who are both talented and colorful are rare, and ol’ 99 — that’s Keke’s number — is one of them.
A veteran of 22 years of professional hockey, Mortson is worth the price of admission, according to most observers arounckthe SHL.
I’ve never put on a show to hurt my own club,” says Mortson. “Basicially, everything I do is spontaneous. People will go home from the game and not remember anybody on my club unless it’s me. Maybe I’ve given them something extra, something to bring them back.
“There’s nothing worse than losing unless it’s losing and not having any fun. 1 still think hockey is fun, even when you lose. Of course. I’d rather not be noticed and get a win. But still, you can’t take the fun out of the game.”
Some examples of Keke’s fun: When fans in Charlotte started calling him a dirty old man, Mortson waited between periods one night so he’d be the last to leave the ice; he then put his stick under his arm and limped off the ice as if he were using a crutch. He often pounds his chest, sometimes a la Tarazen and sometimes as if he’s so old he’s lost his breath — which isn’t likely since he’s one of the best conditioned athletes in any sport. Also, he likes to skate up to the opposition’s policeman during a stoppage in play and nudge him in the ribs — and then skate away as fast as possible.
“The fans like those things.” he says, “so why not do them?”
When it’s time to play, Mortson may be the best center in the league. After a slow start, he has moved to fifth place in league scoring with 70 points in 58 games. He’s second in assists with 48 and he’s respected as a clutch performer.
SOUTHERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
A man of extreme self-confidence, he isn’t moaning about his first coaching assignment, although the Whoopeesare in fourth place, struggling to stay ahead to Winston-Salem and earn a playoff spot in the five-team league. The Whoopees have undergone numerous player changes because of call-ups by their World Hockey Association parent clubs. Houston and Cleveland. Also, financial problems made the club’s future doubtful during mid-season. It isn’t a coincidence that the club soured on the ice at the same time.
Such adversity doesn’t seem to bother ol’ 99.
“We’ll be all right,” he says in his high-pitched voice. “Ol’ Keke has everything under control.”
1969-11-28
The other was Cleland ‘Keke’ Mortson, the fiery and controversial center of the Baltimore Clippers, who was sold outright to Vancouver Canucks of the WHL. Mortson, who is 35, has been a pro since 1953. He has spent seven of his last eight years in the AHL with Hershey and Baltimore. He was a 20-goal scorer last season with the Clippers but this season, like Horvath, fell victim to the club’s newly-introduced development youth program which has been instilled in practically all AHL clubs.
Mar 3, 1972/vol. 25, issue 22
‘Old Pro’ Mortson Showing Young Swords How it’s Done
CINCINNATI—
Keke Mortson has been around hockey for a long time—and he’s still going strong.
He’s the kind of a guy you really need on a club, to help keep things loose when the tension starts to grow.
And that’s been the role he has played this year as captain of the fledgling Cincinnati Swords, contenders for the title in the West ern Division of the American Hockey League.
But Keke, who hates to admit it but hesitatingly will tell you that his first name is Cleland, is more than just a happy-go-lucky puck chaser.
As a matter of fact, teaming up with players almost two decades his junior, he has been a consistent point-maker all year and headed the scoring parade for the Swords with 54 points in the first 54 games.
Numbered among his impressive total are 14 goals and 40 assists, and he has tallied three game-winning goals and a like number of power play goals. He’s also one of the most durable members of the Cincinnati squad, as he, along with Doug Rombough and Jim Nichols, is the only skater to have appeared in every contest his season.
Mortson is high on his two linematers, wingers Butch Dead-marsh and Rick Dudley.
“They’re both young,” he pointed out, “and a look for them to go a long way in professional hockey. Remember, Butch only scored 11 goals last season and he’s developed rapidly to the point that he already has lit the red light 24 times for us this year.
“And Dudley, while he hasn’t been scoring so frequently, has all the tools to be a good one, too. He gives out 100 per cent all the time and is a fine team player. He’s tough, too (as Dudley’s 253 minutes in penalties attest) and he looks like a cinch to improve real fast.”
Keke doesn’t make any bones about his age. “I’ll be 38 in a month,” he said. “And I consider myself lucky to be playing. I love this game of hockey, which has been real good to me, and I would say that right about now I’m halfway home to heaven. After all, you might say that I really haven’t had to work, because I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Cleland Lindsay (Keke) Mortson came into the Southern Hockey League with a reputation as being a colorful athlete and the 39-year-old skater certainly hasn’t let anyone down.
Critics label him a “hot dog” and a “show-off” and several unprintable things. But neutral observers agree he is simply an exciting player to watch, one with a flair for entertaining the fans, giving the fans a little extra.
And it should not be overlooked that even at 39 years old — and with the added responsibilities of being the coach and general manager of the Macon Whoopees as well as a player — he is still a talented athlete.
Athletes who are both talented and colorful are rare, and ol’ 99 — that’s Keke’s number — is one of them.
A veteran of 22 years of professional hockey, Mortson is worth the price of admission, according to most observers arounckthe SHL.
I’ve never put on a show to hurt my own club,” says Mortson. “Basicially, everything I do is spontaneous. People will go home from the game and not remember anybody on my club unless it’s me. Maybe I’ve given them something extra, something to bring them back.
“There’s nothing worse than losing unless it’s losing and not having any fun. 1 still think hockey is fun, even when you lose. Of course. I’d rather not be noticed and get a win. But still, you can’t take the fun out of the game.”
Some examples of Keke’s fun: When fans in Charlotte started calling him a dirty old man, Mortson waited between periods one night so he’d be the last to leave the ice; he then put his stick under his arm and limped off the ice as if he were using a crutch. He often pounds his chest, sometimes a la Tarazen and sometimes as if he’s so old he’s lost his breath — which isn’t likely since he’s one of the best conditioned athletes in any sport. Also, he likes to skate up to the opposition’s policeman during a stoppage in play and nudge him in the ribs — and then skate away as fast as possible.
“The fans like those things.” he says, “so why not do them?”
When it’s time to play, Mortson may be the best center in the league. After a slow start, he has moved to fifth place in league scoring with 70 points in 58 games. He’s second in assists with 48 and he’s respected as a clutch performer.
SOUTHERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
A man of extreme self-confidence, he isn’t moaning about his first coaching assignment, although the Whoopeesare in fourth place, struggling to stay ahead to Winston-Salem and earn a playoff spot in the five-team league. The Whoopees have undergone numerous player changes because of call-ups by their World Hockey Association parent clubs. Houston and Cleveland. Also, financial problems made the club’s future doubtful during mid-season. It isn’t a coincidence that the club soured on the ice at the same time.
Such adversity doesn’t seem to bother ol’ 99.
“We’ll be all right,” he says in his high-pitched voice. “Ol’ Keke has everything under control.”
1969-11-28
The other was Cleland ‘Keke’ Mortson, the fiery and controversial center of the Baltimore Clippers, who was sold outright to Vancouver Canucks of the WHL. Mortson, who is 35, has been a pro since 1953. He has spent seven of his last eight years in the AHL with Hershey and Baltimore. He was a 20-goal scorer last season with the Clippers but this season, like Horvath, fell victim to the club’s newly-introduced development youth program which has been instilled in practically all AHL clubs.
Mar 3, 1972/vol. 25, issue 22
‘Old Pro’ Mortson Showing Young Swords How it’s Done
CINCINNATI—
Keke Mortson has been around hockey for a long time—and he’s still going strong.
He’s the kind of a guy you really need on a club, to help keep things loose when the tension starts to grow.
And that’s been the role he has played this year as captain of the fledgling Cincinnati Swords, contenders for the title in the West ern Division of the American Hockey League.
But Keke, who hates to admit it but hesitatingly will tell you that his first name is Cleland, is more than just a happy-go-lucky puck chaser.
As a matter of fact, teaming up with players almost two decades his junior, he has been a consistent point-maker all year and headed the scoring parade for the Swords with 54 points in the first 54 games.
Numbered among his impressive total are 14 goals and 40 assists, and he has tallied three game-winning goals and a like number of power play goals. He’s also one of the most durable members of the Cincinnati squad, as he, along with Doug Rombough and Jim Nichols, is the only skater to have appeared in every contest his season.
Mortson is high on his two linematers, wingers Butch Dead-marsh and Rick Dudley.
“They’re both young,” he pointed out, “and a look for them to go a long way in professional hockey. Remember, Butch only scored 11 goals last season and he’s developed rapidly to the point that he already has lit the red light 24 times for us this year.
“And Dudley, while he hasn’t been scoring so frequently, has all the tools to be a good one, too. He gives out 100 per cent all the time and is a fine team player. He’s tough, too (as Dudley’s 253 minutes in penalties attest) and he looks like a cinch to improve real fast.”
Keke doesn’t make any bones about his age. “I’ll be 38 in a month,” he said. “And I consider myself lucky to be playing. I love this game of hockey, which has been real good to me, and I would say that right about now I’m halfway home to heaven. After all, you might say that I really haven’t had to work, because I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Date
1974-02-22
Collection
Citation
“Mortson Giving Macon Fans Money’s Worth, article (The Hockey News, 1974-02-22).htm,” North Tonawanda History, accessed November 30, 2025, https://nthistory.com/items/show/4686.