Hector Joseph "Hurricane" Kilrea (June 11, 1907 – September 8, 1969) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward.
He played for the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Falcons, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League.
Hec Kilrea won Stanley Cup three times, with the Senators in 1927 and Red Wings in 1936 and 1937.
Kilrea was also a champion speed skater, and once won a race at the Montreal Forum in 1928, circuiting the ice in 16 2/5 seconds.
After his retirement from professional hockey he became a U.S.
citizen, and like many other players, he enlisted for duty in World War II, eventually receiving the Distinguished Service Cross (the second highest military decoration of the United States Army), Purple Heart and French Croix de guerre.
He served with Company "K", 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.
His best "war friend" was Allen F.
Wolfe, a young Private in the same unit.
Wolfe was killed in action on August 30th, 1944 in France.
His brothers Ken Kilrea, and Wally Kilrea, and nephew Brian Kilrea.