Douglas “Dugger” McNeil was proficient in a variety of sports, notably baseball, football, and water sports, but it was hockey where he excelled most of all. He went on to become one of Canada’s finest amateur defencemen. McNeil was a pivotal member of the outstanding Saint Mary’s junior team that seriously challenged for the Memorial Cup over a four-year period in the 1940’s.

McNeil joined the Montreal Canadiens organization where he played for several years with the Montreal Royals of the Quebec Senior Hockey League, one of the top North American circuits and a stomping ground for future NHL players. He came home to Halifax in 1952 to play with the Halifax Atlantics and successfully led them to the Alexander Cup.

After retiring as a player he coached the Halifax Blazers of the Metro-Valley Junior Hockey League. Douglas “Dugger” McNeil was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1988.