from Chris Lund of the Toronto Maple Leafs website,

Alex 'Shrimp' McPherson was born in Inverness, Scotland in 1908 and he eventually made his way to North America from Scotland. At 5-foot-6, 154 pounds, he earned the nickname 'Shrimp' as a small man in an era with smaller people altogether.

Despite his stature, Shrimp found himself at home on skates and a sheet of ice. Upon his arrival in Canada, McPherson developed a flair for hockey and ultimately became a professional hockey player. He arrived on the pro circuit in the AHA, playing his rookie season with the Tulsa Oilers in 1929. His arrival in the pro game coincided with the arrival of the forward pass....

Despite being called up, McPherson spent the game watching from the bench for the Leafs. However, another injury provided a window of opportunity. Irvin called McPherson's name, tapped him on the shoulder and he hopped over the boards with vigor. Shrimp McPherson's time was now.

Yet, in seizing his opportunity, Shrimp caused a small problem.

The injured Leaf hadn't been able to return to the bench yet. The Leafs had too many men on the ice and the officials blew the play dead the second his skates hit the ice. Dejected, Shrimp returned to the Leafs bench. He never played on NHL ice ever again. With that turn of events, McPherson is the only NHL player to cause a penalty while never actually being credited with playing in an NHL game -- playoffs or otherwise.

You will not find Shrimp McPherson's name in any NHL record book or player register.

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