Early in his career, Whitcroft made a name for himself in hockey circles with his outstanding amateur play with the Peterborough Colts. In 1907 the Stanley Cup champion Kenora Thistles signed him to a $700 contract. Whitcroft played well, but was unable to help the Thistles retain their Stanley Cup stewardship, losing to the Montreal Wanderers in a two game, total points series by the score of 12–8. Frederick Whitcroft died in British Columbia in August 1931. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.