Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada Commemorative Program

BY PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN CANADA’S CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE.

Bruce Power produces clean, reliable energy, which is essential to achieving Canada’s climate targets, while growing the economy and supporting innovation.

Photo by Louis Jaques/Hockey Hall of Fame

Proud to bring you Scotiabank Hockey Day

Sportsnet is proud to host the 23rd edition of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada from Owen Sound, Ontario.

We would like to thank Scotiabank, the City of Owen Sound and its hockey community, and all the event volunteers for bringing this great event to life.

The Grey Bruce region has a rich hockey history, and it is a privilege to shine a spotlight on Owen Sound as we share its stories on our live national broadcast.

On behalf of all of Sportsnet, thank you for being part of our celebration of Canada's game.

Bart Yabsley, President, Sportsnet

Hockey for all: Building community with Canada's game

There’s something special about hockey, from the backyard pond to the professional stage, from when the first blade glides across the ice in the morning to when the arena lights shut off at the end of the day. And that something special is why hockey is so important to us at Scotiabank.

It’s about building community, it’s about creating new friendships, it’s about teamwork, it’s about sportsmanship. And it is for everyone. That’s why Canada and Canadians rally around the game and that’s why we’re proud to be bringing Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada to Owen Sound this year.

Over the next few days, let’s safely enjoy events and celebrations for everyone, regardless of skill level or background. We’re proud of our partnerships that have helped bring this together, and we’re proud that there has been one constant theme: hockey is for all. Thank you to everyone that has worked to bring Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada to life. Get ready Owen Sound, the celebration is about to begin!

Laura Curtis Ferrera, Chief Marketing Officer, Scotiabank

Welcome to the region!

t is an honour, as Mayor of the City of Owen Sound, to welcome you to our region and our home. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime privilege to host the entire nation for the 2023 Scotiabank Hockey Day

Our community has a rich hockey history and an active sports community. Hockey is in our blood. People show up at all hours to watch the greatest sport ever created. Whether it is pond hockey, road hockey, house league, junior league, or professional, we are there cheering the players and

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sportsnet and Scotiabank for bringing Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada to the City of Owen Sound. I would also like to thank Bruce Power for their support of the event and our community. To have such a prestigious event in our region is extremely exciting!

I would also like to thank our staff and members of our Local Organizing Committee, and the many community volunteers. You have all been our true champions working diligently together to ensure that everyone experiences a great winter family hockey event.

Whether you are a long-time resident, a visitor, or new to this area, we trust you will experience the warmth and hospitality for which we are known.

Together, let us celebrate and enjoy the games and events over the next few days.

Ian Boddy, Mayor, City of Owen Sound

Bruce Power owes much of its success to its surrounding communities and is dedicated to being an active partner in the region.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada is a celebration of Canada’s favourite game. Bruce Power is proud to be part of this event, which brings hockey clinics, NHL Alumni, the Stanley Cup – the greatest trophy in sports – and many other festivities to the City of Owen Sound.

As a leader in Canada’s nuclear industry, Bruce Power provides Ontario families and businesses with reliable, carbon-free electricity and cancer-fighting medical isotopes. Our electricity production is crucial in the fight against climate change and the transition to a robust, Net Zero economy. Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program will extend the life of its nuclear fleet, creating and sustaining over 20,000 highly-skilled jobs annually,

driving the province’s economy, especially in the Clean Energy Frontier region of Grey, Bruce and Huron counties.

We are also a leading producer of medical isotopes, which sterilize medical equipment and treat cancer around the globe. We are proud to collaborate with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) to explore ways of jointly marketing new isotopes in support of the global fight against cancer, while also working together to create new economic opportunities within the SON territory.

It is my pleasure to welcome community members and visitors to the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada celebrations.

JAMES MCGREGOR

REALTOR

Lessons learned playing minor hockey in Owen Sound led to a management career in the OHL and NHL, but I’ve never been happier than where I have landed –coaching my kids in the town where I grew up. My proven real estate strategy has hockey roots: Get in the best shape possible. Have a vision. Then take your best shot – because as one pretty savvy player said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” My network is your home advantage. Give me a call: 226.974.2144

Michael W. Rencheck President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Power

McGREGOR HAHNE GROUP GREY BRUCE SIMCOE jamesmcgregor.evrealestate.com

estate is a lot like hockey.

takes guts, perseverance, passion, and a little bit of luck.

Message from Local Organizing Committee

The co-chairs of the Local Organizing Committee would like to welcome everyone to Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. We truly believe that one and all will enjoy the festival activities that lead up to Saturday, January 21st.

We'd like to thank Scotiabank and Sportsnet for choosing Owen Sound to be the host site for this special day of Canadiana. In true Owen Sound fashion, we promise to deliver four memorable days of fun and special moments.

We would also like to thank all of the convenors, the site coordinators, our city staff and especially all of our volunteers for making this concept a reality, for being there for us from the word "go" and seeing the planning process through to its completion.

The sequence of events will bring exceptional visibility to our city and region. We'd like to both welcome and thank all of the familiar faces and fantastic voices that we see and hear on television and

radio on a daily basis for bringing so much star power to the city and lending all of their support to Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada with such tremendous enthusiasm.

And most of all, our people, the residents and citizens of the city and region who make events like Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada successful in every regard will be in the spotlight, illustrating truly that Owen Sound IS "Where You Want to Live."

Thanks to all for making Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada a made-in-Owen Sound celebration in 2023. We know you'll enjoy all of the events, activities and functions associated with the great sport of hockey and the City.

Welcome to Owen Sound.

Denise Reid, Jim McManaman, Fred Wallace Co-Chairs, Local Organizing Committee, Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada

Julie & Zoe

Residents of Revera

SCHEDULE

Events subject to change. For updates, go to: www.owensound.ca/hockeyday

Time Event Location

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

4:30-6 P.M. HOT STOVE WITH RON MacLEAN & ATTACK GM DALE DeGRAY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18

4:00-4:45 P.M. OFFICIATING CLINIC WITH RON MacLEAN

8:00 P.M. SCOTIABANK HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA: MUSIC OF HOCKEY

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Roxy Theatre WITH RON MacLEAN (Ticketed)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

10:00 A.M SCHOOL VISIT

Ecole East Ridge Community School

11:00 A.M. SCHOOL VISIT Alexandra Community School

2:15-3:00 P.M. MAPLE LEAFS HOCKEY CLINIC

3:15-4:00 P.M. MAPLE LEAFS HOCKEY CLINIC

4:15-5:00 P.M. OWEN SOUND ATTACK HOCKEY CLINIC

6:30 P.M. SCOTIABANK HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA BANQUET (Ticketed)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

7:30-9:30 A.M. SCOTIABANK HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre - Ruther ford Hall

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre NHL HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE BREAKFAST (Ticketed) with Andrew Ference -Rutherford Halll

10:30 A.M. EAST VS. WEST HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CHALLENGE CUP GAME

11:00 A.M. SCHOOL VISIT

12-12:45 P.M. MAPLE LEAFS HOCKEY CLINIC

12:00 PM EAST VS. WEST HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CHALLENGE CUP GAME

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Notre Dame Catholic School

Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre

Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre

Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre 2:00-2:45 P.M. U-SPORT HOCKEY CLINIC

Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre

Boston Pizza, Owen Sound 2:00 P.M. SCHOOL VISIT Georgian Bay Community School, Meaford 7:00 P.M. SCOTIABANK HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA CELEBRITY AND ALUMNI CLASSIC GAME Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre 9:30 P.M.-1 A.M. SCOTIABANK HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA CELEBRITY AND ALUMNI CLASSIC Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre POST-GAME PARTY -Rutherford Hall

Time Event Location

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

Start: Scotiabank End: Harrison Park 10:00 A.M.-6:30 P.M. SCOTIABANK HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA OUTDOOR FESTIVAL Harrison Park

10:00 A.M. STANLEY CUP PARADE

8:00-10:00 A.M. SCOTIABANK GIRLS HOCKEY FEST

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

10:45-11:30 A.M KIDS SHINNY Harrison Park

10:45 A.M. OPENING CEREMONY WITH STANLEY CUP Harrison Park

11:00 A.M. PWHPA TEAM ADIDAS VS. TEAM SCOTIA

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

11:00-5:00 P.M. SCOTIABANK HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA - LIVE BROADCAST WITH RON MacLEAN Harrison Park

11:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M STANLEY CUP

Park

11:45- A.M.-12:30 P.M. MAPLE LEAFS HOCKEY (CLINIC #7) Harrison Park 12:45-1:30 P.M. NHL ALUMNI HOCKEY (CLINIC #8) Harrison Park

1:45-2:30 P.M. MAPLE LEAFS HOCKEY CLINIC (CLINIC #9) Harrison Park

2:30 P.M. OUA WOMEN'S HOCKEY - WATERLOO WARRIORS VS GUELPH GRYPHONS

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

2:45 P.M.-3:30 P.M. PUBLIC SKATING Harrison Park 3:45-4:30 P.M. PUBLIC SKATING Harrison Park

4:45-5:30 P.M. SHINNY Harrison Park 5:45-6:30 P.M. SHINNY Harrison Park

6:30 P.M. OHL HOCKEY: OWEN SOUND ATTACK VS. PETERBOROUGH PETES

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

What a night!

About 3,000 fans crammed into the Owen Sound Arena for the new facility's opening night on Oct. 26, 1938. It had the first artificial ice plant in western Ontario north of Kitchener and was described by legendary broadcaster Foster Hewitt as "one of the outstanding rinks in Ontario"

By Paul White

In the late afternoon of Friday, October 21, 1938 Owen Sound’s main street was mobbed with people lined up outside Parker's Drug Store.

A curious passerby might have thought the store was having the sale of the century. And indeed, it was a sale that the whole community had been waiting for! At 5 p.m. Parkers would start selling tickets to the grand opening of Owen Sound’s new arena. It was not long before all 3,000 tickets had been sold.

Why the excitement about the new arena? Traditionally hockey teams in the area had been forced to start their season once winter had set in and the temperatures reached a consistent level to maintain ice in the arenas. The new arena was outfitted with the first artificial ice plant in western Ontario north of Kitchener. No longer would local teams be forced to travel great distances to practice or play early season games. Consequently, communities from Collingwood to Walkerton were excited about the new Owen Sound Arena.

In order to build the arena, the community had worked tirelessly. A plebiscite was held to achieve the support of the citizens in Owen Sound in order that public funds could be used to build and maintain the arena. The electorate voted almost two to one in favour of the proposal. The provincial government was lobbied not only by representatives from Owen Sound but from many area communities to get the necessary legislation allowing the city to run its own arena.

Opening night was Wednesday, October 26. It was raining but that did not dampen the spirits of those going to the gala. Three thousand dignitaries and fans crammed the building eager to see the state-ofthe-art facility. Interest was so keen that a reporter for the Sun Times witnessed something which had not been seen in this community in a long time, if ever. Tickets for the event were being sold by scalpers! The reporter wrote that he overheard a young boy tell his friends that he had sold a pair of tickets for $1.00!

The festivities went off without a hitch. After the speeches and presentations figure skaters from Toronto and Kitchener entertained the audience. There was a barrel jumping exhibition and races were held. Fred Pitchford won the 1/4 mile race; Cliff Graham outskated the competition in the ½ mile event; John Guidi of Ryerson Public School outdistanced the field in the boys under 14 race and in the under 12 race it was a youngster named Harry Lumley who captured first prize! The evening concluded with a 20-minute exhibition game between the Intermediate Trappers and the Junior Greys.

Two nights later, hockey fans in the area received another treat. The new arena played host to the Toronto Maple Leafs and their number one farm club the Syracuse Stars. The game was probably the first professional hockey game ever seen by many hockey fans in the Grey and Bruce area.

Interest in the game was heightened by the fact that two Owen Sounders were playing. Former Greys Norm Locking and Jack Markle were members of the Syracuse Stars and the Maple Leafs respectively. To honour these local players who had achieved the pinnacle of professional hockey success the city presented each of them with silver trays before the start of the game.

Adding to the local flavour of the game, two more former players from the community, Hap Day of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Teddy Graham of the Chicago Black Hawks, served as referees.

The completion of the new arena had everyone, not only in Owen Sound but throughout the region, excited about the prospects for the sport of hockey in the area.

The game between Syracuse and the Maple Leafs also marked another first for sports in the region. Foster Hewitt broadcast the game live from the press box. The legendary Hewitt was impressed by the new arena, calling it “one of the outstanding rinks in Ontario.”

Owen Sound Arena.

Photo courtesy of Paul White

Harry Lumley: NHL Hall of Famer

71 career shutouts and winner of Stanley Cup and Vezina Trophy

By Paul White

He won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings. Later in his career he captured a Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He recorded 71 career shutouts including 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But Harry Lumley only became a goalie because one of his teammates failed to show up for a hockey game.

Harry “Apple Cheeks” Lumley was born on Nov. 11, 1926 in Owen Sound. His nickname was due to his rosy cheeks. Like most young Canadian boys, Harry grew up playing hockey. One day his Strathcona Public School hockey team was getting ready to play in the Owen Sound School hockey league when it was realized that their goalie was missing. The coach had to find a replacement, and quickly.

As he surveyed the team of 12-year olds his eyes found the gangly youth who towered over the rest of the team. He had found his replacement goalie. “Lumley”, he shouted “Put on the pads, you are playing goal!” Lumley recorded a shutout in his first game. And, the rest was history.

In 1943, before his 17th birthday, Harry signed a professional contract with the Detroit Red Wings. He started his professional career in Indianapolis. It was not long before Jack Adams, the wily general manager and coach of the Red Wings, became aware of the youngster tending the twine for his Indianapolis farm club. In December 1943, barely 17, Harry Lumley made his first start in the National Hockey League.

His opponents were the New York Rangers. After shutting out the Rangers in the first period, Harry recalled thinking that the NHL wasn’t so tough. But the second period was to be a totally different experience for the youngster!

The Rangers peppered the Red Wing rookie with shots from every angle. New York put six pucks behind Lumley before the final buzzer put a merciful end to the youngster's agony.

His second NHL game was not any better. Chicago put seven goals behind him and after the final whistle Harry was told that he was headed to the minors. But before he returned to Indianapolis, Lumley would have a unique experience. Harry’s train to Indianapolis was not due to leave Detroit until after the Red Wings played another game. Their opponent was the Rangers. With Harry sitting in the stands, Detroit was leading the game. But at the end of the second period the Rangers’ goalie was injured. In the 1940s NHL teams only carried one

goalie. If the visiting team’s goalie could not play the home team would often offer a player from the stands to substitute. When New York asked if Detroit had a spare goalie they could use, they offered Lumley’s services.

During the third period, wearing a Rangers’ jersey, Harry stood on his head stopping everything that his Red Wing teammates fired in his direction. Although he shut out Detroit, the Rangers still lost the game. After the game an irate Detroit coach screamed at his players “the best Red Wing player tonight wasn’t even wearing a Red Wings’ sweater!”

The following season, after 20 games in the minors, Lumley became the youngest regular goalie in the history of the NHL, when at age 18, he was named the starting goalie for the rest of the 1944-45 season.

Lumley took the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup finals, only to lose in heart-breaking series with the Maple Leafs. But in the 1949-50 Stanley Cup playoffs, Harry achieved the dream of every hockey player when he led the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup.

Despite his stellar goaltending, including three shutouts in the playoffs, on their way to a Stanley Cup championship, Harry found himself heading to Chicago in a multi-player trade. His move to the worst team in the NHL was not because Harry had played poorly - it was because the goalie behind him with the Red Wings was another future Hall of Fame netminder, who would become one of the greatest goalies in the history of the game, Terry Sawchuk!

His stay in the “Windy City” ended, just prior to the beginning of the 1952-53 season when Lumley was traded to Toronto. After a disappointing first season with the Leafs, Harry had a brilliant season in 1953-54, leading the league in shutouts (13) and winning the Vezina Trophy with the league’s best goals against average (1.86). He was an NHL First All-Star both in 1954 and 1955 with the Leafs.

Despite his great play, Harry was traded to Chicago after the end of the 1955-56 season. However, Lumley was not in any hurry to report to the Hawks. Instead, he spent one and a half seasons with their Buffalo farm club before being traded to the Boston Bruins.

He retired from the NHL at the end of the 1960 season and two decades later he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The writer is author of a book called A Journey Through Owen Sound's Hockey History. The book can be ordered through this link: www.history-articles.com/os-hockey-history.html

Harry Lumley is arguably Owen Sound's most famous hockey player.

Photo: Louis Jaques/Hockey Hall of Fame

RON MacLEAN

Host of Sportsnet's Hockey Night in Canada and Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada responds to 10 questions from local sportscaster Fred Wallace

My first hero was Jacques Plante, an NHL goaltender. I was seven years old, living in Whitehorse, Yukon. He was in Montreal and preparing to come out of retirement to suit up with the St. Louis Blues. We were 3,650 kilometres apart. That was "the mask" between us, but it mattered not. I heard tales of his innovations, including the mask, and that piqued my interest even more than his on-ice brilliance. In the 1960s, the Moon race, the advent of satellites and colour TV , we were children of discovery and Plante fit that fascination and won my heart.

My first encounter was again in Whitehorse where my Dad was posted with the Canadian Air Force. Bobby Hull came to town for a charity engagement. Every kid within a thousand kilometres showed up for an autograph session. Bobby gave me an 8 x 10 glossy photo which he signed. It had a beautiful purple background, and that was consistent with his royal comportment. I was struck by his patience as he made small talk, smiled and signed. He dealt with every fan equally, oblivious to the daunting lineup.

Mario Lemieux, 1987. Paul Henderson changed hockey, changed attitudes because he triumphed in a series matching the greatest opponent. Opponent in sport, opponent in society. He was a bridge leading to respect. He opened minds. Mario was at the end of that Cold War. It’s the greatest hockey I have witnessed. So the winning goal I'd rate number 2. However, honourable mention to Marie-Philip Poulin at last year’s Women’s IIHF Championship. That goal – like Henderson’s – casts a light, clearing a path toward mutual respect. How can we not

league?

It is very tough to single out one. So let me mention that after living in several communities in my first ten years owing to Dad’s military duties, our family settled in Red Deer, Alberta. To be fair to the Oilers and Flames, and a tie you cannot break if you wish to win friends and influence people… I choose Lanny McDonald and Wayne Gretzky. Each has been a chaperon to my career. They are two of kind.

There are certain jobs for which university and post-secondary education are critical. But until education is accessible for all, I cannot champion its merits entirely and many jobs don’t require such training. More and more institutions are coming to realize that their greatest thinkers are not disciples of any one path or a particular academic setting. As Mark Twain said, “I never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

Q: Who was your first hockey hero...and how close were they to where you were living?

Q: Tell me about you first encounter with a bonafide NHL star?

Q: Of all the NHL players and hockey people you've met, who was the most memorable, interesting or impressive?

Q: If the unanimous choice for the greatest goal in Canadian Hockey history is Paul Henderson's goal in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series; what goal would you say ranks #2?

have a Professional Women's unified

Q: How important is university or post-secondary education for a broadcaster? Do you ever lament missing out on that experience?

"For me it’s got to be a simple but brilliant illustration of equity and inclusion. At the Order of Good Cheer outdoor rink at Harrison Park, they created a rule: "Hockey

I was lucky to be raised with an emphasis on compassion, not status. There are really two central ways you can cope with status anxiety. First, don’t sell your soul. Secondly - and this came from officiating – always remember, if someone can have your job, you don’t want the job. That’s the way I looked at it, and it helped.

When you are in your 20's you realize you are short on experience and so you listen. And it’s funny because in the role of a broadcaster, all the while you are listening, you are expected to talk. Well, I’m now in my 60’s and I still feel like I’d rather be listening. Questions, should be the simple solution, but I’d submit you need to know who you are asking, and know their motives. I’m still listening to sort that complexity.

The value of Hockey Day in Canada is the mining of stories. Sport, collaborations through sport and stories are the building blocks of society. Success has roots, and the road is where we expose them. It’s such a joy to see wonderful athletes return to the origins of their passion.

When I started in the business, Wayne Heinrich our Manager at CKRD in Red Deer, said “Ron, it takes 10 hours of preparation to do one hour on the air.” It was the second greatest lesson. (The first being “you speak to one person, not millions”, but that’s a story for another day).

For me it’s got to be a simple but brilliant illustration of equity and inclusion. At the Order of Good Cheer outdoor rink at Harrison Park, they created a rule: "Hockey on odd numbered days, public or figure skating on even.” That is the spirit we have been searching for and it goes back over a century in Owen Sound.

Q: You essentially replaced a broadcasting legend, Dave Hodge, hosting Hockey Night in Canada. How daunting was that challenge and how did you meet it?

Q: At what point did you feel totally comfortable in your role as Hockey Night in Canada host?

Q: How valuable to the sport of hockey, and to the country, has the TV program Hockey Day in Canada become?

Q: How much research and preparation goes into an on-site broadcast like Hockey Day? And how educational is it for you?

Q: If you encountered somebody who asked you about Owen Sound & Owen Sound hockey, what would be the top story you'd relate?

on odd numbered days, public or figure skating on even.”

National championships for Greys

Wild jubilation in the streets in 1924 & 1927 after Memorial Cup wins

By Paul White

In the 1920s sports became a larger part of the Owen Sound Sun Times as sports were becoming more and more a part of life in the community. Through the efforts of groups like the Crescent Club many more athletes were participating in sports and teams were representing the city in many leagues.

The year 1924 marked a new high point for the community in the world of sports, and especially in Owen Sound hockey history, as the junior hockey team, the Greys, defeated all opposition and headed west to play for the Memorial Cup, emblematic of the Canadian Junior Hockey Championships!

The whole city, and the surrounding area, was caught up in the frenzy about a national hockey championship being claimed by a local team. The Greys played Calgary for the Memorial Cup on March 28, 1924. As game time approached fans started gathering outside the office of the Sun Times waiting for news about the game.

The newspaper set up a lantern projector and as the game progressed, telegraphed information about penalties and goals were flashed on the wall of the building across the street. Each goal or penalty brought cheers or groans from the assembled throng in the street. By the end of the game it was estimated that more than five thousand area residents

were in the street outside the Sun Times office.

When the game ended, Owen Sound had its first national hockey championship and pandemonium broke out. Bands played, people danced, and the partying lasted well into the night. Owen Sound had not seen a celebration that compared since the news of the end of World War One!

During this era the front of the Sun Times office was a common meeting place in the community. You never knew when late breaking news might occur, and the front of the newspaper office was the place to hear it first!

In 1927 the street in front of the Sun Times was once more the site of a mass of anxious hockey fans as the local heroes, the Greys, were once again doing battle for the Memorial Cup. A hush would fall over the crowd as the lantern flashed the latest events of the game, then there would be a collective cheer or groan depending upon the news.

At one point, it was announced that the Greys’ goaltender, Benny Grant, had received a penalty. His father was so disheartened by this that he went home, convinced that his son’s penalty had cost the team the game and the championship. However, the Greys killed the penalty and went on to victory! Once again, the streets of Owen Sound were the scene of wild jubilation!

Friendships that begin at the rink

Fred Wallace and Ray McKelvie, who shared a passion for hockey,

were great friends for many years

REMEMBERING RAY: The city of Owen Sound, especially the hockey community in our region and around the province, was deeply saddened by the passing of Ray McKelvie in November of 2022. Through the years when I encountered someone and told them that I lived in Owen Sound, or that I worked in Owen Sound, the most common response was; "Do you know Ray McKelvie?" (For the record; Heather Hiscox was a solid 2nd place finisher behind Ray). Ray McKelvie was the common denominator in Owen Sound hockey circles. From minor hockey through the Greys, through the Plater years, and with the Attack, his connections to and his positive relationships with players, coaches and hockey personnel were deep and seemingly never ending. Ask anyone who ever played here, at any level, if they knew Ray and the answer would be "YES!"..... Ask Ray about any player or person connected to hockey in Owen Sound (and far beyond), and more than likely you'd get a warm recollection and a great story. One of the many remarkable aspects about Ray is that no matter how big (or how small) a hockey game was, he always seemed to be able to squeeze great joy out of the game; whether it was Atom (U11) or the Attack. The article below was crafted by Richard Thomas a year ago when Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada was slated to be in Owen Sound for January of 2022. It's a shame that Ray, who means so much to hockey in this city, will miss Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. And there's no question that hockey in Owen Sound, and in many corners elsewhere, will sorely miss Ray McKelvie.

- Fred Wallace, Bayshore Broadcasting

By Richard Thomas

Aclean sheet of ice waiting for the blade of a skate. The sound of a slapshot, children laughing as they swirl and spin.

The great Canadian love of the rink draws us together as a nation and as people. Old friends meet up, and new friendships form. It all happens at the rink.

In 1984, a young, wide-eyed disc jockey named Fred Wallace arrived in Owen Sound. Working two-night shifts and weekends at CFOS gave the admitted sports nut a lot of time to explore his passion. One of the first people he met was Ray McKelvie, and the two have been fast friends ever since.

“I walked into the Bayshore and I was just standing there and Ray came up to me and he said 'Are you Fred? Fred from the radio station?' And then he asked me 100 questions which is Ray McKelvie’s way of doing things. Even if he knows the answers, he’ll play question and answer. So, I distinctly remember meeting Ray and I think that’s the way for most people, Ray meets you before you meet Ray.”

Little did Fred know, he was speaking to a man whose passion for hockey is boundless. A former player, Ray became involved in minor hockey in 1965. As the years passed, he became the man who knew everything about every level of local hockey. He was the General Manager of the Owen Sound Greys when Fred met him that day at the Bayshore Community Centre.

“Our friendship was mostly hockey oriented to start,” Fred remembers, “because I was a fan of the Greys, and then they became a tier two team and Ray was the General Manager of the Greys. I was hired at ten dollars a game to be the PA Announcer, and the tier 2 hockey was really good and Ray had good teams.”

“And we played for two years and the league folded,” Ray recalled with a laugh.

“We went back to Jr. B. And of course, Fred, as you know, is the number one sportscaster in Ontario, I think he knows more than most sports people and we had many many, many conversations during the hockey season and after.”

Fred became the sports director of CFOS in 1988. He’d found his true calling. Few now remember Fred, the DJ, but everyone knows Fred, the Sports Director.

It wasn’t long after his promotion that the OHL Kingston Raiders announced the team would move to Owen Sound. The city was abuzz with excitement. An OHL franchise!

When the deal fell through, the community disappointment was keen. However, unbeknownst to many (including his pal Fred), Ray’s business acumen had drawn the attention of the Holody family, owners of the Guelph Platers. They were looking to move the team, which had been drawing poor crowds, despite winning the Memorial Cup in 1986. Fred remembers that time well, and not just because it brought OHL hockey to Owen Sound.

“Ray and I went to a junior C game in Hanover shortly after the Kingston Raiders deal fell apart. On the way back, Ray dropped me off and he said ‘do you think we’ll see OHL hockey in Owen Sound? And I said oh no, it’s dead, Kingston’s not coming. Nobody’ll move here. And so, Ray bet me that there would be a team by September. Little did I know that he was on the inside with the Holodys and their plan to move the Platers to Owen Sound. That was a $20 sucker bet that Ray caught me on.”

As a ten percent owner and General Manager of the team, Ray was instrumental in bringing OHL action to the City of Owen Sound.

“The Holodys got a better deal than they knew,” Ray says. “Not only did they get me, but my wife Georgina worked tirelessly to promote the team. In the first year, we sold 900 season’s tickets. The Holodys couldn’t believe it.”

“I think our friendship evolved day by day,” Fred says.

“When he was the General Manager of the Platers, I bet I called him every morning Monday-Friday, to ask what was happening with the team. We would talk primarily about hockey, but every now and then we’d talk about horse racing and other things that were going on.”

Fred Wallace, left, and Ray McKelvie at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

“If it wasn’t me, it’d be my wife Georgina who would be talking to Fred about hockey. He had a great pipeline, and he always wanted to know what was going on. He was good for the team,” Ray added.

The two began meeting for occasional lunches, and Fred says they were never short and they were never dull. Ray has more great hockey stories than anyone he knows. The two soon discovered a shared love of horse racing, and trips to the track in Hanover became routine.

Ray remained with the team through the 1999 transition in ownership from the Platers to the Attack, though not as an owner. Fred continued sportscasting and became the voice of the Owen Sound Attack.

Fred says Ray cast a large shadow over the local hockey scene, and his contributions have been significant.

“What if he didn’t convince Joe Holody to come here? What would the last 35 years have been like for hockey in Owen Sound? So, from that standpoint I think we were very, very lucky to have Ray. I think in business, and in horse racing and in hockey, everybody knows Ray McKelvie and everybody likes him.”

Ray was equally complimentary about Fred and his impact on local sports. “I don’t think there would be anybody in the OHL media group that wouldn’t know and respect Fred. I know he talks to some of the teams on almost a daily basis, or at least quite often. He knows what’s going on in a league. What I like about Fred, he’s very, very positive.”

Fred and Ray’s friendship spanned more than 36 years, and it was always firmly rooted right where it began: at the rink.

Lanny

McDonald

Stanley Cup winner shares memories from his Hall of Fame career

Q: The Toronto Marlies won the 1973 Memorial Cup in Quebec. Your team, the Medicine Hat Tigers, defeated the Marlies in the round robin portion of the tournament but didn't make the Championship Final Game. Tell us about that Memorial Cup.

This was in the old system where it was a three-team round robin! We beat the Marlies 3 to 2. I think the Marlies beat the Quebec Remparts 5 to 1 so we played the Remparts and could lose by 2 but not by 3. We were down 5 to 1 at the end of the first! Shaky refereeing!!! We made a comeback to make it 7 to 4, pulled our goalie but couldn't score so lost by one goal! And to make it worse Quebec lost by 10 nothing in the final.

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Q: The 1973 NHL Entry Draft saw some very prominent names in the game selected in the first round. You went 4th overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Did you ever consider playing in the WHA rather than joining the Leafs?

My dad and I were both Toronto Maple Leafs fans and I think if I would have signed in the World Hockey Association I would've been disowned so I signed with the Maple leafs and absolutely loved it for 6 1/2 years until I was traded to Colorado which was not my choice.

Q: In the mid 1970s I saw a limerick that went; There once was a young man Darryl Who said to his left winger Errol We'll wait until Lanny Knocks Orr on his fanny And then we'll score goals by the barrel

How great was it to play on an emerging Leafs team in that era?

We thought we were ready for prime time. It was so much fun. We lost 2 years in a row to the Canadiens who won the Cup both years and the following year all hell broke loose and Punch Imlach basically traded away the entire team, including me!

Q: Darryl Sittler scored the overtime winner against Czechoslovakia to clinch the 1976 Canada Cup at Montreal. You and Marcel Dionne assisted on the game-winning goal. More than 45 years later, does that moment still give you a thrill?

That Canada Cup was like a coming out party and to be able to play with Sittler and Gainey most of the time and then with Sittler and Dionne in overtime and to assist on the winning goal was a dream come true. That helped launch my career for the next 14 years.

Q: Your full name is Lanny King McDonald. How fitting, how special, how unique is it for you to be a winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy?

My middle name was King and everyone thought it was after King Clancy but my grandfather's name was Kingsley and one older grandson was already named Kingsley so my parents shortened it to King. So it was really fitting to win the King Clancy trophy! Cont'd next page

Welcome to Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada

Lanny McDonald

Q: In the 1978 playoffs, the Leafs upset the New York Islanders winning the 7th and deciding game of the series 2-1 in overtime at Uniondale on a goal by Lanny McDonald. Your nose had been broken, and you had a broken bone in your wrist. Looking back, how improbable was that great moment for you and for Leaf fans?

No one gave us a chance heading into the series against the Islanders but our coach Roger Nielsen believed if we played strong physical hockey against them we had a chance to win and he was absolutely right. And to take that great Islander team to seven games and find a way to win it in overtime was unbelievable. Yes I was beat up but could still play and didn't want to let my teammates down!

Q: For a long stretch in the 1982-83 season you had more goals than Wayne Gretzky had. Wayne finished the year with 71, while you set a Flames franchise record with 66 goals. Did you ever think that you could outlast The Great One for goals scored in that season? Do you think a Calgary Flame will ever score 67 goals in a season?

'82/83 was magical! There were times near the end of the season I thought I could catch him. Even though it didn't happen it was so much fun!

Q: The Calgary Flames eliminated the 2-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the 1986 Smythe Division Final with a 3-2 victory. Tell us about that game, the gamewinning goal and the excitement in Calgary for that victory?

We finally beat the Oilers! To win that 7-game series was great for us but great for the whole city! It was like we won it for all of southern Alberta.

Q: When the Flames won the Stanley Cup in 1989 you scored the go-ahead goal in the clinching game against Montreal. Contrasted to the Canada Cup goal by Darryl Sittler and the overtime goal you scored to eliminate the Islanders, what was your biggest on ice thrill in hockey?

When we won the Cup it was the ultimate. Especially to be the only team to ever win on Montreal Forum ice! That plane ride home after game six and winning the Cup was epic!

Cassie

Campbell-Pascall

Q: You played for the Brampton Canadettes in Minor Hockey. How significant were your early experiences there in terms of laying the groundwork to where you travelled as a player, a broadcaster and a spokesperson later in life?

When I finished playing boys hockey I moved to play with the Brampton Canadettes organization. It just happened to be the biggest girls hockey association in the world at the time. It was fun to play in the Easter tournament every year under that organization, and I have friends that I still have to this day that I met through playing minor hockey in Brampton. Brampton is my hometown, and it is a huge part of my roots. It no question helped me build the characteristic I needed to be successful in hockey and then in my post-hockey career.

I had so many great coaches growing up, but one that maybe was the most influential was Sue Scherer. I had Coach Scherer at the University of Guelph. She helped me to make the National team. She was the first ever Captain of Team Canada in 1990 at the World Championships and she came into my life when I needed guidance and a rejuvenation of the love of hockey. She was no doubt a big part of my success.

To never let anyone tell you can’t play or shouldn’t play as a girl. Hockey is the greatest game on earth and should be played by anyone who wants to play it. Always practice the basic skills and be willing to play any role on your team. Respect yourself and all the people around you who are helping you become not only a better hockey player, but a better leader through the game of hockey.

Cont'd next page

Q: Was there a coach or player in the world of women's hockey who inspired you and motivated you to continually push towards the elite level in sport and the business world?

Q: If you encountered a young player in the IceHawk organization, or anywhere in Girls Hockey in Canada, what would be your primary message to that player be?

"Being the Captain of both the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Gold Medal winning teams was such an honour and a privilege."

Q: An Olympic Gold Medal in Women's Hockey (twice) is a team accomplishment, but what did it mean to you individually being the captain of the 2002 & 2006 teams?

Being the Captain of both the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Gold Medal winning teams was such an honour and a privilege. To captain a team with so many leaders on it was really such a special part of my National team career. We had so many great ambassadors of the game and I was lucky to have that role.

Q: Phil Esposito did everything in hockey; star player, broadcaster, general manager, coach & owner. Your path has been fairly similar. Do all those experiences combined give you a different, more rounded, perspective on the hockey world?

I’ve recently helped Hockey Canada as the Management Consultant for our women’s program and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To help bring back gold to our country for the first time since 2012 was so much fun. I loved getting to meet the younger players and to learn about the program from a different perspective. I think the more experiences and great leaders you surround yourself with the more you will learn. I am proud to have done so many things in hockey and I only hope to do more.

I think being named Top Forward at Esso Nationals in 2000 was pretty special. I had always been a defenseman and the National Program at that time asked me to play forward so I switched to forward on my club team. To make it to the National level and win that award amongst those who had played that positon their entire life is something I am very proud of. It would have been easy for me not to like the switch of positions, but I chose to try and become the best forward I could. I am proud of how I handled a situation that I didn’t necessarily like right away.

Q: In spite of major success in Canadian soccer, basketball and hockey, women's sports continues to struggle for recognition and support in the country. If you could make one aspect unfold immediately, what would be the first major step forward to upgrading the profile of Canadian ladies in team sports?

I would like to say that having a professional women’s hockey league that is truly professional in every aspect of the word would be helpful to building the profile of the female game. My wish is for the NHL to step up and support such a league and I believe it will happen soon. I think it is the only sustainable and long-term solution to keep our game growing while also helping the NHL to introduce and increase their brand to other diverse groups of people.

Q: You'll spend time in the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, the JD McArthur Arena and the Bob Rutherford Hall in Owen Sound during Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. What does it feel like when you drive by or are inside the "Cassie Campbell Community Centre" in Brampton?

The honest truth about the Cassie Campbell Community Centre being named after me is I’m shocked. It was an amazing day and so many people like Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman and many of my teammates showed up for the opening. I have to be honest and say that when I go back to use the gym I still have to pay my $10. Usually by the time I finish working out someone figures out who I am and they try to give me my money back. It’s a lot of fun to see how important that Community Centre is to the community and how well it is used by so many to keep up an active lifestyle.

I was proud to be the first female player inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and just as proud to be part of the Selection Committee for the Hockey Hall of Fame. I am always proud if I win individual honours, but I know that I have received those honours because of the great teammates I had.

I hope there is still something in there!!! I honestly hope they find a solution that can help people who have suffered a concussion. But to be honest I hope I don’t have to donate it for a very long time.

Q: You were the first female hockey player inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. How significant was that for you? And how important was that for Women's Hockey across Canada and around the globe?

Q: You've received a number of awards and accolades through your lifetime in various pursuits. What award is the most meaningful to you?

Q: I understand you've donated your brain to research.....What do you think the doctors and scientists will find? (with a chuckle)

Cassie Campbell-Pascall with Ron MacLean.

Darcy Tucker

Q: You were born in Castor, Alberta and lived in Endiang, Alberta, neither of which would be considered big centres. How do you go from such small communities to playing almost 1,000 games in the National Hockey League?

Let’s put it this way, I am extremely lucky! That being said I credit my family. My parents are very driven so that's where my work habits come from.

Q: The Kamloops Blazers won 3 Memorial Cups in the 1990s. You and 2 others were on all 3 championship teams. How remarkable is that feat? And do you think it's possible for any player to achieve that status in the future?

Extremely difficult to accomplish but great coaching and teammates allowed that success. You never say never but I don't think it will ever happen again.

Q: Canada won the Gold Medal at the 1995 World Junior Hockey Championships. How meaningful was it for you to be on that squad, especially since the tournament was hosted in Red Deer, Alberta?

It was exciting to be on Team Canada. Winning was amazing and to do it in my home province with all my family present was a dream come true.

Q: You were drafted in 1993 by the Montreal Canadiens, after 150 other players had been selected in the Entry Draft before you. What advice would you give to an aspiring Canadian hockey player who isn't listed as a top prospect or gets bypassed by NHL squads in his draft year?

My advice would be to have strong will and a willingness to adapt to any situation - good times and hard times.

Q: The Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League selected Cain Tucker 276th in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League Draft. What advice or guidance did you pass on to your son, Cain?

I'm very proud of Cain and his hockey but I'm more proud of the children we've been able to raise (Cole & Owynn) as well.

Q: In 1996 you won the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the outstanding rookie in the American Hockey League. How valuable to your development was your time with the Fredericton Canadiens?

A great stepping stone to my hockey journey. Loved playing in Fredericton and Rookie of the Year was icing on the cake.

Q: The Tampa Bay Lightning are 3-time Stanley Cup winners and are back-to-back NHL champs. When you played for the Lightning....they were not as successful. What was your experience like in Tampa Bay? How was it valuable in your development as NHL player?

People don't realize Tampa is a great hockey city. I enjoyed my time there and met some amazing people.

Q: You played more than 500 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Is there anything better than being a Toronto Maple Leaf?

There isn't anything like it to be honest. The fans, the history and the city. I feel. I feel very fortunate to have played in Toronto.

Q: Through your work with Scotiabank, Sportsnet, Hometown Hockey & Hockey Day in Canada, what's your favourite aspect during those functions and celebrations?

My favourite part is the people I've met and the people I work with. The Scotiabank team members are more than teammates - they are family.

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Tommy Burlington:

By Paul White

In November 1999, I received a telephone call from former Boston Bruin and Owen Sound Mercury, Pat McReavy. He told me that Tommy Burlington would like me to interview him and that I should call him that night. I called the number and spoke to Mr. Burlington. He suggested that I visit him the next evening.

What was so surprising, and exciting about this information was that Tommy Burlington, the hockey player that many considered to be the best to never skate in the NHL had refused all media interview requests since the 1960s. And now, he was honouring me with the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about his amazing hockey career. What follows is the result of that meeting.

My father and I watched many hockey games together and one thing never changes. Whenever I remarked that a certain player seems to have the ability to become a great player, my dad always said, “Well maybe, but, he’s not as good as Tommy Burlington!”

My father is not the only one who holds such a high opinion of Tommy Burlington’s hockey skills. During the past few years I have travelled to many parts of Ontario and the United States as a freelance hockey historian and reporter. On many occasions, former players, reporters and hockey historians, once they found out that I was from Owen Sound, invariably asked me if I knew Tommy Burlington, or if I had seen him play. When I, in turn asked the same question of them, the response was always the same. “Tommy Burlington was one of the best!”

Tommy Burlington was born Aug. 8, 1920 in the Mount Dennis area of Toronto. He played minor hockey in his home area until 1939 when he came to Owen Sound to play junior hockey with the Greys. The next season, 1940-41, he played for the Owen Sound Wreckers.

In 1941-42 he played for the Atlantic City Seagulls of the Eastern Hockey League. He stayed in Atlantic City for only one season. But what a season! He terrorized opposition goaltenders, setting a league scoring record with 65 goals and 66 assists.

Burlington’s scoring prowess and play making ability had come to the attention of the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League. He joined that club for the 1942-43 season where one of his teammates

was Owen Sound native Norm Locking. The rookie finished fifth in scoring on the Barons that season scoring 12 goals and assisting on 31 others.

In his second season with the Barons Burlington became an AHL star. New coach "Bun" Cook put him on a line with Lou Trudel and Earl Barthelome and the three became a potent scoring threat. Former Barons’ teammate Whitey Prokop, speaking in later years, described Tommy as "the Wayne Gretzky of his day."

In only his second season, the 23-year-old Burlington led his team in scoring with 33 goals and 49 assists as Cleveland finished first in the Western Division for the AHL. Burlington was selected to the AHL All Star team and also set a league record by scoring points in 24 consecutive games.

Burlington’s scoring feats are even more phenomenal when you consider that he only had vision in one eye due to a childhood accident. Tommy’s scoring abilities came to the attention of the Chicago Black Hawks of the NHL. But before he could play in that league a rule was passed blocking players with vision in only one eye from playing in that league. It was Conn Smythe, the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who supposedly proposed this rule. Despite the fact that this rule kept Tommy from fulfilling a dream of playing in the NHL, he holds no malice towards Smythe. He said, “I never held it against him because he was good for hockey and he did a great deal for crippled children.”

The next season, 1944-45, Burlington scored 30 goals and 60 assists and led the Barons to not only another first place finish in their division but also to the Calder Cup Championship.

In the 1945-46 season once again Burlington led the team in scoring. Despite his scoring abilities and his popularity with the Cleveland fans, Tommy was traded at the end of the season to the Providence Reds. The Cleveland media and fans were outraged at this loss of one of the most popular players in the history of that franchise.

After the 1946-47 season, Tommy decided to return to Owen Sound and play hockey for the Mercurys. However, his release from the AHL was blocked. In order to raise the money to buy his release, the Mercurys held a raffle for a car.

The player many consider to be the greatest North American never to play in the NHL. He captured scoring titles in every league that he played in, bringing comparisons to NHL greats

Owen Sound Mercurys Allan Cup winners 1950-51

Tommy Burlington was a member of the Owen Sound Mercurys when they won the Allan Cup in 1951. Back row from left are: Bill Allum, Bob Markle, Jack Ingoldsby, "Pat" McCreavy (Captain), Doug Gillespie & Bun White. Middle row from left: "Buck" Forslund, Andy Grant, Ed LeBeouf (Secretary), Jack Markle (Coach), Jim Keeling (President), "Speed" McCauley (Trainer), John McDonald & Art Hayward. Front row from left: Mike Bukacheski, Fred Smith, Bob Gillson, Chas Blackwell (Mgr.), Les Binkley, Tommy Burlington & Harry Kazarian. In front is mascot Cliff Keeling.

Burlington became an important part of the powerful Mercurys team. In 1950-51 the Mercurys captured the Allan Cup. During the next few years Owen Sound was a dominant force in Senior hockey. The 195354 team may have been the greatest of all the Mercury teams according to sports writers, fans and players of that era but they did not win the Canadian Championship. The reason was simple. With only a few games left in the season Tommy was on a pace to shatter the OHA scoring record. Instead, he broke his leg and missed the rest of the season and the playoffs. The Mercurys were successful in the first rounds of the playoffs but in the Ontario finals against Sudbury the absence of their great scorer was too much and the Mercurys were eliminated from further play.

During his era in Owen Sound Tommy attracted considerable attention. On one occasion, one of the greatest hockey coaches of all time, Punch Imlach, travelled to Owen Sound from Quebec City where he was then coaching Jean Beliveau. Imlach was trying to convince Tommy to leave the Mercurys and play for the Quebec Aces. Punch told Tommy, “If you sign with me, I’ll have the best three centres in amateur hockey, Jean Beliveau, Tommy Burlington and Herb Carnegie!”

Burlington chose to remain in Owen Sound on this occasion and every time someone tried to lure him away. He said “I had enough of travelling and my wife is from Owen Sound. And, I always liked Owen Sound. The fans were great sports fans and they knew their hockey.”

I asked Tommy what he considered to be his greatest hockey skills and

he said: "I think stickhandling and scoring goals, I guess, but (former teammate) Pat McReavy said I never did much backchecking." Burlington said that “today if you can skate and you’re big, you can play in the NHL, they’ll take a chance (on you) anyway."

Tommy may not have been the biggest guy on the ice, but he was strong. Former teammate Red Leckie recalled a game in Windsor when Tommy broke in around the defense, "one of the Windsor forwards jumped on Tommy’s back about half way to the goal, to try and bring him down, but Tom skated on towards the net and put the puck up into the top corner with the Windsor player still on his back. I couldn’t believe his determination to score under such conditions. But that was Tommy Burlington!"

"I had the privilege of playing left wing on Burlington’s line for a while, and repeatedly he would shift the goalie right out of the net, and just push the puck over to me, to put the puck into the empty net. My scoring statistics sure increased when I played with Burlington!"

For years the mystique and magic of Tommy Burlington have dominated discussions among long-time hockey fans and media people about the greatest players of all time. Ted Briggs, former Owen Sound Sun Times sports editor, who saw Burlington play for many seasons had this to say: "Tommy Burlington is the best player that I ever saw play hockey"!

NOTE: Tommy Burlington passed away Jan. 17, 2000 after a long battle with "Lou Gehrig's Disease."

Glenn Makcrow Owner

"...Tom skated on towards the net and put the puck up into the top corner with the Windsor player still on his back."

From Platers/Attack to NHL

Impressive list of graduates from the Ontario Hockey League team

Owen Sound Platers

alumni who played in the NHL

Sean Whyte

Todd Hlushko

Jeff Christian

Kirk Maltby

Andrew Brunette

Scott Walker

Jamie Storr

Jason MacDonald

Wayne Primeau

Kevin Weekes

Brent Johnson

Adam Mair

Ryan Christie

Dan Snyder

Sean Avery

Curtis Sanford

Joel Ward*

Chris Minard*

Greg Jacina*

*Ward, Minard & Jacina also played for the Attack

Nick Suzuki

Centre: Montreal Canadiens

Jordan Binnington

Goalie: St. Louis Blues

Owen Sound Attack Alumni

Brad Richardson

Brian McGrattan

Mark Giordano

Dan LaCosta

Bobby Ryan

Mike Angelidis

Bob Sanguinetti

Stefan Ruzicka

Paul Bissonnette

Andre Deveaux

Daniel Catenacci

Josh Bailey

Andrej Sekera

Theo Peckham

Trevor Lewis

Phil Oreskovic

Wayne Simmonds

Lane MacDermid

Joey Hishon

Mike Halmo

Garrett Wilson

Jordan Binnington

Jesse Blacker Andrew Shaw

Gemel Smith

Kurtis Gabriel

Played for Attack from 2016-2018, drafted 13th overall in 2017 by Vegas Golden Knights. Traded to Montreal Sept. 10, 2018.

Played for Attack from 2009-2013, winning OHL title in 2011. Drafted 88th by St. Louis in 2011, won Stanley Cup with Blues in 2019.

Jake Middleton

Kurtis MacDermid

Chris Bigras

Joseph Blandisi Cody Ceci Jake Dotchin Nick Suzuki Michael McNiven Maksim Sushko

RECREATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

many years. The Owen Sound Men’s Recreational Hockey League was established over 25 years ago to create a safe, fun and organized way to continue to play the sport that we love so much. We currently have 200 players on 18 teams, spread out over three separate divisions with di erent levels of competitiveness.

What makes the league unique is the fact that participants enter as individuals, not as pre-assembled teams. To achieve parity, players are assigned to a team, with the advantage that each year you are guaranteed to be playing with new players that you may have never played with before. The draft style system has been a huge success, and has also allowed many new friendships to form with people you otherwise may have never met. The season concludes with a year-end playo tournament and banquet, with prizes, awards and trophies, but most importantly a nal chance to share some laughs with our friends and bond over the sport we all love, hockey.

What a line-up! Here are some Owen Sound natives who made their mark in pro ranks

Les Binkley

Goalie: Pittsburgh Penguins Ottawa Nationals/Toronto Toros (WHA)

Pat McCreavy

Centre: Boston/Detroit

Butch Keeling

Left wing: New York/Toronto

Les Binkley spent his early career in the minor leagues and did not play in the NHL until his thirties. He won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the American Hockey League's top rookie in 1962, and was awarded the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award four years later for allowing the fewest goals in the league. Binkley was the starting goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the team's inaugural season in the NHL. During the 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs, Binkley won six games - the first postseason victories for the Penguin franchise. After five seasons with the Penguins, he played in the WHA with the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros. Binkley played in 196 NHL regular season games and retired with a career GAA of 3.12. He won two Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992 as a scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pat McCreavy played 55 games with Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings between 1938 and 1942. He won the Stanley Cup in 1941 with Bruins. In 1939, he played 6 regular season games, never appearing in the playoffs, but Boston still engraved his name on the Stanley Cup. As a member of the Sudbury Wolves junior team he played for Canada at the 1938 World Championships, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist in 7 games and winning the gold medal. He was also the captain of the Owen Sound Mercurys when they won the Allan Cup in 1951.

Melville Sydney "Butch" Keeling (Aug. 10, 1905 – Nov. 12, 1984) played 12 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers. He won the Stanley Cup in 1933 with the Rangers. He played in 526 regular season games, scoring 157 goals and 220 points. He added five goals and 11 points in 26 playoff contests. He was also a key member of the Owen Sound Greys when they won the Memorial Cup in 1924.

Owen Sound Night at Maple Leaf Gardens

In 1948, the Toronto Maple Leafs had a special Owen Sound hockey night in a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Leafs. Honoured were Detroit goalie Harry Lumley, Leafs coach Hap Day and Butch Keeling, the former Owen Sound Greys and New York Rangers star, who was then an NHL referee. A train had been chartered and it was speculated that at least 500 people from Owen Sound boarded the train to Toronto and attended the hockey game.

Hap Day

Defence: Toronto/New York

Teddy Graham

Defence: Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, New York, St. Louis, Boston

Benny Grant

Goalie: Toronto Maple Leafs

Clarence Henry "Happy" Day (June 14, 1901 – February 17, 1990), later known as Hap Day, played 14 seasons for Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Americans. Day enjoyed a 33-year career as a player, referee, coach and assistant general manager, 28 of which were spent in various capacities with the Maple Leafs. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961.

His name appears on the Stanley Cup 7 times - 1932 (as Captain), 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949 (as coach) and 1951 (as assistant manager); all with the Maple Leafs.

William Edward Dixon "Teddy" Graham (June 30, 1904 – Jan. 11, 1979). He played 10 seasons in the NHL for the Chicago Black Hawks, Montreal Maroons, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Eagles, Boston Bruins and New York Americans between 1927 and 1937. Prior to turning professional Graham played for the Owen Sound Greys, winning the 1924 Memorial Cup as Canadian junior champions.

In an era where teams used only one goaltender Grant found himself in a unique position. His rights were owned by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they could not use him on their top team. Instead of trading him, Leaf owner Conn Smythe preferred to keep him rather than have a rival team reap the benefit of his abilities.

Grant played some games with Toronto. In 1930-31 he recorded two shutouts in seven games with the Leafs. Toronto loaned him to many different teams during his career.

His feats in goal led to many all-star awards and in 1931-32 he was named the MVP for the Syracuse Stars. During the Second World War he came out of retirement to play for the Leafs.

Remembering Bill Murdoch: Maverick MPP, passionate hockey fan

By Fred Wallace

Bill Murdoch was a man of many passions and many pursuits. Over the course of 77 years, he was a husband to Sue, a father for his daughters Karen and Angola, a grandpa to Luella. A farmer, an electrical draftsman, a prominent politician, a tireless music promoter, a Legion member, an outdoor sportsman, a man of charity, a popular radio host, a hockey jersey collector and a devoted fan of the Owen Sound Attack and the Montreal Canadiens.....sometimes all at the same time.

From the family farm east of Bognor, Ontario, where the Bognor Jam was a must-see concert event in the 1980s, Bill became well known in local political circles; first as a Councillor and Reeve in Sydenham Township and later as the Warden of Grey County.

Moving on to the provincial level, Bill was the Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2011, representing the constituents of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound at all times..... even if it meant bucking the party line.

To say his provincial political career was eventful would be a massive understatement. At one point PC leader John Tory stated, "When you look up 'maverick' in the dictionary you find his picture there....in colour..."

And while politics was a life-long passion for Bill, he made time and found time for many other interests, pursuits and activities.

From the Bognor Jam to the Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame, he showcased, promoted and supported local musicians in every corner of the region

He also supported countless charitable organizations, among which the Georgian Riding Association for Challenged Equestrians (GRACE) and Big Brothers were near and dear to his heart. For decades, the annual Big Brothers bowling fundraiser has been highlighted by "The Bill Murdoch Challenge."

Following his retirement from full-time politics, Bill Murdoch became an Open Line host on 560 CFOS. Bill had the remarkable ability to simply turn on the mic, say "Good Morning" and then field an hourlong stream of callers, all of whom wanted "To Talk With Murdoch."

On his final 2-hour Open Line Tribute Show, his final words were, "Go Attack Go."

Through the years a perpetual topic of conversation (on and off air) was his spectacular collection of signed NHL jerseys. The biggest stars in the history of the game and some of the most obscure names to ever play in the NHL were all part of his collection. And every jersey came with a fascinating tale of how the jersey was acquired and how the autograph was procured.

Fiercely proud and loyal to local sports, Bill was a huge fan of the Owen

Sound Platers and Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. He kept meticulous track of all the Owen Sound players and has a special collection of jerseys for Plater and Attack players who made it to the National Hockey League.

How big was Bill Murdoch's hockey jersey collection? There is no actual tally, although Bill frequently listed the count at 800. The suspicion is that the 800 level was bypassed many years ago.

In July of 2022, Bill Murdoch, dealing with cancer, was admitted to Chapman House in Owen Sound. While in the hospice, he was with family and visited daily by a long list of friends and connections. And not only was he surrounded by the those closest to him, Bill also had a shrine of Montreal Canadiens jerseys watching over the room. On the walls were the colorful signed jerseys of the Richard Brothers, Jean Beliveau, "Boom-Boom" Geoffrion and "The Flower," Guy Lafleur.

A battler to the end, Bill Murdoch passed away in August of 2022. What remains is the memory and legacy of a larger-than-life personality whose name is every bit as prominent in our region as the autographs on his amazing collection of hockey jerseys.

Bill Murdoch, left, with local sportscaster Fred Wallace and ex-NHLer Frank Mahovlich.

He had at least 800 signed NHL jerseys in his spectacular collection

Serving Owen Sound since 1987

Autographs