18 - Southpoint Sun
Senior Hockey League created over 40 years ago by C. Scott Holland In the summer of 1978, a hockey league was created for players who were no longer eligible to play in minor systems or competitive Junior leagues. At the time, director and one of the organizers, Harold Puyda, stated, “It is designed to offer recreational hockey for players who are unable to participate in other competitive leagues.” The league began with six teams with local sponsorship, 15 players on each team including a goaltender, and a cost of $25 to play. It had been hoped to attract more than 90 players so there would be spares in case of serious injuries. Those replacement players were soon needed as work transfers and shift work sidelined some members.
butt-ending. As well, anyone receiving three minor penalty infractions is handed a game misconduct. In the 40-plus years of its existence, the player with the most years played is Bill Baird. Bill laced his skates up for 35 seasons and even got to play a few with his son Matt. Mark Matheson is not far behind and probably would hold the record if he had not been out of the area for several years. The major change besides the venue and the cost, is the fact there are no longer any actual coaches, although at times injured players take over the bench and door duties. Tribute definitely goes to longtime former player and coach John Hammond, who is the winningest playoff coach in the league’s history and except for nights when fire call duty summoned him away, he handled the coaching with a flourish. Other legends in the early days included Murray Setterington, and Willie ‘The Fog’ Pimiskern. As it was in the beginning, there are still six teams but with six different sponsorships. The original Leamington areKevin Gale was a player and president of the na is long gone but the Leamington Senior Men’s league has played mainly Hockey League for over 15 on the Highbury Canseasons. co (Olympic-sized) rink since 2000 and has added a championship game, plus a website and playoff trophy. While play for the 2020/21 season is undecided as of yet, anyone wishing to play or get on the waiting list can contact Andy Anthony at: aanthony@peleelighthouse.ca. Anyone wishing to check out its website can do so at: www. hometeamsonline.com
Murray Setterington was its first president while Bud Hillman, Brian Plumb, Kent Williams, Dave Pilmer, Brian Brown and Harold Puyda comprised its first board of directors. In its last 20 years, the league’s stability has centered around its solid leadership with people like Kevin Gale, Pat Sonoski and Andy Anthony ensuring its membership and quality remain high, while sticking to many of the original rules set down by its founders. Among its original rules, many of which have remained, been amended or added to since the founding, are the primary ones of no body checking, no slapshots and indefinite suspensions for major infractions such as fighting, spearing or
Mark Matheson shows his commemorative puckfor when he obtained his 1000th career point.
Letter to Editor
Southpoint Alumni Classic attracts 136 golfers Dear Editor: The Southpoint Alumni Group held their 9th annual golf tournament at Erie Shores Golf and Country Club Wednesday, July 22. Great weather greeted the most-ever turn out of 136 golfers for the scramble format. We were able to gain a major tournament sponsor this year with Universal Fabricating coming on board. Thank you for your support. This year with the COVID virus, we had to tee off in groups of 4 and used tee times instead of a shotgun start. The course was in perfect shape. The winning team of Ryan Harder, Nick Warkentin, Joe Moavro, and Pat Michaud shot a score of 54 which was 17 under par. A close second was Ward Hutchins, Brian Humpherys, Tim Tiessen, and Ken Piper at -16. The low mixed group was Neil Sawatzky, Lisa Sawatzky, Wayne Pare, and Debbie Pare at -6. The low ladies group was Christine Hutchins, Melissa Schaffhauser, Nicole Ferreira, and Kalee Wright at +8. There were 4 skins paid out for an eagle on #15, eagle on #12, eagle on #10, and an eagle on #6 — each worth $170. If there is a hockey season this year, the Alumni Group will use the proceeds from this event to help first year hockey players any age in the Southpoint Minor Hockey system to offset the cost of their registration. Last year we helped 50 kids with a total of $10,000. Also, again this year, we will be supporting the first year referees to help offset their cost of starting up. We will also be helping the system with clinics for the house league this coming season. Thank you to all of the hole sponsors for your continued support. Special thanks to Jose’s Bar and Grill and Rays Ribhouse, who sponsored our tee gifts with gift certificates. Thanks to Ryan and his staff for organizing everything. Thanks to Lianne at the shack. Special thanks to the volunteers who watched our hole-in-one holes, as it was a long day for them, and the golfers who made this a very successful day. See you all again in July next year. Ward Hutchins
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Here, Brian Ford (left) greets Derek Pugh on opening night as the two LSMHL vets get ready for action.
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