NHL Oldtimers edge Flyers Alumni - 1992

by C. Scott Holland

The names evoked memories of NHL glory days, covering an era spanning the 1960s to 1970s, as they stepped onto the ice at the Leamington arena back in February 1992.

To the older people watching, the players represented their heroes from youth, while the youngsters were thrilled to see the names from the ‘golden era’ of the NHL.

But the NHL Legends had to compete with a Leamington Flyers squad, made up of many players from the 1980 championship team and that team itself carried loads of memories for fans.

The pre-game ceremonies were a highlight as Eddie Shack coached the legends and drew tremendous applause, even from his own players.

Leamington Mayor Bruce Crozier gave the NHL players hats, while Leamington Kinsmen president Ed Bodi gave them Kinsmen pennants.

After scoring the Flyers’ first goal vs the NHL Oldtimers in a February 1992 charity game played at the former Leamington arena, Todd Hodgson is about to be ambushed and rewarded with a “shaving cream pie” in the face as he gets set up for a photograph. (from Scott Holland collection)

Leamington District Memorial Hospital chair John Setterington dropped the ceremonial first puck after former Flyer and South Essex star Max Riediger, sang the national anthem.

The NHLers’ smooth, almost flawless style was a challenge for the Flyers Alumni, as Norm Ullman netted a pair while Billy Harris, John Ferguson and Bob Lorimer fired one each against Flyers’ starter Don Campbell.

The Oldtimers horsed around as Jean Guy Talbot took the first penalty and had Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard join him in the sin-bin. Todd Hodgson would miss on a penalty shot attempt but would atone for it later when he beat NHL goalie Gilles Gilbert by slotting a

Mark Johnston feed and received a pie in the face for his efforts.

The Flyers added a few more in the second as Gary Gayer netted two and Bob Clifford and John Jacobs Jr. found the twine while Clare Gillanders took over the netminding duties. But the NHLers went ahead by one on Yvon Lambert’s tally before the second period ended.

In the final frame, Ullman collected his third and fourth goals before some more hijinks ensued.

Overall the entire evening was a huge success, not only for the charities, but for the fans too. The organizers hoped to get the NHLers back for another game in the future. The wait wasn’t too long, as within a few short years, the WE Care For Kids program would bring the NHL Oldtimers in for an annual event.