NHL Oldtimers event drew 1400 fans in 1992

By C. Scott Holland

The names evoke memories of NHL glory days covering an era spanning the 1960s and 1970s as they stepped onto the ice at the Leamington Arena back in 1992.

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

But the NHL legends had to compete with the Leamington Flyers championship team from 1980 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 District Memorial Hospital Chair John Setterington dropped the ceremonial first puck after ex-Flyer and former South Essex star Max Riediger sang the national anthem.

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

The NHLers 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 goalie Gilles Gilbert on a feed from Mark Johnston. Hodgson 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 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.