The Jasper Local January 15 2016 by The Jasper Local

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Friday, january 15, 2016 // ISSUE 65

Campaign claims we're The Winterest park as The Winterest— not a word you’ll find in the dictionary, but an evocative term nonetheless. “It gets people’s attention,” he said. “It’s a play on words to get people Kyle Harms, Tourism excited and thinking difJasper’s director of ferently about winter.” marketing and commuJasperites who love the nications, said the new snow might forget that to campaign not only ties some, winter means cold— in nicely with Jasper’s and not in the cute dog’s main brand—Venture nose kind of way. Harms Beyond—but tells a story said The Winterest puts during Jasper in Januin people’s minds skiing ary that shows this is powder, not scraping the place to experience windshields. winter. “Even when we don’t have “The story we want new snow Marmot Basin is to tell with Jasper in still great for not waiting in January is that Jasper long lift lines and amazing is really good at winter,” groomed trails,” he said. Harms said. In that spirit of positivity, As such, members of check out The Jasper LoTourism Jasper’s diverse cal’s top five picks for this group of shareholders year’s Jasper in January are promoting the com- festivities... munity and surrounding (cont. on page B1). Tourism Jasper’s latest marketing campaign puts Jasper in a position to “own winter,” according to local experts.

RYAN TITCHENER DRYTOOLING HIS WAY UP IN THE WAD VALLEY, MALIGNE LAKE ROAD AREA. // JEFF LEWIS

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editorial //

page A2 // the jasper local // issue 65 // friday, january 15, 2016

Local Vocal Like cicadas to a lighthouse, whenever the media talks about Syrian refugees, the trolls come out in swarms. In the recent past, the worst internet troll behaviour— namely incendiary hate-speech purported as fact, flung from behind the curtain of an anonymous cyber-handle—was limited to the comments at the bottom of online CBC articles. Sure you could always plumb the depths of humanity’s dimness by scrolling through the comments on Vice News, but you’d have to be one sick, bored puppy to spend much time there. These days, however, online asshats aren’t just making themselves known as denizens of the province or subscribers to our regional news providers. Lately, they’ve been showing up in my Facebook feed. How repugnant. Exhibit A has been the social media spaces which have promoted local efforts to raise money for Syrian refugees. Summing up the “arguments” made by these fear-swishing, logic-curdling xenophobes is difficult. Suffice to say they are questioning, at the very least, as to why empathy should be extended toward human beings fleeing besiegement, bombings and general bloodshed. What one can also take from these pronouncements is that even if one’s heart must hemorrhage to the point where an unselfish thought is to be entertained, then those ideas should not materialize in the raising of money, supplying of living spaces or employing of resources which could otherwise be used by someone who already lives “here.” It’s disappointing, to say the least, that these comments are coming from within the community and communities which surround us. If anything, it’s sad because it shows a lack of understanding— not necessarily of the economics of the issues at hand (although yes, those too)—but of the basic joy one experiences from doing something kind for someone else. More disturbing than sad is the concern about “terrorists” slipping through Canada’s fastidious screening processes. This idea is so trumped-up (pun intended) that it makes me wonder how these panic peddlers even leave their house for groceries. It’s as though they think refugees (who are fleeing their homeland so they don’t die, people!) are like grains of sand passing through a metal grate. Not so much! As irksome as any of these trolls’ theories, is the misplaced idea that new arrivals to Canada are going to burden our infrastructure, ask for handouts or otherwise cost people money. We in Jasper have a pretty good idea how hard new Canadians work to establish themselves here. Take a look around, folks. I know you feel safe in your hate bunker, Cletus, but trust me, logging off would be good for you. In fact, it’d be good for all of us. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Suds and duds

The showers in the Jasper Arena are terrifying. Not because they’re not clean (as a whistle, Karen Kovich!), and not because of who I typically share them with (looking good, Geoff Fraser!), but because at any moment, the relatively hot stream of water coming from the tap can turn icy cold. The last time I was in there it was like that scene in Psycho: the shocking stabs between my shoulder blades had me screaming like a murder victim. It’s no fun to get cold water chucked on you when you’re just trying to stay clean; which is why I felt a bit guilty for dousing the warm fuzzies of the December Project last issue. I teased participants for their fitness selfies, which—to help motivate others to get moving—was kind of the point of the

whole thing. I mentioned my regrets to jumpin’ Joe Urie, but he brushed it off, nice guy that he is. I thought if I printed some kind of hate mail from him I’d feel I’d atoned, but alas he didn’t want to go there. What I had tried (and failed) to get across was my disdain for the doubleedged sword of social media. The December Project is supposed to help folks get up and go, yet its main medium is passivity-producing. I know lots of us struggle with too much screen time; it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole when you should really be coming up for air. For my January Project, I resolve to try not to rain on any more parades. That should help my box of soap stay dry. -BC

The Jasper Local //

Jasper’s independent alternative newspaper 780.852.9474 • thejasperlocal.com • po box 2046, jasper ab, t0e 1e0

Published on the 1st and 15th of each month Editor / Publisher

Bob Covey..........................................................................................bob@thejasperlocal.com Art Director

Nicole Gaboury........................................................................nicole@thejasperlocal.com Advertising + sales

sarah DeClercq.........................................................................sarah@thejasperlocal.com

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fantastic brewster //

friday, january 15, 2016 // issue 65 // the jasper local// page A3

HISTORIC MALIGNE LAKE CHALET // JASPER YELLOWHEAD MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

Brewster will be fantastic”for Jasper: Levasseur the deal was worth. “I was happy with the price I got and I’m sure Brewster was happy to buy it at that price,” he said. Levasseur said not long after his proposal to build a 62-room hotel on the site of the current day lodge was turned down by Parks In a phone interview, Gerry Canada he started making moves to sell Maligne Levasseur told The Jasper Tours. Local that although he had “When I didn’t get the the opportunity to sell to expansion I figured it was an Edmonton buyer or a company based in Germany, time for me to get the hell he thought Brewster would outta there,” he said. Levasseur, 83, said he be the best fit for Jasper. wanted to do something “They’re in the business of new at Maligne Tours. tourism,” Levasseur said. “This will bring Jasper more “The minute you stand still you’re going backwards,” he into what Banff and Lake said. “I kept saying we have Louise [are like]. I think to do something at Maligne that’ll be great for Jasper.” Lake to keep it progressive. Levasseur said with We’d been doing the same Brewster having more thing for 40 years.” invested in Jasper, the Parks Canada turned down community and park will the hotel idea but said see more visitors. “I think Brewster is going to they’d consider tent cabins. Because that would mean be fantastic for Jasper.” On December 12 Levasseur changing the management plan, EcoJustice promptly told The Jasper Local that launched a lawsuit, charging a deal was in the works, that the superintendent but not finalized. The sale broke the law when he of Maligne Tours went considered an amendment. through on January 4. Levasseur didn’t reveal what The suit is pending. The former owner of Maligne Tours says he had two other offers on the table but chose to sell to Brewster Travel Canada because of their track record in tourism.

Levasseur, for his part, was upset but not surprised when Parks Canada rejected the hotel proposal. He suggested Jasper National Park operates under a different set of rules than Banff and Lake Louise. “I think Parks Canada administration doesn’t understand the business community of Jasper,” he said. “You can do things in Banff you can’t even dream of doing in Jasper.” When asked if he thought Brewster would be able to build a better relationship with Parks Canada, he suggested they would. “I think so,” he said. Levasseur made it clear he doesn’t want Jasper to be as busy or developed as Banff, “but there’s a happy medium there somewhere.” He said he wanted to express his thanks to Jasper for all the support since he purchased Maligne Tours in 1980, and added that without the business community, Jasper wouldn’t be what it is today. “If it wasn’t for the business community Jasper wouldn’t be there,” he said. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Local tourism //

page B1 // the jasper local // issue 65 // friday, january 15, 2016

The Jasper Local's Jasper in January Top Five Picks Get ready jasper, your favourite winter festival has arrived. Enjoy jasper in january like a local with these cool recommendations.

1. Avalanche Awareness Day SATURDAY, JAN. 16, 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. MARMOT BASIN

Search dogs and explosives? Yes please! Even if you aren’t into backcountry skiing, the pros from Parks Canada and Marmot Basin can tell you nerdy nuggets about gnarly nature. For those with even a slight curiosity about riding off piste, this is a great place to start to get an idea of what avalanche terrain looks like, how specialists manage it and who has to deal with your dumb mistakes if you Venture Beyond a closed sign.

2. MPL’s Chili Cook Off JAN. 21, 6 P.M. - 12 P.M. JASPER ACTIVITY CENTRE

This event is anything but chill. MPL’s Chili Cook Off is January’s best party, making it an easy recommendation. Think costumes, beer (or wine) and two dozen or so teams all competing for the best concoction. Competition has become fierce in the last few years—this ain’t your papa’s home batch. Creative ingredients, original accompaniments and a sliding scale of heat will have you reaching for the closest bucket of suds.

3. ACFA Jasper Winter Pentathlon JAN. 23, 11 A.M. - 3 P.M. PYRAMID LAKE

Celebrate the outdoors and breath the fresh mountain air at Jasper’s original winter hub. Pyramid Lake is the setting for a pentathlon like no other. Teams bike, cross country ski, snowshoe, skate and run, all in the shadow of majestic Pyramid Mountain. Spectators can cheer participants on from the warming pits, BBQ and hot chocolate stands— you’re never far from the action. Sign up today at acfajasper.wix.com/pentathlon

4. meet with wine reps and sample some of their goods //

“The story we want to tell with Jasper in January is that Jasper is really good at winter”

5. Enjoy the Tire d’érable or maple taffy on snow at the cabane à sucre //

4. Hopscotch and Wine JAN. 23 6 P.M. SAWRIDGE INN AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

The original sampler party brings together the best beer, scotch and wine reps around to showcase their favourite products of their portfolios. Meet craft brewers and distillers. Snack on delicious taps. Talk smack about your buddy’s unrefined palate. This event has become extremely popular in recent years; don’t be on the outside looking in.

5. ATCO Street Party JAN. 30, 6 - 9 P.M. PATRICIA STREET

Jasper transforms into a street festival that you don’t want to miss. Performers, cabane à sucre, a Red Bull winch session, food, games and an ice bar, the party keeps getting better every year. Dress warm; you’ll want to take in the fireworks at Centennial Park at 10 p.m.

3. ACFA Jasper winter pentathlon combines costumes and friendly competition. //

Local community //

friday, january 15, 2016 // issue 65 //the jasper local// page B2

Efforts to embrace Syrians connect Jasperites up everyday thinking of new things they’ll need.”

The helping of refugee families thousands of kilometres away has brought together two Jasperites who hardly knew each other.

Things like towels, or a rice cooker, or even dental floss. Happily, other Jasperites have answered the call. “We’re trying not to buy stuff, if we can get it donated,” Addison said. On January 14, Karuzos Steakhouse hosted Sweets for

Two months ago, Beth Tower and Nancy Addison didn’t really travel in the same circles. Now, thanks to their efforts to bring two separate families from war-torn Syria to Jasper, they speak almost everyday.

Both families have come a long way already. After Al Homosh fled to Egypt through Lebanon, he still had to find work. He did so in Iraq, but the political situation was untenable there, too. He then went to Turkey, where they withheld his exit visa. In total, he spent 241 days not knowing if he’d ever see his children again. “I think if I couldn’t reach my kids, I’d count the days too.” Addison said. Today, the counting continues. Addison has been “on pins and needles” waiting for word from the Canadian embassy in Beirut. Azem and her parents’ documents have cleared; but on January 13 they were still waiting for the final piece—a flight out of Lebanon.

“Now I feel like we’ve known each other forever,” Tower said. Tower and Addison have bonded over the trials and tribulations of filling out arduous government forms; of arranging accommodations, home furnishings and other basic necessities for the families upon their arrival; of reading the heart-wrenching emails from the displaced Syrians; and of defending their actions to a small but vocal minority of internet users who derail the positive progress with unhelpful and even xenophobic comments.

“Reham has told me she’s so optimistic for her future in Canada,” Nancy said.

The Al Homosh family today // submitted photo

“We’ve learned the best response to those comments, is no response,” said Addison. “At some point you’re not dealing with reason.” Instead, the women are trying to focus on what they can do to make a difference in the lives of the people they’ve pledged to help. Tower said getting emails from Omar Al Homosh and especially, his wife Rola, has made the efforts to extricate them and their three children from Cairo, where they are all currently waiting, all the more meaningful. “You get so emotionally attached,” Tower said. “I wake

“I think if I couldn’t reach my kids, I’d count the days too.” Syria, one of several local initiatives to raise money for the families. According to the Anglican Diocese, the Edmonton-based organization which is facilitating the arrival of Syrian refugees all over Alberta, a family of five such as Al Homosh’s should start with about $45,000 to get on their feet. A family of three (the family Addison has reached out to consists of 30-year-old Reham Azem and her parents, Hassan and Omayea) should be able to get started in Canada for about $35,000. For that reason, Jasper fundraisers are hoping to raise $80,000 (the estimates are based on a year of living with the assumption that able family members will find work as soon as possible).

Freeride team continues to soar // Ben Ederle is off to the Alberta Winter Games. The Jasper Freeride member will join teammates Cora Laidlaw, Demitra Sparrow, Theron Boyer, Pierce Decore, Thomas Hladun, Eli Erb-Beauchamp and Hunter Boyer when the team travels to Elkwater, southeast of Medicine Hat, on February 13-16. The 11-year-old said he was nervous for the mogul course. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t fall, he said. “It was an icy course.” Ben wasn’t the only Ederle to do well at the freestyle competition at Marmot Basin January 9-10. Brother Charlie, two years younger than Ben, got on the podium after he put together a couple solid runs in the terrain park.

As for Al Homosh, his family is still in Egypt. The Towers are trying to stay as optimistic as possible about their friends’ prospects; they recently sent in a stack of paperwork to the Canadian government after getting it triple-checked by Beth’s sister, an immigration lawyer. In the meantime, the community of Jasper is buoying the group’s spirits. Anonymous donations, neighbours lending their time to fix-it projects, people dropping off furniture…the generosity on display is mind blowing, Addison said. “I’m so proud, so optimistic,” she said. “I described this place to Reham as a storybook. I told her ‘you’ll be embraced.’” The Towers agreed. “The community is the hero through this whole thing,” Rod said. Bob Covey //bob@thejasperlocal.com

page b3+B4 // the jasper local // issue 65 // friday, january 15, 2016

LOCAL FEATURE // BY BOB COVEY WITH PHOTOS FROM JASPER YELL

In a sense, with the purchasing of Maligne Tours by Brewster Travel Canada, tourism up at Maligne Lake has come full circle. Sure you could split hairs and point out that it was Fred’s brothers, Bill and Jim, who started the travel business in the Rockies back in the early 1900s, or that today Brewster is a subsidy of Viad, an internationally-traded company based in Arizona. The fact is that the Brewster name has for more than 100 years been part of the tourism DNA at Maligne Lake. Indeed the first tourists to ever be guided to the lake—if you exclude Mary Schaffer and her travelling companion, Mary Adams, in 1907—were guests of Fred Brewster. That was in 1914, when the trip took three days on horseback, rather than today’s 45 minutes in a car or bus. Fred Brewster was the fourth son of the famous Brewsters of Banff. While his two brothers were guiding tours down south, Fred, after he returned from World War One as a decorated major, built Tent City on the shores of Lac Beauvert. He operated camps on Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake—not to mention in the Tonquin Valley—and pioneered the famous Skyline Trail between Maligne Lake and what eventually grew out of Tent City: the Jasper Park Lodge. No wonder people called him “Mr. Jasper.” Folks also called him “Mr. Maligne.” Brewster built the Maligne Lake Chalet in 1927. The building housed a dining room, kitchen and common area. Guests stayed in adjacent tent cabins—the same tent cabins that Maligne

first party of women to visit maligne

Tours wanted to recreate as part of th the same time that Brewster was finish Curly Phillips built a 24-foot boat for t of the lake. Powered by a motor, the b Narrows in a few hours. Thus, in 1927, tours on Maligne Lake was establishe

Maligne Tours was created in 1952, wh been started by Phillips (he died in an name. Three years later, Bill Ruddy bo pioneered snowcat tours on the Colum major operational changes and comm were coming down the pipe in the 196

Starting in 1941, when Brewster put th wagon road from Jasper to the north e sible for cars to travel part of the way ferry ride, then an overnight stay at M up for the rest of the two-day journey. bring their cars to the south end of M bus to Maligne Lake, but it was still a

When a paved road was proposed to M opment plan accompanied the bluepr Lake facilities be enhanced to include motels, a restaurant, tour boat facilitie ture, engineers suggested, but there w across Maligne Pass, linking the area of course, the scheme was scaled back; accommodations were in fact discontin Fred Brewster sold his Rocky Mountai an early boat trip down maligne lake. //

However the future plays out, we can see that by looking at 100 years of tourism at Maligne Lake, there has always been an effort by energetic men and women to help others discover the magic they’ve come to know there.

fred brewster with the first boat on maligne

feature //

LOWHEAD MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

lake. //

mr. Bill Ruddy //

heir hotel proposal in 2013. At about shing his majestic chalet, outfitter transporting passengers to the head boat could easily reach the Samson , the first incarnation of scenic boat ed.

hen Rainbow Tours, which had n avalanche in 1938), changed its ought the business. Ruddy, who had mbia Icefield, would preside over the mercial development proposals that 60s and 70s.

he first automobile on it, a rough end of Medicine Lake made it posto Maligne Lake. From there it was a Medicine Lake camp before saddling Eventually, by 1965, tourists could Medicine Lake where they’d catch a bone-jarring adventure.

Maligne Lake, an ambitious develrints. Not only would the Maligne e a marina, a campground, three es and the supporting infrastrucwas also talk of constructing a road to the Icefields Parkway. In the end, ; the road was built, but overnight nued. Because of this change, by 1970, in Camp to Maligne Tours, citing a

e lake. //

severe loss of revenue due to the operational disruption. Until this past January 4, that was the last time the Brewster name was connected—at least by legal tender—to Maligne Lake. Ruddy, meanwhile, expanded the day use operations; after increasing his fleet of tour boats in anticipation of visitors arriving in droves in their own cars, in 1977, he constructed the present-day lodge on the site where the Rainbow Lodge once stood. According to historian Meghan Power, Bill Ruddy and his wife Evelyn were renowned for their hands-on approach to ensuring that visitors to Maligne Lake enjoyed themselves, and they were equally popular with their staff members, many of whom returned year after year. As a loving tribute to his distinctive green woollen pants, shirt and Bavarian-style green alpine hat—complete with feather—Power writes that “staff liked to recite ‘The man in the green who runs the scene at Maligne.’” Although it was Gerry Levasseur who bought Maligne Tours from Ruddy in 1980, it was Levasseur’s senior staff who “ran the scene at Maligne” henceforth. General Manager Pat Crowley, who has been with Maligne Tours for more than 40 years, will stay on to help with the transition to the new ownership, according to Brewster. “There are no anticipated staff changes as a result of this acquisition,” the company has said. Jasperites, meanwhile, have been speculating that the deal could mean Brewster will ramp up renewed lobbying efforts for a hotel—something Brewster denies. However the future plays out, we can see that by looking at 100 years of tourism at Maligne Lake, there has always been an effort by energetic men and women to help others discover the magic they’ve come to know there. Fred Brewster—engineer, military man, cowboy, entrepreneur and guide—not only embodied that spirit, but forever intwined his family’s name with the DNA of Jasper tourism.

curly phillips helping a boating group at maligne lake. //

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

page B5 // the jasper local // issue 65 // friday, january 15, 2016

Local education //

Cross culture examination...but no exams the insanely easy access to nature.”

Consider this: you’re a 17-year-old student going to school in Victoria. How do you impress your friends from school over Christmas break?

For Victoria, Jasper was a chance to try activities she’d only seen on the internet: skating, skiing and building a snow-and-ice sculpture. “This place has a creative sense,” Victoria said. “Nature seems to emit spontaneity.” Victoria was struck by the visual splendour of Jasper because it was so different that

You bring them to Jasper, of course.

where she grew up, she said. Chengdu isn’t

For the last four months, Jasperite Simon

exactly Bejing, China’s smog-filled capital,

Golla has been attending the Lester B Pear-

but compared to the open space she explored

son College of the Pacific—a prestigious

at Maligne Lake, her home city of 4.3 million

international school in Victoria which is one

is like another planet.

of 12 United World Colleges in the world.

“In Canada I fell in love with nature immedi-

To earn a spot there, Golla had to qualify as

ately,” she said.

one of just 20 students across Alberta who were selected for an interview. Next, based on how they performed in that setting, eight

Simon golla welcomed roger dai and victoria yang to jasper during their christmas break from pearson college in BC. // Bob Covey

If Golla’s making the cut sounded intense, consider the competition that his roommate, 18-year-old Roger Dai, from China, had to

“This place has a creative sense, nature seems to emit spontaneity.”

beat out. The city Roger went to school in,

a distinct difference in the curriculum he was taught and that of what other students were

The trio reflected on the differences between

books until 11 p.m., only breaking for dinner.

Canada and China. Although to Canadians,

“For your college entrance exams in China

the relative freedom of this country when

it’s common to study until 1 a.m. every night,”

choosing an academic and career path likely

Dai said.

seems preferable, Victoria pointed out that

If that sounds like a lot of work, it paled in

China’s rigidity is borne out of necessity.

comparison to the work load of the room-

With so many people in one country, there’s

mates’ mutual friend, Victoria Yang. Also

usually only one way to stand out to examinvictoria yang gets creative with jasper ice sculptures // BC

ers: get insanely high marks. “Scores help in evaluation,” she said. “West-

atory after-school self-study classes. Those

ern universities look at essays, but in China

lasted until 9:30 p.m. and there was almost

they don’t as much because it’s much harder

always homework to do after.

to compare objectively.”

Suffice to say when they got to Canada, Roger

For these students, who seem to be getting

and Victoria they had a fairly ingrained work

the best of both worlds at Pearson College,

ethic. And suffice to say when they arrived in

their Jasper trip was a chance to relax and

Jasper, for 10 glorious days off, they felt like

simply enjoy the moments. They all knew

they were in heaven.

that it might have been their last opportunity

“I like the small community, the sense of

Service Directory

his foreign friends may have been, he noticed

ta feels like it’s being left behind,” Golla said.

8 a.m., end at 4:45 p.m., but then he’d hit the

closeness,” Roger said. “And of course I like

wasn’t jarred by social differences, as some of

“Specifically in math and science, for me Alber-

typical high school day for him would start at

until 6 p.m., at which point she went to oblig-

when he first got to Pearson. Although he

familiar with.

near Shanghai, has 13 million people in it. A

from China, Victoria’s school day didn’t end

in new territory in his hometown, Golla was reminded that he felt a bit out of his element

students were selected to attend one of 100 UWCs across the globe.

While his Chinese friends found themselves

to do so for a long time. roger dai hadn’t seen snow before he came to jasper // submitted

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Local hockey //

friday, january 15, 2016 // issue 65 // the jasper local// page B6

O Brother Where Art Thou? The game of hockey will always be a place for male bonding, but for a select few in the Jasper Hockey League, the game is truly a blood sport. Four sets of brothers and a brother-sister combination currently play in the JHL. Never mind showering together after the game, once upon a time these siblings shared a bath!

Trevor and Brian Groth

ice issues,” Jeff laughed. While the Bangles don’t play on the same hockey team, what they do have in common with the Groths, besides being born and raised in Jasper, is that they run a business together: Northface Pizza. The Bangle bros’ hockey style is strikingly similar: adjectives such as tenacious, scrappy and dogged come to mind. Brady, a power forward whose head can get as hot as his hands, is no stranger to the penalty box. Jeff, four years Brady’s senior, admitted it runs in the family. “I think I’ve calmed down these days,” he said. “I’m the one who has to keep my team cooled off now.”

Alex, Ross and Jake Derksen

working on their game. For years they’ve been staples at noon hour shinny, Jalopies and any other drop-in opportunities. They were also the guys saucing passes to each other at JPL all last week. The Petwawa, Ontario boys bring that chemistry to the Bongs squad. “Our dad loves that we’re playing together,” Tyler, who at 30 is four years younger than Nick, says. “He’s always asking about hockey.” This year they have lots to talk about; the Bongs team is stronger that it has been in years. That’s at least partly due to the camaraderie‚ and the slick toe-drags, of the brothers Clouthier. “Nick and I feel privileged to play in a league like this on a team like the Bongs,” Tyler said.

Rob and Colleen Olson

The Groth brothers, two key components of the fast and furious Fire and Ice Bonestars, haven’t always played hockey together—Trevor is three years older and as such was always ahead of Brian in minor hockey. However, when they did put on the same jerseys, the chemistry was immediate. For the last 10 years in the JHL, Trevor, a powerful, puck-controlling defenceman, has shown an uncanny ability to pick Brian—the sniper—out of a crowd for a pass. “It’s kind of a Spidey sense,” Trevor suggested. It’s a team joke, in fact, that Trevor prefers to pass to his sibling. He denies the favouritism, but doesn’t argue that it’s a common occurrence. “Instead of passing to Dan Anderson who’s free on the wing I’ll thread the needle to Brian,” he laughed.

Jeff and Brady Bangle

For many years, the Derksen name was synonymous with Jasper hockey. Between brothers Jake (37), Alex (35) and Ross (33), plus their cousin Matthew, their always seemed to be at least one of them at the rink. This season, however, the Derksen with the most ice time has been Kelly, the brothers’ dad. Jake moved away in 2012 and has since only managed a handful of skates with the Royals; Ross hasn’t dressed for more than a few games with the Bongs this season; and Alex is in Fort McMurray. As such he’s missed most of the Barley Kings’ season. With their skill and power, however, each of their respective teams are eagerly awaiting the return of the Derksens. Jake, who blends Alex’s silky skating with Rosco’s immovability, admitted middle child Alex is the most skilled, but only because he’s had the most time on the ice. “That’s the only reason he’s ten times the player I am!” he said. Alex wasn’t fazed. “Jake’s right. Practice really does make perfect,” he laughed.

Tyler and Nick Clouthier

Jeff Bangle is tired these days. Not because he’s out of shape, but because after seven years as the league’s commissioner, he’s getting admin-weary. Maybe one of the reasons for his fatigue is because, as a referee, he’s had to toss his own brother out of a game. Awkward! “There may have been some spill-over from some off-

Two years ago, during JHL league action, Royals centre Rob Olson dislocated his wrist during a faceoff. His opponent? His little sister, Colleen, playing for the Bongs. “The first game she played she stepped over the blue line and wired a slap shot over Mike Lyons’ shoulder,” Rob said, obviously proud. It was a paradigm shift for the JHL; not because slap shots were made legal (they weren’t) but because Colleen represented the first female to play in the JHL (with apologies to goalie Wendy Hall). “I knew she could compete. She’s highly skilled, moves the puck well and is responsible positionally,” Rob said. She’s also nine years younger, and, according to her, “a lot faster and better looking.”

Other brothers At different points there have been other family ties in the JHL. Honorable mentions include the Ferron brothers, Mimi and Stefan, Clayton and Trevor Anderson, the Werbicki brothers, Tuna and Rance, and Bryn and Conor Malcolm. Make sure to let us know if we missed any brotherly love!

The Clouthier brothers know something about

bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com