4 minute read
Rangers Celebrate 50 Years of Memories
Rangers Celebrate 50 Years of Memories
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Past, present and future Vegreville Jr B Rangers were welcomed during the 50th anniversary celebrations on Oct. 25 and 26 at Wally Fedun Arena.
Rangers President Jim Nichol said it was an absolutely wonderful weekend. “We started the weekend off with our team playing Killam Wheat Kings Friday night and the Alumni had a meet and greet there which was so amazing to hear all the stories and everyone seeing each other again. The Arena was elbow room only. Thankfully, we came away with a victory for the alumni to watch.
Saturday we had six teams divided up to play three games throughout the day. The stands were full all day with family and friends watching the guys play hockey, some haven’t played for many, many years. The games were all competitive and entertaining. I loved seeing the faces and hearing the conversations of family and friends during the games. There were several sore muscles after the games. No injuries which was terrific.
After the games were completed we moved over to the Social Center where we had a wonderful supper catered by the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church. We went into speeches, and thank you’s, of course. One of the many highlights was when Peter Skoreyko, Doug Hopper and Ricky Marchenko were called up to the stage to accept gifts for their very hard work over the years with the Rangers. You couldn’t wipe the smiles off. Then we had an open mic time for anyone that wanted to come share some memories and they were all filled with many, many laughs.
One thing all the alumni were raving about was they were all presented with rings that were unbelievable. These were a gift from the Kucheraway Family. Absolutely amazing.”
Brad Tymchuk, grew up in Andrew and moved to Vegreville in 1975. He served as Head Coach from the 1996-’97 season to the 2007-08 season. He also served as Assistant Coach from 2008-’12. His older son Corey played four seasons with the Rangers from 1997-98 to 2000-2001. His younger son played on the team from 2000-01 to 2002-03.
Tymchuk said his love of the game and having good people surround him made all the difference. Of course, one of the big highlights was the team winning the league championship in 2005. Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee also spent a couple of years behind the bench. It was a familiar spot for him as he had coached most of the Rangers when they played minor hockey.
“There’s a lot of good people in this organization,” added MacPhee, who commended the all of the volunteers for their hard work and dedication.
Tony Bodnar, one of the players from the Rangers original squad (1974) was named Most Valuable Player in the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League. He also won the fan’s choice award and was the top scorer.
Those were amazing accomplishments as he only learned to skate when he was 11 years of age. “My first set of skates were double bladed skates and we played on the slough.” He played one year in pee wee and two years of bantam hockey in Two Hills before going straight to Jr. B hockey with the St. Paul Canadiens. He played two seasons with the Rangers, and describes the experience as the best time of his life.
Even though he only stood 5’6” tall, he was exceptionally fast and strong, well known for his penalty killing abilities. With a laugh, Bodnar says fans on the opponents’ team would cheer him after a successful penalty kill. While he was a fierce competitor he loved the camaraderie with his teammates, many of which became lifelong friends.
Bernie Wowdzia is a past president and board member of the Rangers. He recalled the time his two sons Scott and Travis played on the Rangers when they won the league title and earned a silver medal in Provincials.
Fellowship, exchanging memories and stories, made for an unforgettable weekend. Nichol said, “It was truly and amazing event and we are so proud of all the hard work and planning to the organizing committee that made the weekend so very special. One thing that sticks in my head is a few of our current players came and told me “This is so unreal, now I know what it’s all about, I am very proud to be part of the Ranger family.”
