Old Time Memories
- Thread starter Canadiens1958
- Start date
Stonefly
Registered User
- Jan 29, 2007
- 1,032
- 3
1961-62
When I was in grade 8 Maurice Richard did a cross country tour to some schools. He came to ours and I met and shook his hand. He left an impression. Not very tall but had a chest like a barrel.
When I was 14 NHL ref Matt Pavelich officiated a game we played. Two things I remember distinctly. One being how fast he was. I was no slouch but was only 14. The other was when I happened to get a breakaway opportunity he skated beside me saying "go! go!" I ended up cutting across the front of the net opening up the goalies legs and scoring. Pavelich skated by after and said "Nice goal". I always liked him after that. I have a picture with him from that day as well.
When I was in grade 8 Maurice Richard did a cross country tour to some schools. He came to ours and I met and shook his hand. He left an impression. Not very tall but had a chest like a barrel.
When I was 14 NHL ref Matt Pavelich officiated a game we played. Two things I remember distinctly. One being how fast he was. I was no slouch but was only 14. The other was when I happened to get a breakaway opportunity he skated beside me saying "go! go!" I ended up cutting across the front of the net opening up the goalies legs and scoring. Pavelich skated by after and said "Nice goal". I always liked him after that. I have a picture with him from that day as well.
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Hockey Hotbed
Once upon a time - when I was little more than an infant - my little corner of the world was something of a hockey hotbed. Three Junior A teams - St. Catharines, Hamilton and Niagara Falls - and an AHL team - Buffalo - were just a short drive away. A complete list of the stars-to-be I was fortunate enough to watch "live" would be way too long to attempt.
One player who does warrant mention is Rod Gilbert. He was in his final year of junior hockey when I saw him - a couple of times - and I was immediately impressed. He not only was obviously talented - the best player on the ice - but he also had the classic French Canadian look (with his dark hair). Gilbert looked like an older version of me, and I could imagine myself in his skates whenever I was on the ice - the difference in skating notwithstanding.
Dennis Hextall also really impressed me. He was with Buffalo's Bisons, and in the AHL he was demonstrating the style which would attract many hockey fans to him. Hextall wasn't very big, but he was absolutely fearless - along the boards and in front of the opposition net. He put up points and penalty minutes with equal ability. A little later - in the NHL - Dennis would sometimes lead his team in both points and penalties.
Once upon a time - when I was little more than an infant - my little corner of the world was something of a hockey hotbed. Three Junior A teams - St. Catharines, Hamilton and Niagara Falls - and an AHL team - Buffalo - were just a short drive away. A complete list of the stars-to-be I was fortunate enough to watch "live" would be way too long to attempt.
One player who does warrant mention is Rod Gilbert. He was in his final year of junior hockey when I saw him - a couple of times - and I was immediately impressed. He not only was obviously talented - the best player on the ice - but he also had the classic French Canadian look (with his dark hair). Gilbert looked like an older version of me, and I could imagine myself in his skates whenever I was on the ice - the difference in skating notwithstanding.
Dennis Hextall also really impressed me. He was with Buffalo's Bisons, and in the AHL he was demonstrating the style which would attract many hockey fans to him. Hextall wasn't very big, but he was absolutely fearless - along the boards and in front of the opposition net. He put up points and penalty minutes with equal ability. A little later - in the NHL - Dennis would sometimes lead his team in both points and penalties.
Axxellien
Registered User
St.Catherine's= Buffalo= Chicago:
Yes, That Tee Pees, Bisons, BlackHawks connection was indeed something else!! Truly a pipeline to greatness!
Yes, That Tee Pees, Bisons, BlackHawks connection was indeed something else!! Truly a pipeline to greatness!
The Cullen Brothers
Axxellien, when my pappy discovered that the Cullen brothers were playing - and starring - for the Buffalo Bisons, that was when the excursions to the Aud began. The Cullens - and especially Brian - had been a big deal in St. Catharines, where they attracted the attention of my father originally. With other ex-TeePees like Chico Maki also playing for Buffalo, that just further whet my dad's appetite to see the Bisons.
The Bisons went to the Calder Cup finals the first year we began attending their games, and then won the Calder Cup the next year. We attended quite a few games over the years before the Sabres supplanted the Bisons at the Aud.
Visitors to this thread might be surprised to learn that the Garden City Arena - in St. Catharines - wherein the Cullens, Maki, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita etc., etc. starred many decades ago, is the home today of the Niagara Ice Dogs.
Axxellien, when my pappy discovered that the Cullen brothers were playing - and starring - for the Buffalo Bisons, that was when the excursions to the Aud began. The Cullens - and especially Brian - had been a big deal in St. Catharines, where they attracted the attention of my father originally. With other ex-TeePees like Chico Maki also playing for Buffalo, that just further whet my dad's appetite to see the Bisons.
The Bisons went to the Calder Cup finals the first year we began attending their games, and then won the Calder Cup the next year. We attended quite a few games over the years before the Sabres supplanted the Bisons at the Aud.
Visitors to this thread might be surprised to learn that the Garden City Arena - in St. Catharines - wherein the Cullens, Maki, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita etc., etc. starred many decades ago, is the home today of the Niagara Ice Dogs.
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Axxellien
Registered User
pappyline
Registered User
I remember those teams as if it was yesterday. Followed the Bisons & Teepees because I was a big Blackhawk fan in those days. Never got to a Bison's game but followed them in the hockey news. Larry Wilson was my personal favorite. Always hoped to see him back in the NHL. Used to watch the Hamilton tiger Cub games on TV back in the 50's. The Hamilton TV station used to broadcast them on a Thusday night, I believe. Was usually pretty snowy. Remember Murray Oliver playing for Hamilton & Bobby Hull for St.Kitts. Teepees big line one year was Matt Ravlich/Ed hoekstra/Pie MacKenize.Think Hoekstra won the scoring title. Ravlich & Mackenize had decent NHL careers & Hoekstra got in one decent season after expansion. Remember seeing a memorial cup game at MLG when Maki was the big star. I think Ray cullen was also at that team. their opponents were Edmonton who had Cliff Pennington & eddie Joyal. Great memories.
Canadiens1958
Registered User
Memorial Cup
Interesting sidebar about the Memorial Cup from that era and into the early 1970's. Teams were allowed to pick-up a player from one of their league teams for the final Memorial Cup Series which was a best of seven. Cliff Pennington played for the Flin Flon Bombers.
This was allowed into the early 1970's. The 1969 ,1970 Memorial Cup Champion Junior Canadiens picked-up John Garrett and Jim Rutherford, leading OHA goaltehders for the final.
Interesting sidebar about the Memorial Cup from that era and into the early 1970's. Teams were allowed to pick-up a player from one of their league teams for the final Memorial Cup Series which was a best of seven. Cliff Pennington played for the Flin Flon Bombers.
This was allowed into the early 1970's. The 1969 ,1970 Memorial Cup Champion Junior Canadiens picked-up John Garrett and Jim Rutherford, leading OHA goaltehders for the final.
St. Catharines' Memorial Cup Run
Pappyline, the year that St. Catharines went to - and won - the Memorial Cup is the year I began joining my pappy and my older brother when they attended hockey games. My recollection is that the playoffs - the early rounds - were underway. Needless to say, the Garden City Arena was packed and the excitement level was quite incredible.
The very next season - with guys like Chico Maki, Vic Hadfield and Pat Stapleton gone - the TeePees were not nearly as good and the excitement level was way down. Brain and Barry's little brother - Ray Cullen - was the big star I remember. That was the season Guelph's big star - Rod Gilbert - caught my attention.
Pappyline, the year that St. Catharines went to - and won - the Memorial Cup is the year I began joining my pappy and my older brother when they attended hockey games. My recollection is that the playoffs - the early rounds - were underway. Needless to say, the Garden City Arena was packed and the excitement level was quite incredible.
The very next season - with guys like Chico Maki, Vic Hadfield and Pat Stapleton gone - the TeePees were not nearly as good and the excitement level was way down. Brain and Barry's little brother - Ray Cullen - was the big star I remember. That was the season Guelph's big star - Rod Gilbert - caught my attention.
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