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Hockey memories all across Canada

January 28, 2010 02:13 PM | Posted by   Kevin Weekes  

In the spirit of celebrating the 10th annual Hockey Day in Canada hosted by Stratford, Ont., I 'd like to share some of my experiences in the small towns and big cities all across Canada. These communities serve as the lifeblood of the great game of hockey.

Please don't be offended if your town or city isn't mentioned below. It’s only because of time restraints. I’d be typing all day!

Kitchener - Playing in the Oktoberfest Tournament and winning Bauer 100's for being tournament champs. Loved playing in the Memorial Auditorium too - it was a mini Maple Leaf Gardens.

London – They were our chief rivals outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Always great battles. It’s also the home of Vaughn Custom Sports goalie equipment, which I wore as a youngster and most times as a pro. Lots of hockey history in this small city.

Brantford - Loved the Gretzky Tournament and getting trophy and handshake from Mister (Walter) Gretzky. Doesn't get cooler than that!

Brampton - Wow, had a bathroom emergency at Terry Miller Sportsplex. LOL! Thumbs down to Brampton Maroon uniforms.

Sarnia - My billet family for Silver Stick Tournament had backyard rink of dreams, complete with boards and lights! Can't believe we won the Silver Stick there, we played the tournament and the backyard rink tournament too.

Sudbury - The Big Nickel was one of the best tournaments. We trick-or-treated there three times and Deluxe Burger was the spot! Loved playing the championship game at the Wolves' rink. Our captain Mike Peca almost cried when his dad wouldn't let him have chicken fingers and fries at the Husky Truck Stop on the way home – ha ha ha! Ironically, he was the Wolves' first-round pick four years later.

North Bay - Was sick as a dog, outshot 51-28, but powered through in the McDonald's tournament and won a set of Vaughn goalie gloves for MVP. Still have them as a keepsake.

Timmins – The PeeWee All-Ontario Championship was there, and our first televised game was against Larry Courville of Timmins A&W Benjamin Bears. He had a commercial and a moustache - can you imagine? Tried curling too, couldn't believe how hard it was.

Sault Ste. Marie - The Greyhounds were too good. I knew Steve Sullivan was the man! Great crowds. While playing tin the OHL, we got a $5 per diem, so we pooled together to buy pizza.

Barrie - First time my dad heard me swear, I was 8-years-old. He still tells the story to this day.

Gravenhurst - Worked at Craig Billington's Goalie School in the summer, which helped me buy my first car - a 1985 Honda Civic 4 door for $1600. What a beautiful place in the summer.

Ottawa - Coldest place I've been to in Ontario, great city though! Todd White (Atlanta Thrashers) was really good with the Kanata Valley Lasers. It was an honour to play in the Nepean Sportsplex, where I finished my junior career with the 67's and the legendary Brian Kilrea.

Quebec City - We signed autographs as 13-year-olds when we pulled up to the Quebec Colisee for The Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament and played in front of over 15,000 people. This is hands down the best tournament in the world - what an experience! Felt like the NHL. As fate would have it, I was back for the NHL Draft in 1993. What a thrill!

Kamloops - First time out west and went to a Blazers game. Niedermayer, Sydor, Hirsch, Chyzowski and coach Hitchcock - pretty good team, huh? Never knew Dairy Queen served hamburgers, and we were there almost every day but still won the tournament. Really sweet to fly as a team as well.

Calgary - Playing in the Saddledome for the Mac's Midget Tournament felt like we'd made it! So many volunteers and very well organized. My dad even bought a cowboy hat. Thought he was Charley Pride. LOL!

I hope you all tune in this Saturday for Hockey Day in Canada from Stratford, Ont. (CBC, CBCSports.ca, noon ET).

From my experience, and I hope you can all agree, everyday is Hockey Day in Canada, wherever you may be.

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