Memories of hockey season

Although the weather must be the biggest news item lately, hockey is likely quite close behind. All the stories of championships and near-wins led me to remember this picture from Mum’s collection. What? No helmets nor mask for the goalie?!



The Kincardine Legion Midget Hockey Team, 1954-55: Back row - Coach Herman Young (left), Doug Love, Dick Goodwin, Don McLeod, Don Murray, Mike Palmer, Gordie Hyde, Bill Cobean, manager Don Picot; and front row – John McLeod (left), Dale Fenton, Joe Maxwell, Wayne Scott, Dale Brown, Terry Purves

Why did Mum keep this clipping? Well, not only did many of these young men start Grade 9 the same year I did, but we were acquainted with the families of a number of them even though the township was not represented. Were farm boys too busy doing chores?

Some were seen on Sundays in the Anglican Church of the Messiah in Kincardine. Of course, we visited Russ Love’s Shoe Store when it was time for new footwear and Doug sat right behind me in class. The need for a haircut took us to Gretta Palmer’s salon.

From this point of view, it seems as if it were just a few years before we were dancing to the music of Mike’s saxophone at the Beach Pavilion. Lunch time was long enough to allow a walk to Murray’s Dairy with my chum, Lois Orr, for a five-cent ice cream cone.

It was certainly normal to find Herman Young coaching teams then and for many more years. I don’t remember ever seeing this team play.

Daddy would be more likely to take me to see older players such as those with the name of Wilson, Johnny, Tommy, Cam.

Think way back. Who did you watch play?