Big year in hockey planned in 1948 as Rev. Howard Strapp returned as president and Vern Goldstein named chief "whistle tooter" at annual meeting of Chapleau Hockey Club

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When Rev. Howard Strapp tried to step down after serving three terms as president of the Chapleau Hockey Club at its annual meeting in 1948, the members insisted that he accept another term, prompting him to say, perhaps rather appropriately, "I've been railroaded". 

Mr. Strapp, the minister at Trinity United Church at the time, was praised for his hard work and endless efforts that have helped to build the highly efficient Chapleau club, according to a report in the Chapleau Post.

The hockey club had overall responsibility for competitive Junior and Intermediate teams as well as the local hockey league with teams that played weekly in the "old old arena" on Lorne Street, on the site where by 1951, the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena was located. The Trappers, the Junior team, was sponsored for years by Mrs. A.W. 'Hockey' Moore after whom the arena in the Chapleau Recreation Centre is named.

Joining Mr. Strapp on the executive were N.W. 'Newt' Pellow as vice president, Ovide Cote as secretary-treasurer and executive committee members J.E. Edwards, F. Hamlin and A.E. 'Gussie' Evans all of whom would be involved the club's activities. 

The Chapleau Post also reported that Vern Goldstein was reappointed to the position of "whistle tooter" or referee in chief. Mr. Goldstein reported to the meeting that as a result of his attendance at the annual meeting of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association in Kirkland Lake, Chapleau would be entering both the Junior and Intermediate teams in the league playoffs in 1949. At this time in Chapleau's history, teams travelled by train to play in other communities.

As an aside, the first reference I have found to a road trip was in 1893 when a local team travelled to Sudbury. Unfortunately, they lost 2-1 to Sudbury.

Mr. Goldstein also reported that as soon as Highway 129 opened, Chapleau would be placed in the Soo Line League with teams from Little Current, Espanola, Blind River, thessalon and other communities outside of Sault Ste. Marie. 

The same issue of the Chapleau Post reported  there was a "very good possibility" that a car would travel over the road in January 1949. In fact, it happened. On a cold winter day, January 30, 1949, Highway 129, was declared officially completed.

Mr. Goldstein had also been reconized by the NOHA as a First Class Official Referee who may be called upon to travel and referee games in other Northern Ontario centres. He also planned to attend a referee school in Sudbury.

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After Mr. Cote delivered the club's financial statement which showed a favourable surplus, the Chapleau Post reported editorialized that "It sounded like the Dominion budget, with every detailed item listed on the balance sheet. This serves to illustrate how well the club is being conducted from a business point of view."

Regarding the local league, the report said it was too early to discuss players, coaches and team setups but even at this early date in November (remember they played on natural ice at the time), many street corner conversations were being held and the "boys are beginning to get things lined up. A big year in hockey is approaching."

My sincere thanks to Ken and Beverly (Yanta) LeClaire for sending me the Chapleau Post. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

TRAPPERS
The Chapleau Trappers of 1949. a junior team sponsored by Mrs A.W. 'Hockey' Moore. Back from left H. Fortunato, Rev Howard Strapp, B. Collings, M.McAdam, C. McAdam, R. May, T. Godfrey, J. Dillon, F. Lucky, T. Collinson. Front from left R. Longchamps, Daddle Swanson, Tee Chambers, D. Chambers, R. Morin, Y. Morin, R. Burns.
 HUSKIES
The Chapleau Huskies Intermediate team of 1949. Back row are from left O. Robinson, D. Swanson, L. Riley, G. Lucas, Tee Chambers, F.Goheen, K. Strapp, T. Collinson, 'Sonny' Bignucolo, D.O. Payette (manager), P. Serre, R. Hamlin, G. Payette. Front from left, Yen Hong, B. Evans, R. Sonego, Ross Thornton (coach), T. Jardine, A. Mione, J. Morin, M. Mione, C. Fiaschetti.