Richard 'Ben' Lacroix patented end to end rushes delighted Chapleau hockey fans

If you were an opposing player, (or even a goaltender), your best option was to get out of the way whenever Richard 'Ben' Lacroix let go one of his blasts during the years he played hockey in Chapleau.

 

Richard emerged as one of the players who defined hockey in the community for many years, starting about 1966 just after the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena got artificial ice. He played for the Chapleau Senior Bantams who won the Division B championship at a tournament in Lasarre. Quebec in the 1966-67 hockey season.

 

The Bantams, coached by David Mizuguchi and managed by David Futhey were part of a big year in the annals of Chapleau hockey history. In their first year of play in the International Junior B Hockey League the Junior B Huskies won the league and Northern Ontario Hockey Association titles.

 

However, it was in the 1967-1968 hockey season, the last for most of them as Bantams, including Richard,  that they really excelled. They were moved into Division A at the Lasarre tournament but won the title and they also won the Northern Ontario Playground Hockey Association (NOPHA)  'A' championship in the Bantam category with David Mizuguchi as manager, David Futhey as coach and Doug Prusky who was now overage as trainer.

 

Many of these players went on to play for the Junior B Huskies and later the Intermediate A Huskies in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League.

 

Keith 'Buddy' Swanson, who had founded the junior team with Lorne Riley and Tom Welch, also doubled as hockey writer for the Chapleau Sentinel.

 

In the 1970-71 season with Earle Freeborn as coach, Buddy wrote that the team was off to a fast start, and early in the season was in first place after defeating their arch rival Wawa Travellers 7-3 and 5-3 in weekend encounters.

 

 

Buddy noted that Richard had  "made one of his patented end to end rushes, passing to Ernie Chambers who scored and then followed up as he skidded a backhander the length of the ice to clinch things for Chapleau with 33 seconds left.

 

Richard's rushes and blasts were common during his junior and intermediate hockey years. At the end of the 1970-71 season, he had notched 44 goals and was named the team's top player among other awards. He was presented with the Molson Award by representative Ray Bradley, assisted by Jim Mair, then playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

 

Following his junior career, Richard Joined the intermediate Huskies, and was its first captain in the 1975-76 season. He was also named rookie of the year and won the leading scorer honours.

 

Richard had the distinction of scoring the third Chapleau  goal in the Mrs A.W.  Moore Arena in 1978 in an exhibition game against the Valley East Crusaders. John Tavella scored the first and Jamie Doyle the second. The Sentinel reported that Richard "put home one of his blasts." Assists went to Ron Larcher and Jacques Sylvestre.

 

From Bantam to Junior to Intermediate teams, Richard made a difference as a great team player and friend - and delighted Chapleau hockey fans too.

 

Let me share a personal anecdote about Richard. In 1970, I was in Lady Minto Hospital, and visitors other than family were not permitted for a time. Richard was one of my students at Chapleau High School.

 

One afternoon I looked up and there was Richard beside my bed, having snuck by those wonderful but very formidable nurses at the hospital. We had a great visit, and then off he went. He had made my day.

 

Richard 'Ben' Lacroix died In Wawa on November 14, 2014. Rest in peace Richard. You made a difference. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

 

 

High scoring trio of Pat Swanson, Ernie Chambers, Garry Prusky lead Junior 'B' Huskies to first place early in 1970-71 hockey season

Many played later for Junior "B" Huskies (David Mizuguchi collection)

The Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies were off to a fast start in the 1970-71 season finding themselves "all alone in top spot" after two weeks of play in the International Junior "B" Hockey League, according to Keith 'Buddy' Swanson, who doubled as hockey writer for the Chapleau Sentinel and team manager at the time. 

The Huskies had four wins and no losses after defeating their archrivals the Wawa Travellers at the Chapleau Memorial Arena 7-3, followed by a "thrilling" 5-3 win in Wawa on Sunday afternoon on the first weekend in November.

Both wins were "keyed up by their already high scoring trio of Pat Swanson, Ernie Chambers and Garry Prusky" who accounted for 10 of 12 goals, Buddy wrote.

Buddy also gave credit to the blue line brigade which was outstanding with lapses being few and far between.

As I read Buddy's coverage of the games 43 years later, I could not help but recall our road hockey games in the general environs of Aberdeen Street where he would play and do the play by play at one and the same time.

Also, I was refereeing in the International Junior "B" League  and Buddy and I played a little game with each other. As long as he was in the stands commenting on the general lack of quality of my officiating, even though he was the team's manager, there was little I could do about it.

However, one night, he made a mistake and went on the bench where he picked up his usual refrain, and very quickly I gave him a game misconduct, forcing him to the team's dressing room  for the rest of the night. We remained friends!

Those really were great days and a cavalcade of cars would leave Chapleau for games on the road especially to Wawa.

Back to the action! Buddy noted that the line of Allan Pellow, Richard Lacroix and Jim Morin had their moments in the Saturday night matchup but with no luck around the net in either game. The third line with "hustling" Maurice Blais skating between wingers Steve Prusky and Terry Bryson more than held their own any time coach Earle Freeborn sent them over the boards.

David McAdam gave the Huskies steady goaltending and in the second game of the weekend Billy Westerman played admirably when called upon.

Garry Prusky was the "spark plug" on Saturday as he "cashed two shots to put the Huskies ahead 2-0 after the first." Brother Doug Prusky picked up assists on both of the "picturesque plays". Ernie Chambers connected early in the second frame. 

Pat Swanson and Richard Lacroix upped the Huskies margin to 5-1 before the second ended while Jim Cannon scored for Wawa.

Garry Prusky finished off his hat trick 25 seconds into the third. 

Steve Prusky scored his first Junior "B" goal when his 70 foot slapshot zoomed past Real Samson in the Wawa goal. Over the years Steve became famous for his zooming slapshots after he started playing defence.

In the 1970-71 season Steve also played for the Chapleau Midgets where brother Garry was the manager. I was the coach and we had to plan Midget games around the Junior "B" schedule, but it was never a problem.

In the Sunday match in Wawa, Pat Swanson continued his "torrid scoring pace" and "blinked the light twice" in the first period giving the Huskies a 2-0 lead.

Ernie Chambers rammed home Chapleau's third goal  for a 3-0 lead but Gary Varin responded for Wawa.

With mere seconds left in the second period trouble erupted, and when it all cooled down, the Huskies were minus Garry Prusky and goaltender David McAdam with game misconducts. Buddy described it as a "violent fight" behind the Huskies goal.

The Travellers stormed to the attack with Gary Varin scoring two more goals but the defence of Wayne Murphy, Doug Prusky, Terry Higuchi and Tom Laframboise held their ground.

Richard Lacroix made one of his patented end to end rushes, passing to Ernie Chambers who scored and then followed up as he skidded a backhander the length of the ice to clinch things for Chapleau with 33 seconds left.

The Junior "B" Huskies started play in the International Junior "B" Hockey League in the 1966-67 season when they won the league and Northern Ontario Hockey Association championships. Lorne Riley started as coach with Buddy as manager but they reversed roles when Lorne was unable to continue. Tom Welch was the other founder of the team.

Teams for the 1970-71 season were Chapleau, North Shore, Soo Rapids, Soo Indians, Elliot Lake and Wawa.

Those really were the days, and on those cold winter nights in the Chapleau Memorial Arena, the community came together with crowds of 1,000 plus very common. 

Thanks to Doug Greig for sending me Buddy's account of the games. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Doug Prusky becomes coach of Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies with Jean Claude Cyr as captain for 1977-78 NIHL season

Doug Prusky, who had starred as a player at all levels in Chapleau hockey became the coach of the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies with the 1977-78 season, the team's third in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League (NIHL) while veteran player, Jean Claude (JC) Cyr became the captain.

Doug was well known to Chapleau hockey fans as an outstanding player with the Junior "B" Huskies and the Intermediate "A" Huskies, until an injury cut short his playing career. He also played on the championship Bantam teams coached by Dave Futhey and David Mizuguchi.

Under the new bench boss, the Huskies established themselves as top contenders winning their two season openers on the road  defeating the Hearst Lumberkings 11-4 and Calvert GMs 6-2.

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that "with a new coach, new captain, several new players and the team stalwarts from the past season",  the wins were "a fine beginning (for Doug) as "the team had never won their first games since entering the league." Graham Bertrand was back as trainer.

The newspaper said that JC Cyr, the new captain played "sparkling hockey in both games and was rewarded for his efforts with five goals."

Glen Cappellani, who had returned home after a stint in the United States Hockey League showed that his semi-pro experience had really helped his game as he came up with "scintillating saves" in both games. Glen would share goaltending duties with David McAdam, who had been the team's stalwart since its beginning.

Steve Prusky, Doug's brother was also home after playing in the USHL and demonstrated the experience he had gained since leaving Chapleau where he had also been a star defenceman. "... (Steve) has the ability to control a hockey game from the blueline...," the Sentinel noted.

Other new faces were Ron Larcher and Gary Legros from the Junior "B" Huskies, Paul Scheer, joining his high scoring brother Bill on the team, and Rick Walker and Danny Homerodean from southern Ontario.

Other players on the roster  included veterans Jamie Doyle, Pat Swanson, Ted Swanson, Dave McMillan, Tom Laframboise, Paul McDonald, Ray Larcher, Richard Lacroix, George Card  and Keith McAdam. Terry Woermke, Danny Vaughan, Moe Poirier and Ted Zajac would also be on the team.

Before the season was too old, John Tavella, of Wawa, joined the team. At the time, John held the Ontario Hockey Association Major Junior "A" (Tier One) League record  for most goals and assists in a single season set while playing for the Soo Greyhounds in the 1975-76 season -- 67 goals and 70 assists.

John had also been the 10th round draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens but had decided not to play in their farm system. john Simons of Wawa, who had also played for the Soo Greyhounds joined the team for the 1978-79 season.

In the regular season of 30 games, the Huskies enjoyed tremendous success under Doug's guidance, winning 24, losing four and tying two but for the third year in a row they met their archrivals the Timmins Northstars in the semi-finals, and lost with the Timmins team going on to become league champions.

But the foundation had been laid, and in the 1978-79 season playing in the new Moore Arena, at the Chapleau Recreation Centre, with Doug returning as coach, the Huskies finally defeated the Northstars in the semi-finals, which to the team and Chapleau hockey fans seemed the equivalent of winning the Stanley Cup. They lost in the finals to Kirkland Lake Blue Devils. 

Doug beside bed at the Summerfest races

It would be the final season for the team in the NIHL which continued for several more years until it folded in the 1980s as the "baby boomers" grew older and players were no longer readily available.

After Doug succeeded me as coach, the Sentinel reported that fans and players wondered if I was now more excitable as manager than I had been as coach. As I went through files putting this rough draft of the Intermediate "A" Huskies history focusing on Doug's time as coach, and who was on the team, I really don't know. What I do know though, is that despite ups and downs, it was an awesome experience to have been part of the team and be able to live the great moments we all shared. Thanks guys, and a special thanks to Doug Prusky.

Doug, retired now from the Canadian Pacific Railway, lives in Chapleau with wife Tina (Cappellani) and daughter Mya where he is president of the Chapleau Figure Skating Club.

Happy New Year to all. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Steve Prusky, Glen Cappellani, Jamie Doyle win top awards on Chapleau Junior 'B' Huskies in 1973-74 hockey season

Steve, Glen, Jamie

Steve Prusky, Glen Cappellani and Jamie Doyle represented the fine defence, excellent goaltending and high scoring respectively of the 1973-74 Chapleau Junior 'B' Huskies, according to coverage  of the team's annual awards banquet.

Steve won the Pat Bamford Trophy as best defenceman, which was presented to him by Pat,  while Glen was awarded the Denis Foran Trophy as rookie of the year and the J.M. Shoup Memorial Trophy as most valuable player in the playoffs as chosen by the players.

Jamie, the team captain, received the Demers Trophy for leading scorer, with his 36 goals and 44 assists, as well as the Smith and Chapple Trophy as most valuable player in regular season play.

Other awards went to Ron Larcher, who won the Molson Trophy for outstanding accomplishments on ice: Robert Doyle, the Pierre Ste. Marie Trophy for being the most gentlemanly player; Charlie Raitakari, the Denis Martel Trophy as most valuable player on the Midgets and to George Card a trophy awarded by the fans to the individual whose play was outstanding beyond what was expected.

Steve, Mrs. Sweeney

As an aside, at a league awards night presentation in Wawa, Steve Prusky was presented the Mae Sweeney Trophy by Mrs. Sweeney as the best defenceman in the International Junior 'B' Hockey League. Steve continued his hockey career in the United States before returning home to join the Chapleau Intermediate 'A' Huskies of the Northland Intermediate Hockey League.


Jamie and Glen went on to play for the Intermediate 'A' Huskies too.

A plaque was presented to Bill 'Esher' Ritchie for his excellent work as trainer.

The annual awards night and dance with Dr. Frank Broomhead as master of ceremonies was held with a packed house at the Moose Hall. Special guests included Cochrane MP Ralph Stewart and Mrs. Stewart, Barry McKenzie, former member of Canada's national team and the Detroit Redwings, currently general manager of the Sudbury Wolves, Joe Drago managing director of operations of the Sudbury Wolves and Ray Bradley of Molson's.

Retiring after six years as president of the Chapleau Huskies Junior B Hockey club, Thomas B. Welch gave his congratulations to all the fine teams who had played during the years, the vast majority of them having come up through the minor hockey ranks. He also paid tribute to general manager Ted Tokarchuk, manager Earle Freeborn and coach George Swanson.

Tom, who founded the team, which played in the International Junior 'B' Hockey League,  with Keith 'Buddy' Swanson and Lorne Riley, also tossed a big bouquet to the fans for their support, according to Maggie Costello's report in the Sault Star.

Ralph Stewart commented on the tremendous support for the team as evidenced by the turnout of supporters at the banquet. He paid tribute to the mothers of the players for their interest and to the fathers who gave so much time to coaching and other offices. 

Mr. Stewart also objected to the amount of fighting that was in hockey games and stressed the need for good clean sport.

Lorne Hoppenreys who was soon to leave Chapleau but had been very active in hockey said he would miss the players and community. Ray Bradley long a familiar figure on the Chapleau sports scene was making his final appearance as he had been transferred to another district. As reeve I brought greetings on behalf of the municipality.

Pat Bamford, who was a member of the team executive and manager of the Midgets was responsible for the award presentation part of the evening, while Dr. Broomhead kept the evening's events. moving along. In his comments Dr. Broomhead gave special thanks to the township council for extensive improvements to the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena.  Not only had improvements been undertaken, but Earle Freeborn had accepted the position as part-time manager.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

CHS grad wins hockey trophy and another chairs Chapleau Recreation Committee in 1978

UPDATE: JAMIE DOYLE IS THE HOCKEY PLAYER AND PETER BERNIER CHAIRMAN OF RECREATION COMMITTEE!!
Tell us the name of the CHS graduate and Chapleau Junior 'B' and Intermediate 'A' Huskies star who received the Peter Blackburn Memorial Trophy from Mrs. Min Blackburn at the official opening of the Chapleau Recereation Centre in 1978, and the name of the person on the right seated who is also a CHS grad and was chairman of the Chapleau Recreation Committee at the time.

The hockey player was also captain of the 1970-71, and 71-72 Midget teams that I coached, and the Midget team he coached won NOHA title in 1979.

Chapleau hockey moments from the McEwen Cup to Junior 'B" title plus "Heart of My Heart" by The Four Aces

"Heart of my Heart, when friends were dearer then, too bad we had to part.." lines from one of the top songs of 1953 by The Four Aces may well be the theme song for Chapleau hockey teams throughout the community's history. The Bantam hockey team of the day sure sang it over and over again on a road trip to Sudbury in their own passenger car.

Shown here in the Sudbury Arena are coach Garth 'Tee' Chambers, arguably one the best players in Chapleau's history with Harry 'Butch' Pellow and Aldee Martel.

The following is a glimpse of hockey in Chapleau from 1910 to 1967. Chapleau had a hockey team in 1893, likely earlier, but we know that the team made a trip on the Canadian Pacific Railway to play Sudbury that year. I hope you will look at family connections in hockey over the years and depending on your age be able to  relate to some of the teams, players and your relatives.

In 1966-67 hockey season their first year of competition, the Junior 'B' Huskies won the International Junior 'B' League and Northern Ontario Hockey Association championships coached by Lorne Riley and Keith 'Buddy' Swanson.  Back from l: Andre Rioux, Lorne Riley, Merrick Goldstein, John Babin, Ray Larcher, Mickey Jurynec, Greg Vaughan, Robert Morin, Reg Bouillon, Gerry Boucher, Jamie Broomhead; Front: Corky Bucci, Jean- Claude Cyr, George Swanson, Richard Morin, John Loyst, John Laframboise, Ted Swanson, Bud Swanson and missing Bruce Pellow, Bruce Fortin. Thanks Buddy!!!

High school hockey was very popular in Chapleau and teams played in the town league and against outside competition. Here is the 1965 team. Back from left: Peter Grey, John Babin, Jim Lapp, Richard Morin, Bruce Pellow, Jim St. Amand, David Stevens, Mike Tangie, J. Parker (coach), Brian Corston, Darryl Downey, Keith Corston, Merrick Goldstein (and thanks to Merrick for his phone call providing names and all on facebook who also contributed). Kneeling: Larry Joyce, Albert Bignucolo, David Futhey, Reg Bouillon, Gerry Boucher, Ted Swanson. Note that several played for the Jr. 'B' Huskies the next year. Ten years later Jim St. Amand was a member of the Int. 'A' Huskies and Ted Swanson never missed a game in that team's four year history in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League. Mike Tangie went on to coach in Chapleau.

The CHS team of 1956 is below.A highlight of the year for the Chapleau High School team of 1956 was a trip to Terrace Bay. Back row from left: David McMillan, Doug Sleivert, Stan Barty,Thane Crozier, Clarence Fiaschetti (teacher and coach), George Lemon (principal) Second row: Doug Espaniel, Roger Mizuguchi, Bill Cachagee . Front are Jim Hong, Bert Lemon, Harry Pellow, Ken Schroeder, Robbie Pellow (Mascot) Marc Boulard, Harry Hong, Jim Machan, Ron Morris. Note that Clarence was playing on the 1949 Junior team, and was also first CHS student to return as teacher.

Here are the 1953-54 Chapleau Bantam champions who won the Algoma Dairy Trophy.. Back row from left: Basil Collings (coach), Michael McMullen, Mrs. Broomhead, David McMillan, Richard Pilon, Tim Goodwin. Front are Charlie White, Ken Schroeder and Harry 'Boo' Hong.

 Ian Macdonald has provided photo of the losing Bantam team -- 5-4 in a thrilling overtime with Mike McMullen finally notching the winner. Back row from left Tee Chambers, Jim Machan, Jim Evans, Jack Poynter, Ian Macdonald, Bill McFarlane Front: Wayne Faught, Bill McLeod, Roger Mizuguchi, Aldee Martel

The 1949 Trappers were an Intermediate team sponsored by Mrs. A.W. Moore with many players who had returned home after serving in Canada's armed forces in World War II.

Also, in !949, Chapleau iced a Junior team. I recall going to watch the Juniors play and they were good. Chapleau had an awesome town league at that time. Back row are from left Orville Robinson, Doug Swanson, Lorne Riley, Greg Lucas, Tee Chambers, Fred Goheen, Keith Strapp, Toddy Collinson, Ernest 'Sonny' Bignucolo, D.O. Payette (manager), Pat Serre, Ross Hamlin, George Payette. Front from left, Yen Hong, Bob Evans, Reggie Sonego, Ross Thornton (coach), Tom Jardine, Angelo Mione, Johnny Morin, Mike Mione, Clarence Fiaschetti.

Below, coached by John McClellan, who for 30 years defined Chapleau High School as teacher and principal are the  Juvenile Flyers from the 1930s. This was my father's generation of hockey players in Chapleau, born between 1913 and 1916. My father, Jim Morris is second from left.

In 1919, Bob Turner, a legendary goaltender over the years was playing for a Chapleau team. In back are Clothier (could be different spelling and first name not given), Fred Kelland, Alex McAulay, Frank Boucher, Buster McAdam, Bob Turner, Amon Saylors, Ken Sheppard.  These were the days of seven man hockey and no subs.

Here is a local team from 1910, and if you look closely you can see each photo is numbered: 1, Robert McEwen; 2, Richard Brownlee; 3, Gordon Sheppard; 4, Adelard Lafrance; 5, George Collinson; 6, Tommy Thompson; 7, Tom Godfrey; 8, Ovide Payette; 9. Wilfred Wolfe and 10, Ernest Cressey.

Robert McEwen donated the McEwen Cup, emblematic of hockey supremacy in Chapleau. Here is the first winning team in 1911. Photos are numbered: 1, Peter Moran; 2, Gordon Sheppard; 3, Simon Kruger; 4, Harry Morris (my grandfather); 5, Omer Lahay; 6, Oscar Tremblay; 7, Ken McFadden ;8, Charles Mulligan (my great uncle); 9, Herb Merrick and 10, Robert McEwen.

My thanks to www.chapleau.com and Hugh Kuttner for the wonderful collection of Chapleau photos.

I welcome comments, stories and photos from all on Chapleau hockey. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Now for your added pleasure enjoy Heart of My Heart by The Four Aces, dedicated to all who were in any way involved in hockey in Chapleau, especially the Bantams on the Sudbury trips in the Fifties..

Chapleau Jr B Huskies of 66-67 win championships (Part two of Buddy Swanson story)

NOTE: Keith 'Buddy" Swanson died on May 7,2011 in Chapleau. May he rest in peace.

Continuing the story of the champion 1966-67 Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies, Keith "Buddy" Swanson told me that the team's "40th reunion in 2007 was very nostalgic for all of us and clearly showed that the bonds we made will never be broken." And so it should be Buddy. You, Lorne Riley, Tom Welch, the executive, the Chapleau hockey fans, and most importantly the players are all part of a great moment, not only in hockey but in the history of Chapleau.

Here is the final part of the story of the first year of the Junior "B" Huskies Buddy takes us through the playoffs -- first the International Junior "B" League series and then on to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association final. Here is the story:

The Wawa Travellers had won four of the six regular season games against us, and we had not beaten them in Wawa. True to form, the Travellers took the first two matches at home and took a commanding 3-0 series lead in Game 3 in Chapleau. The Huskies scraped through to win game 4 at home and headed to Wawa for Game 5 where the never-say-die Huskies upset them for their first win on Wawa ice, then came right back the next day and tied the series at home before a huge crowd. That set the stage for the 7th and deciding game in Wawa on Thursday, March 23rd in front of raucous 1,406 screaming fans, including hundreds from Chapleau.

The deciding game turned out to be a rout after the first period and the Huskies, led by right winger George Swanson’s five goals, won 13-3! There was no time for gloating as we began the final series against the Sault Michigan Indians on Saturday at home and lost 9-5 but came right back in game two and won 8-2. The following week proved to be the most pivotal of all. The Indians won game 3 in overtime. Game 4 was a barn burner that included the Huskies playing with only 3 defencemen (Goldstein,

Laframboise and Ted Swanson) due to injury to Gerry Boucher.

Huskies tied the game with the goalie out in regulation time and then fell behind by two goals in the 10 minute overtime period but again clawed back into it and with the goalie removed a second time and with seconds remaining tied the game 7-7, on a goal by Mickey Jurynec.

There was no provision for sudden-death overtime in the NOHA rules adopted by the League unless it was the deciding match of the series. So we went home down two games to one with one tie. Huskies tied the series at home and back in Pullar Stadium, in front of 1,400 fans, John Loyst completely frustrated the Indians in a spectacular 3-0 shutout win.

The 7th game was set for Saturday, April 15. The NOHA and League Executive stipulated there would be no 8th game and if the Indians won game7 in regular time or 10-minutes overtime, the two teams were to play a 20-minute sudden-death overtime period for the championship. Supported by an arena jam-packed with the largest crowd ever, 1,026 fans, the Huskies never faltered and won 5-2 to capture the series 4-2-1 and earn the Mac Nicholson trophy emblematic of the League champions.

But the job wasn’t done. After a couple of weeks off the Huskies then entertained Kapuskasing in a two game goals-to-count series on April 22 and 23. The rust showed in the first game Huskies won in overtime followed by a 7-2 win in game 2 for an aggregate total of 11-5 to capture the Colin Campbell trophy.

In all, the Huskies played 39 games in ’66-67, winning 23, losing 13 and tying 3. They were a high scoring team with 248 goals to their credit and Mickey Jurynec, George Swanson, Richard Morin and Raymond Larcher finishing in the top 10 in league scoring. It was a fabulous season indeed!

At the closing banquet the popular NHLer Eddie Shack was the guest speaker thanks to Gord Wilson of Richmond Hill and former Chapleau boy and well known businessman Roy Steed. Corky Bucci won the Most Valuable Player award.

I asked Buddy if he could pick the player who highlighted the season. Here is his reply:

In closing Michael I can’t pick one player who highlighted the season. They were all so dedicated and hard working and a pleasure to work with. However like a lot of teams that are only as good as their goalie, John Loyst was the most important player acquisition. We also had to overcome several injuries including those to Reg Bouillon, Greg Vaughan, Bruce Fortin and Gerry Boucher. During the year MVP Corky Bucci moved to North Bay, John Babin to Toronto and Bruce Pellow to Sudbury but Bucci never missed a game and Pellow and Babin made the effort and got back when we really needed them.

Trainer Andre Rioux drove John Loyst back to Timmins after every game. The executive did a marvellous job on the financial aspect of it and finished with a small profit for the future. Most of all the Chapleau fans were fantastic right from the start.

Buddy's final comment: "The Huskies tradition must never be lost."

Thanks Buddy for being the person you have been in the life of Chapleau, and for sharing your memories of the first year of the Junior "B" Huskies.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Buddy Swanson shares story of the champion Chapleau Jr. 'B' Huskies of 1966-67 (Part One)

NOTE: Keith 'Buddy" Swanson died on May 7, 2011 in Chapleau. May he rest in peace.

To set the stage for the arrival of the 1966-67 champion Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies, let's go back in time to 1929 and the arrival of Mac McAllister in Chapleau to work for Canadian Pacific Communications and play hockey for the Chapleau All Stars Junior team.

Doug Greig recently sent me a note that Mac, who became one of the community's great hockey stars and later a referee, wrote after the death of Mrs. A.W. Moore in 1979. Mac revealed that the Chapleau hockey board of directors was deciding on a uniform and he suggested that since the original Ottawa Senators had just won the Stanley Cup three years in row why not use their barber shop pole stripes. The committee agreed.

Mac also noted that the committee decided to have a Husky dog with the letter C around it, thus the Chapleau Huskies. Mrs. Moore, Chapleau's greatest hockey fan, made the Husky dogs, the letters C and the number for each uniform. She then stitched them on to each uniform. What an incredible lady Mrs. Moore was, and thanks Doug for sending me Mac's note.

Fast forward to 1966 and the arrival of the Chapleau Junior "B" Huskies, the first major beneficiaries of the artificial ice in the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena, largely made possible by Mrs. Moore's efforts. I am delighted to be able to bring you highlights from the founding year of the Junior "B" Huskies as told to me by Keith "Buddy" Swanson, who devoted much of his life to sports, particularly the Huskies, in Chapleau and until recently was a township councillor. Thanks so much Buddy for taking time to answer questions, and to your sister Sharon for starting it all!

Here is Part one of the story as told to me by Buddy:

Junior B hockey came to Chapleau in 1966 as a result of a chance summer meeting on our golf course between Tom Welch and a visiting director of the Wawa Travellers who were already a part of the NOHA International Jr. B Hockey League that had been formed in the 1965-66 hockey season. It was suggested that since Chapleau and Wawa had already established a fierce rivalry through the Intermediate Wawa Ironmen and the Chapleau Huskies, our participation in the league would be a natural fit.

In 1965-66 Lorne Riley and I had coached and managed a very good Midget team and with the other overage midgets in town we discussed the proposition and knew we probably had a pretty good nucleus of players to start with. Lorne and I travelled to our first meeting of the League in Wawa in the summer of 1966 on Highway 101 West which was being completed that year. We were well received and tentatively approved for entry in the League by Wawa Travellers, Sault Michigan Indians, Soo Ontario Rapids and the Elliot Lake Vikings. With no arena in Elliot Lake at the time, the Vikings played their home games in Thessalon and a few on their outdoor rink in Elliot Lake.

Our next challenge was where would we find the money to operate a Junior “B” hockey club with a budget of approximately $15,000.00? First we needed to find and hold an election from a group of people to form an organization. Three meetings were called and only Tom, Lorne and myself showed up and Jack Shoup at the third meeting. It did not look good but on the urging of Tom Welch, who was the owner of the Chapleau Sentinel weekly newspaper at the time it was decided to go ahead anyhow, and we would all solicit people to be on the executive. Tom was on board from the start and was elected President of the Club.

Bob St. Pierre became the Treasurer later replaced by Sonja Vaughan. I was the Secretary and team Manager. Lorne Riley was appointed Coach. Andre Rioux accepted the Trainer’s job. Directors of the club included Art Grout, Earle Freeborn, Ross Perrigard, Albert Tremblay, Jack Shoup, Ken Stevenson. Roger Mizuguchi handled the advertising and Public relations position. The executive was tasked with the responsibility to fundraise and find sponsors for the Club. As always, the businesses and people of the Town of Chapleau came through in grand style. Tom Welch and I attended the next League meeting in Sault Ste. Marie where the Huskies were officially accepted into the League. We were ready to roll.

Practices started and our roster was quickly set. Richard Morin was appointed team Captain. Richard had already played a pivotal role with the Intermediate B Huskies and had scored the winning goal the season before in Wawa to eliminate the Ironmen and pave the way for the Huskies to go on to the win the NOHA Intermediate B crown in a tense series with Espanola. Merrick Goldstein and Reg Bouillon would be the anchors of our defence having played in the Wawa series with Goldstein recovered from a broken leg suffered in the Int. B playoffs in Wawa. Ted Swanson and John Laframboise were also available. The versatile Gerry Boucher played both forward and defence.

Up front J. C. Cyr, George Swanson and Richard Morin formed an experienced line. Midget grads Corky Bucci, Greg Vaughan and Mickey Jurynec formed a formidable trio and Raymond Larcher, Robert Morin, John Babin, and Bruce Pellow rounded out the forwards. The only Junior aged goaltender available at the time was Jamie Broomhead to start the season. Freddie Coreau of White River was signed after our first two games and became the starter. We started the season with a decisive win over the Elliot Lake on November 5 in Chapleau.

The turning point in our season took place in the 10th game of the schedule against the 1965-66 champion Sault Ont. Rapids team which was the debut for new no. 1 goalie John Loyst from Timmins. Loyst was outstanding all year and was the only out-of town player we had. He was a winner in his first game as Mickey Jurynec scored in overtime to give the Huskies a hard-fought 4-3 win.

Unfortunately it was after that game that Coach Lorne Riley became ill and on Doctor’s advice could not carry on behind the bench. Secretly, I was at first reluctant to take over the coaching reins because we had my two brothers in the lineup, Ted and George Swanson but I quickly became Manager-Coach for the remainder of the season and the playoffs without regret. Lorne and I confided in each other throughout the season and he attended all the games as a spectator while I handled all the practices and ran the bench. The Huskies committed themselves well and finished the season in 3rd place with a 14 win, 8 loss and 2 ties record and had to meet the first place Wawa Travellers in the playoffs first round.

In Part Two, Buddy shares the exciting playoffs that led to tremendous success for the first year team. I will post during this week.

Thanks Buddy. This article first appeared as my Chapleau Moments column in the Chapleau Express.

Comments welcome.. my email is mj.morris@live.ca