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

 

 

Dane Ries presents the Michael J Morris Rope Swing at Cranbrook Aquatic Centre

When I did my rope swing in August at the swimming pool, aka Cranbrook Aquatic Centre, the lifeguard team led by Dane Riese were really a class act -- complete with creating a video of the occasion.

Well, Dane has provided me with the final version of my rope swing moment, and while I sure am no rope swing pro, I did it.

It all resulted from me saying one too many times that I would like to once again rope swing, something I did into the Humber River in Toronto, and into the Chapleau River from the CPR trestle as a kid.

Dane said, "We will make it happen" and on August 29, it did.

Here is link to the story done after the moment http://michaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.in/2014/08/rope-swinging-into-swimming-pool-to.html

Dane commented: "Working at the local pool we were able to help Michael relive his childhood and dream to once again swing out on the Rope Swing. Hope you enjoy his moment as much as we did!"


Michael J. Morris Rope Swing - By Dane Ries-HD from Michael Morris on Vimeo.

Yes Dane, I really did enjoy the moment, and once again I thank you, Jessica, Louis, Zach and the other lifeguards for letting me become a kid again!  Not time for the Winter years yet! Thanks to Joel Vinge too for his support and encouragement.

Dane, MJM, Zach, Jessica, Louis

George Young led polls for council as Bubs Zufelt returned as reeve by acclamation for 1951 Chapleau council

George Young, Bubs Zufelt

With Chapleau electing a new mayor and council recently, I decided to take a look back in my files to catch a glimpse of what was happening in 1951, the 50th anniversary of the municipality's incorporation.

First though, I extend my sincere congratulations to Michael J Levesque on his election as mayor and to Gisele Noel, Guillaume Tremblay, Kevin Lindquist and Gerard Bernier as councilors. All the best as you face and meet the many challenges facing the community over the next four years.

Now, back to 1951 when the mayor and council were elected for one year terms, B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt was returned as reeve by acclamation, but in a "quiet election" campaign, according to the Chapleau Post,  George Young (the father of Dr. G.E. Young) led the polls in his first bid for a council seat.

Mr. Young, however, was no stranger to community involvement. In fact, In 1921 a ratepayers meeting empowered a board to select a site for a new Chapleau Public School and it made the decision to locate it on the site where it was located on Pine Street until its recent demolition by the Algoma District School Board.

V.T. Chapple, W.R. McAdam and Mr.Young  selected plans and a new seven room building was erected with classes beginning in it on February 19, 1923, according to a document prepared by J.M. "Jack" Shoup. Mr. Young served on the public school board for many years.

Mr. Shoup, the longtime public school principal, was re-elected to council for 1951. My records indicate that Mr. Shoup served 16 one year terms on council, establishing a record for longevity.

Also re-elected for 1951 were Ernest Lepine and Arthur Grout. The Chapleau Post reported that the turnout was 44.36 percent of the eligible voters.

As Chapleau celebrated its 50th anniversary of incorporation --- the community had been established in 1885 with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway -- it was a busy place.

A sewage treatment plant and sewer system were just being completed and in February 1951, the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena was officially opened. Over the next few years, roads were paved, sidewalks extended, and new businesses and industries arrived. 

The CPR located a diesel repair shop at Chapleau and lumber companies moved into the area following the 1948 forest fire. Main (Birch) Street took on a new look. The photo included of Chapleau by the late 1950s gives an indication of how the central part of the community looked.

How many buildings can you name? Email MJM

The 1950s have been referred to as Chapleau's "boom years", and the reeve and council of 1951, deserve much credit in working to make the community a better place to live, work and play, along with the businesses and industries and citizens who volunteered to serve the community.

For example, I am always reminded of the answer Frank Coulter gave me when I asked him why he had served so many years on the public school board. His reply: "Mr. Shoup told us we had a duty to serve, and this is one way that I could."

In the interests of full disclosure though, Reeve B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt, was my uncle.

However, even though Chapleau's future looked bright, there was at least one warning sign in 1951. With dieselization by the CPR, it no longer needed to purchase water from the municipality which meant a drop in annual revenue of $5,000.

Thanks to Doug Greig for the Chapleau Post and Charlie Purich for the photo of Chapleau. My email is mj.morris@live.ca