You Are Not Alone: A Remarkable COVID Story
You are Not Alone: A Remarkable COVID Story This morning I (Stan Neufeld) came across a good news/bad news article by Justin Cohn a reporter for the Fort Wayne Indiana Journal Gazette. It reported that Doug had been stricken by a life threatening case of COVID 19. However, there was good news. He was about […]
Tribute to Galen Head
A Tribute to Galen HeadNumber One Ambassador on the Ice, Prolific Scorer, Team Leader and Gentleman Personally and on behalf of the Grande Prairie Hockey Legends Community I send condolences to Gracie Head and her family concerning the passing of Galen on March 14, 2020. Like Galen, I grew up playing minor hockey in Grande […]
What’s In A Skate? Billy’s Tacks
WHAT’S IN A SKATE? BILLY’S TACKS The Legend’s display at Revolution Place recently received a treasure – the last skates Billy wore before he retired from hockey. “I got these new skates, Tackaberries, after returning home after the war and before I got married in 1950. Everyone wanted a pair of Tacks. That was a […]
Gruff and Tough but Ever So Gentle: Roy Borstad (1932–2019)
GRUFF AND TOUGH BUT EVER SO GENTLE: ROY BORSTAD (1932–2019)The gate on the Grande Prairie Athletics player box is closed today to honour Grande Prairie hockey legend Roy Borstad. It is difficult for me to imagine Grande Prairie without the physical presence of Roy. More important than his imposing physical presence are the indelible marks […]
2018–2019 Minor Hockey Memorial Awards: Remembering George Repka Jr.
GRANDE PRAIRIE MINOR HOCKEY 2018 – 2019 MEMORIAL AWARDS Remembering George Repka Jr. Role Models From Yesterday & Today – Leaders For TomorrowI was privileged to attend this year’s minor hockey awards ceremony and I must say – it triggered a wave of nostalgia as I recalled learning to skate on a backyard rink with […]
A Salute to GPMHA, Awards & Volunteers
GRANDE PRAIRIE MINOR HOCKEYA SALUTE TO GPMHA, AWARDS & VOLUNTEERS Female Coach of the Year and Male Coach of the Year I can’t overstate the value of minor hockey to our community: an activity that relies on the Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association (GPMHA) to plan and organize opportunities for youth in our community to […]
Role Models from the Yesterday – Leaders for Tomorrow
The Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association (GPMH) recently conducted its annual year-end Memorial and Coaching Awards event at the Coca-Cola Centre. I must say – this event triggered a wave of nostalgia as I recalled my personal experience in minor hockey. The story of Two Rinks on the Bear Creek Flats is central to my […]
Carter Rowney: One Among Thousands
Today (June 11, 2017) Carter Rowney – born in Grande Prairie and raised on a nearby farm in Sexsmith (population 2771) joined his Pittsburgh Penguin teammates to hoist the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A recent study reports the chances of moving from minor hockey […]
Hockey – It’s in their Blood
Continuing… Take a look: Grandpa Gary Clements – Gary launched the growing tradition of Clements hockey players in Grande Prairie in 1974 playing with the Athletics. The stalwart defenceman played two years with the Athletics in the South Peace Hockey League and the following season was named the league’s first string all star, most valuable […]
The Life of a Grande Prairie Hockey Legend
Garry “Duke” Edmundson 1932 – 2016 The Canuck Seniors with whom I (Ron) was playing at the time had registered to compete in an Old Timer tournament in Victoria. Due to other commitments I was unable to join the team. Following the tournament a teammate told me about a game they had played and lost […]