Gobuty dispels Gretzky backgammon myth

PLAYERS

Murray Bannerman: Winnipegger served as Tony Esposito’s backup in Chicago for the early part of his career, before backstopping the Blackhawks to playoff success during the 1982 playoffs. He is fifth among goaltenders on the all-time Blackhawks list for wins (116) and games played (288).

Jim Benzelock: A first-round (fifth-overall) selection of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1968 NHL amateur draft, the Winnipeg forward spent four years in the North Stars organization before joining the WHA’s Alberta Oilers in 1972. He spent the next five years in the WHA, highlighted by helping the Chicago Cougars to an Avco Cup final appearance in 1974. 

Laurie Boschman: Boschman parlayed a successful junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings into a lengthy pro career after being chosen in the first round of the 1979 draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils.

Jennifer Botterill: Winnipeg product twice won the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top female hockey player in the NCAA while playing for Harvard. Won five gold medals and three silvers as a member of Canada’s national team at the worlds. Botterill was a member of Canada’s gold-medal winning teams at the Olympic Games in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

Pat Falloon: Born and raised in Foxwarren, Falloon was a member of Canada’s gold-medal winning team at the 1991 world junior championship and also earned a Western Hockey League crown and a Memorial Cup title with the Spokane Chiefs that same year. He was named MVP of the Memorial Cup and was drafted second overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1991 NHL Draft. Falloon spent nine productive seasons in the NHL.

Lew Morrison: A Hartney product, Morrison played on the 1966-67 Flin Flon Bombers who won the MJHL title and reached the semifinal of the Memorial Cup. He was a first round (eighth overall) pick of Philadelphia in the 1968 draft and spent his NHL career with the Flyers, Atlanta Flames, Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ross Parke: Played minor hockey in River Heights and helped the Winnipeg Monarchs to the 1951 Abbot Cup title, emblematic of supremacy in Western Canada. The Monarchs lost the Memorial Cup final to the Barrie Flyers, but his play triggered a contract offer from the Detroit Red Wings. Parke turned down the offer, returning to the Monarchs for an all-star season in the MJHL. Parke went on to play for the Michigan State Spartans and also played one season for Canada’s national team in 1964-65.

BUILDERS

Barry Bonni: Longtime coach and manager in River East. Led the Knights to four consecutive Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League championships between 1986 and 1990. Has won six MMJHL titles and was named coach of the year twice.

Gary Cribbs: Served as commissioner of the MJHL from 1988 to 1992 and was instrumental in founding the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987, serving as president of the organization from 2002 to 2013.

Michael Gobuty: Key driving force and co-owner of the Jets in the World Hockey Association and ensured Winnipeg would be part of the NHL/WHA merger in 1979.

Barry Trotz: Currently the head coach of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, Trotz played in the Western Hockey League and MJHL before beginning a distinguished career in the coaching rankings. Trotz was the head coach of the Nashville Predators for 15 seasons and 1,196 games before moving to the Caps in 2014.

OFFICIAL

Rob Martell: Stonewall product broke in as an NHL linesman in 1984 and worked steadily as an official until being hired as a full-time referee by the NHL, working in the minor leagues until being promoted to the NHL in 1996. During his long career, he worked 1,004 games before retiring. He refereed his final game on Jan. 2, 2016.

MEDIA

Vic Grant: Longtime sports writer worked at the Winnipeg Tribune until it closed in 1980. Had a long broadcasting career at CJOB, creating Primetime Sports, serving as news director and program director at the station until retiring in 2009.

TEAMS

1951-52 Dauphin Kings: The Kings dominated the Big Six League with an overall record of 35-13-1 and became the first Manitoba team to win the CAHA Western Canada playoffs.

Assiniboine Residential School 1960-64: School won its first MAHA junior B playdowns in 1960, won the city junior B title a year later and advanced to the provincial final, vanquishing Morden in a two-game series. The team won the provincial title again in 1962, earning the provincial C crown in 1963 before claiming the junior B title in 1964. Those teams were represented by coach Luc Marchildon and George Kakeway, captain of the ’63 squad.

VETERANS SELECTION COMMITTEE INDUCTEES

Barney Holden: Legendary pioneer in pro hockey, who scored the first goal in a professional game when he sniped one in on Dec. 9, 1904 during an International Hockey League game in Pittsburgh. Led Portage Lake to three consecutive championships.

1920 Selkirk Fishermen: The Fishermen, founded in 1917, won the first championship in what would become the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in 1920, capturing the Turnbull Cup and, subsequently, the Western Canada crown. They advanced to two-game Memorial Cup series before losing 15-5 on aggregate to the Toronto Canoe Club Paddlers.