Reddick returns

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This article was published 24/02/2025 (198 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was a viral marketing campaign well before the term even existed, with the Winnipeg Jets catching lightning in a bottle with their dynamic goaltending duo at the time.

Eldon Reddick and Daniel Berthiaume — a.k.a. “Pokey & The Bandit” — played their roles perfectly and dressed the part for a legendary poster that became a staple of bedrooms and basements across Winnipeg in the late-1980s.

“My kids were like ‘Dad, what were you thinking?’ Reddick told the Free Press on Monday morning as he stood inside Canada Life Centre. “I was like ‘You know, they were giving them out at 7-Elevens!”

Now 60, Reddick still has one hanging in his Las Vegas home as a nod to a hockey past he remembers fondly.

“Winnipeg was always so good to me,” said Reddick, who went undrafted and signed as a free agent prior to the 1986-87 season after stints in the AHL and IHL. “I couldn’t have picked a better city to start playing in the NHL with.”

Short in stature (5-8) but big in personality, it didn’t take long for the Nova Scotia product to become a fan favourite.

History shows Reddick would spend three seasons here and appear in 117 of his 132 career big-league games, compiling a 41-51-14 record. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in the fall of 1989, going on to win a Stanley Cup in the spring of 1990 as an understudy to both Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford.

“That made it worthwhile, but my heart was still always in Winnipeg,” said Reddick, whose oldest son was born here and brother still lives here.

It’s no surprise he jumped at the chance to return when the 2.0-era Jets recently called him to say they’d like him to be their special guest for Black History Night, which will be held on Monday as the club hosts the San Jose Sharks. Joining him on this trip down memory lane are his wife and four children.

“It’s a big honour and a privilege to be here,” said Reddick, who was the second Black goalie in NHL history (Fuhr was the first). “It was an easy choice to come back. It’s a good cause and hockey should really be for everybody.”

Reddick is trying to do his part. He co-founded the first high school hockey team in Nevada and mentors young goalies at The Yard, an artificial ice facility that makes training more accessible. He recalled coaching a peewee team years ago against a California club that featured Jets backup goalie Eric Comrie. Sharks forward Walker Duehr was on Reddick’s team.

“Hockey is such a great sport. Why wouldn’t you want to give back?” he said. “And Vegas is crazy. They don’t even have enough rinks, it’s grown so much. There’s more access than ever to see the game, more ability to see people that are like you, or not like you. It makes it a lot easier for boys and girls who want to play the game.”

Reddick said the timing of Black History Night was perfect, considering the Sharks’ Mike Grier is the NHL’s first black general manager.

“Barriers are breaking down,” he said.

Aligned with the NHL’s celebration of Black History Month, the game is a part of NHL Unites, a league-wide initiative that drives positive social change, fosters inclusion, and shares stories of Black hockey players who have made a difference in their communities.

“Winnipeg was always so good to me … I couldn’t have picked a better city to start playing in the NHL with.”–Eldon “Pokey” Reddick

Reddick also got to catch up Monday with other Jets 1.0 alumni including Randy Gilhen and Ray Neufeld, who was previously celebrated by the Jets during the inaugural Black History Night in 2023.

“Hockey is unique. We all live our lives, we do what we do, but as soon as we see each other we go back and it’s like we’re all in a locker room again,” Reddick said of the life-long bond.

What about the Bandit?

“I think he’s a fishing guide out in Virginia,” said Reddick, who laughed as recalled the pair bringing their own props to the poster photo-op.

He was thrilled to see Winnipeg get another crack at an NHL team in 2011 and marvelled at the growth he’s seen in the city since his last visit here more than 15 years ago. He also applauded current Jets ownership for celebrating diversity and multiculturalism through special events such as Black History Night.

“Winnipeg’s always been like that, so that’s great on them,” he said. “There’s a lot of crazy people in this world today. For them to step outside the box, it’s awesome. I’m glad to be back to promote it a little bit.”

As part of Monday’s event, the Jets have the One Voice choir singing the national anthems, and Drum Café Winnipeg and The Hi-Life Steel Orchestra performing on the concourse and in the arena during intermissions.

There are also limited-edition Black History jerseys that were autographed and auctioned off, a special culinary additions such as Jamaican patties and jerk pork sandwiches with plantain chips, and Black History night merchandise designed by Black-owned Zueike which included a long-sleeve shirt paying homage to Reddick.

Reddick would love to see a different type of celebration around here in a few months from now — one that includes a certain trophy and a parade.

“I tell you right now they deserve it, the way they’re playing,” said Reddick. “Keep your fingers and toes crossed. It’s a long grind, you need to have key people stay healthy, that’s the biggest thing. But it would be awesome.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg