An MJHL brawl to remember

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/10/2016 (3544 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Way back in the spring of 1969, the St. Boniface Saints were in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League final against the Dauphin Kings.

 Prior to Game 3 of the best-of- seven series, Ray Labelle asked a rookie reporter to relieve him of his scorekeeper/PA announcer duties so that, as a director the Saints, he could cheer for the home squad.

The rookie, who had never been in the penalty box before, took the challenge and, in front of a packed Maginot Arena, picked up the mic and welcomed the crowd. Unlike his predecessor, the rookie could only announce in English, since he couldn’t speak French.

  All went well in the first period, with a couple of goals scored and a few penalties. No big deal, thought the rookie — that is until 18:42 of the first period when a bench-clearing brawl took place, which resulted in referee Danny Kurdydyk sending both teams to the dressing room.

 “Where’s your work sheet?” he asked the rookie.

 “I don’t have one,” was the reply.

  That’s when I learned that a notebook was needed to jot down penalties before filling them in on the official score sheet.

  There were so many minor, major and misconduct penalties, my next task was to ask the coaches the name of three, and a spare, players they wanted to start the second period and what order they wanted the players to leave the penalty box, which had been expanded to the stands after moving a few disgruntled fans.  

   The memory of my baptism by fire was relived a few weeks ago when I ran into Al Tresoor, the fiery Saints coach on that memorable night. A 2013 inductee into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, Tresoor, now a young looking 82, vividly remembers the brawl.

 So do I!

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 The annual general meeting of the St. Vital Historical Society is set for 2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 12 in the St. Vital Museum. The AGM is open to all but only members are allowed to vote. Memberships for 2017 will available for purchase at the meeting. Anyone purchasing a membership will receive a 2017 calendar depicting the history of St. Vital.

  Calendars are available for purchase any Saturday between 10 and 4 at a cost of $5 or three for $10.

Bob Holliday is a community correspondent for St. Vital. Email him at docholliday90@me.com