Then there was hockey

Old Kelliher Hockey team Photo. Then there was hockey. Dad just loved sports. He was always to be found on the outdoor rink playing shinny. He used to get in goal for the big boys so they could practice for the town games.

Here he is on the right with a friend who wears a leaf sweater. Boy that must be how I got so hooked on them. It's in my blood. Anyway you can see here what the ice looked like and the care that went into making the boards. Some of the old town buildings can be seen in the background.

Midget Hockey Team Dugald is in the tuke first left front row.

My Dad Dugald was called Doug and this carried with him all his life. He had a nick name "Spark" and that is what he signed on his photos as a kid. He must have got it from the older hockey players who he plaed with every day. He eventually became so good he joined them for the town team practices, although he was very young.

Here he is with some team mates. I believe he is a young teen here so it would be the mid thirties. They are in the Town of Kelliher team colours. There maybe some names folks from Kelliher will remember.

Here is the team photo with the trophy. Dad put the names on the pictures so all can see and remember them.

Amazing how high the boards were. I guess it was not fun to try and find pucks in the snow. There is Dad on the far left. I really like the trademark hat as he told me when you are out there for the whole game you want to keep your head warm.

Even though Dad played on the town team he also coached the Peewees. That is him on the back left.

More pictures of folks he played hockey with. I remember Dad speaking of them often.

As an older teen 16-17, he went to play for the Mellville Millionaires. Living in the Prince George Hotel, he really thought he had hit the big time. He travelled by train along the CNR quite often. With the suit and cig, he looks like he is really growing up fast.