Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 3

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The Games Are Over, The Memories Live On

Ford Markell

By Terry Tinkess

Ford Markell has spent his whole life around
hockey, but surprisingly it isn’t his favourite
sport.

“I liked lacrosse, I enjoyed playing that,”
says Markell, “that and hockey. We’d go over to
Cornwall Island and play in the summer. It was
a great time. Them were the days.”

Markell played hockey growing up, most
notably with the Cornwall Falcons of the New
York-Ontario Hockey League (NYOHL). He
played there in the 50’s. The team was made up
of players such as Neil Burke, Claude Snider
and goaltender Pete Piquette. “It was senior
hockey, and there were teams like Gananoque,
Brockville, and Canton (New York). It was
pretty good hockey.”

Markell is perhaps best know for his
involvement with the Anchor Motel Mavericks
hockey teams that he coached from minor hockey
right on up to the Junior “B” level.

A lot of talented players wore the Mavericks
crest: Ken Chadwick, Denis Rochon, the Kelly
brothers, Mike and Doug, Mario Vien and far With more than a lifetime of sports memories that he is happy to share, Ford Markell now
too many others to even attempt to name. enjoys spending time on the waterfront with his family. Photo by Terry Tinkess

The pinnacle of his hockey career however
came through his relationship with the Major got to get him into Cornwall,” and you’ve got to says “I got a new idea,” and I’m wondering
Junior “A” Cornwall Royals, where he served do this and you’ve got to do that, and I’d tell him what has he got now. He tells me we’re going
as an assistant coach. Again, a lot of great Boomer, I don’t have to do anything, but if you to flood the ice with milk. He was with the
hockey players benefited from his knowledge know Boomer, you couldn’t get away with that Cornwall Dairy at the time. I told him I didn’t
and approach to the game, players like Scott for long.” The younger Geoffrion, nicknamed think it would work, but he was the boss and he
Arniel, Jim Kyte, and even Doug Gilmour, who “Bam-Bam” joined the Mavericks before moving said it would.
he says was one of the biggest surprises he has on up to the Royals where he played with his
ever seen. older brother Bobby. “Well, he brought the milk in cans, and he
backed the truck up and we threw it on the ice. It
“He was easy to coach,” says Markell, “ and Markell wasn’t only involved on with playing was something else!”
he was always a hard worker. He made the most and coaching. At one time he worked at the
of what he had.” Cornwall Community Arena, which was recently Of all the players he has coached, there is one
demolished. He was one of the people tasked with with which Markell still has a special relationship,
Gilmour, however, wasn’t the best player painting the ice and he remembers an unusual and that is his son John, who’s career held stops
Markell coached. He gives that honour to Danny “process” that took place when Canadian figure in Winnipeg, St. Louis and Minnesota of the
Geoffrion, the son of former Montreal Canadiens skater Barbara Ann Scott came to town. NHL, Germany, and 15 seasons as head coach of
great Bernie “Boom-Boom Geoffrion. the Ohio State Men’s hockey team. “Really, he
“I worked for Mr. Clarke, he was the manager is the best player I ever coached,” Markell says
“His father used to call here and tell me “You’ve or the boss of the rink. One day he comes in and with the pride any father could understand.