Page 6 - IssueNo100a

6 Issue #100 May 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Thank You for Your Service!

Mike Smith Tells the Rest of His Story.

By Casey Leger

ast month, Sports Energy
Land Mike Smith recounted
some of Smith’s experiences as a
Canadian Forces veteran. What
follows is Mike’s take on the
highlights and lowlights of his
military career. “Every soldier
has a thousand stories to tell,”
he says, “but only a few will be
told.”
Sports Energy: What would
you say are the highlights of your
military service?
Mike Smith: I graduated from
boot camp with ‘Most Physically
Fit Soldier’ honours. I had a
dislocated shoulder, broken nose,
broken thumb, and stitches at the
time.
SE: How did all of that happen?
MS: No comment.
SE: What else did you enjoy?
MS: I did a peacekeeping tour
in Cyprus and spent my seven-
day leave in Amsterdam. I liked
Left to right, Don Cherry, unknown soldier and Mike Smith Photo Submitted
telling people that I jumped out
of airplanes for a living after I from your time with the SD&G Operations Regiment). Rappelling person’s parachute on my very
joined the airborne regiment. Highlanders? off the roof of the K-Rock Center first jump and getting shot at
I spent the last year of my time MS: Having two of the troops in Kingston and presenting a puck while in the shower in Somalia.
with the regular forces climbing that I trained with the Highlanders to Don Cherry. But the worst day of my life? The
mountains. accepted to and excelling with SE: And the lowlights? disbandment ceremony of the
SE: How about highlights the CSOR (Canadian Special MS: Getting tangled in another Airborne in March 1995.

Continued from page 2 weren’t winning, the fans were
Brent Loney, Rick Lalonde, and the first to be quite critical.”
Mario Viens and to this day, our Upon Wagar’s retirement, he
friendships remain,” recounts held the CJHL (now CCHL)
Wagar. “Outside of the Colts record for highest winning
circle, I have to mention guys like percentage for coaches with a
Archie Mulligan, Lou Nistico, .725 regular season winning
Mark Grady, and Jason Clarke as percentage and an impressive
respectable coaches.” .620 playoff winning percentage.

Wagar credits over a decade Wagar was elected to the
Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame as
of on-ice success including four
CJHL Championships (a total Builder in Hockey, 2010.
of six final appearances) with As for how he’s enjoying

having the best scouts, coaches, retirement, Wagar said it’s
and off-ice personnel. “You relaxing. “I’m enjoying my time
had to make sure you did your fishing, hunting, camping, playing
homework to bring in the best music, and playing hockey with

available 7 imports every year. the Cornwall Classics (when
Bottom line, if you were winning not in lockdown) and of course,
hockey games, the fans would getting to spend more time with
certainly come out. When you my wife.”