Page 12 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 115

12 Issue #115 August 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall Hockey Continues to Foster Lifelong

Friendships, as a Group of Players from 1974-80

get Together to Catch Up and Reminisce

For Deebank, this reunion
By Molly Kett
brought him a more personal story
from Rick St. Jean that he was
ecently, a group of Cornwall appreciative to learn.
Rhockey players got together to “Apparently while we were in
reminisce, catch up, and share some
Quebec City, a French language
much-needed time together while reporter wrote a lengthy article on
golfing and sharing a meal. The my dad’s lacrosse exploits, and
teams involved spanned Peewee to
indicated his son was playing in
Juvenile hockey teams from 1974- the tournament. I had no idea this
1980. For some of them, it was the
had happened, and it was nice to
first time getting together in over learn about it after all these years,”
25 years.
said Deebank. “My Dad’s in the
“There were lots of stories we Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame Back row from left to right: Guy Primeau, Ross Deebank, Rick St. Jean,
shared about tournaments we (inducted in 1968), stood about 6 Andre Patenaude, David Mckissock, David Veenstra, Guy Lamarche
and Mike Leblanc. Front row, left to right: Guy Corriveau, Rob Lalonde
played all over Ontario, Quebec, feet 6 inches tall, and was quite a
and Gilles Lascelle. Photo Submitted
and Upstate New York, the families player in his day. Punch Imlach,
we billeted with, and two trips we (former Leafs and Sabres coach), over several years, and his wife made up a formidable coaching
made to play in Findlay, Ohio,” also included two pages on him Sue. They joined us for a hockey duo that helped us develop as
said Ross Deebank, one of the in a book he wrote in 1969 called reunion dinner after the golf and it players and, win lots of games and
reunion attendees. “There were also “Hockey Is a Battle” and invited was fantastic seeing them after all tournaments.”
several stories told about the large us to a Canadiens-Sabres game these years,” said Deebank. “For Deebank says that the group
Quebec Pewee “A” tournament at the Forum after the book was me personally, Bill was one of my owes many thanks to Guy Primeau,
that takes place during the Quebec published. We got together at the favourite coaches who taught me who organized the event from golf
City Winter Carnival. Our team Sabres’ hotel prior to the game, a lot and was very instrumental in to dinner.
did extremely well and during one and he shared several stories about my development. He also helped
of our games, a Canadian Press my dad’s playing days. Hearing the open up options for an OHL “Rick St. Jean also added a
reporter took a picture of one of our story brought back a lot of these scholarship when I was pursuing really nice touch at the 19th hole
players (Mark Payment) stepping memories from those days so I was US scholarship opportunities, and I after golf where he made a toast to

onto the ice. The photo was taken really glad to learn about it.” was always very appreciative of his remember three former players,”
from behind and our sponsor’s Swapping stories and connecting efforts and guidance. I also plan on said Deebank. “Two of these
name, Westburne Hussey Electric, over the love of the sport is one adopting his teachings on respectful players have passed on (Robbie
was quite visible in the photo. The of the best parts of playing on a coaching and fair play into my own Taylor and David Bellefeuille) and
sponsor was so thrilled with the coaching practices with the teams a third, (Ricky Spurr), experienced
team. Deebank said that getting
exposure they arranged for a to reconnect with teammates, and I’m now coaching. Many thanks to a life-altering illness shortly after
year-end celebratory gathering in planning to do so more often, was Bill for the many hours he devoted our playing days.”
Cornwall and had Jean Béliveau the best part of finally getting back to developing us, both as players It’s truly no surprise that after all
attend. We all got autographed together again. and young adults. We were also these years, the Cornwall hockey
sticks, took photos with Jean, and thrilled that Ron Antoine was able guys find a way to get together
several parents were just as thrilled “The other part everyone to travel from Ottawa to join us for and share a memory. This athletic
as the kids getting to meet the Habs was happy about was seeing dinner. Ron coached alongside Bill community is one of the strongest
legend.” Bill Murphy who coached us Murphy for a few seasons, and they out there.