Page 27 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No_122
P. 27
Presents Jim Riddell’s Sports Talk
with Area Senior : Mario Vien
Serving You Since 1937
even own a car,” recalled Mario. age division had an All-Star
“My father could just walk down to team, a traveling team that played
the harbour to get on his Coast Guard tournaments. There were 14 players
boat which worked the St. Lawrence. on the team, so when the team was
Nativity School was right there. The chosen it was very important that at
Bob Turner, Water Street Arena, Joe least four of the players had parents
By Jim Riddell St. Denis Field, Mattice Park which with cars. We won the Ottawa
had a hockey rink - everything was District a couple of times and went
ario Vien, one of the best right there.” to Toronto once and to Goderich
Mgoaltenders to ever come At eight years of age, Mario’s another time. We did fundraisers to
out of Eastern Ontario, arrived in offset the costs. Mr. McGillis, who
parents put him into sports. Mario
Cornwall when he was six years explained that school and sports were owned an electric store, was the
old. Maurice Vien, Mario’s father, team manager and my father was the
two of the most important things
was transferred to Cornwall by the coach. We did a lightbulb drive with
for kids growing up. “Each sport
Canadian Coast Guard shortly after cost $2 per child for the season. My Mr. McGillis acquiring the bulbs
the Seaway opened. The Vien family, - they were light and easy to carry.
parents put me into hockey, ball, and
parents Maurice and Yolande, Mario lacrosse.” We went door-to-door covering the Photo Submitted
and younger brother Pierre, settled entire city and raised enough money
on Edward Street, right in front of Mario shared, “We had a nice to take the team by train.” once scoring 10 goals in a single
Nativity Church. “Everything was rink behind Nativity Church that Up until he was 14 years old, game and 101 goals in a 25-game
within walking distance, we didn’t was looked after by the Sacred season. The switch to goaltender was
need rides to go anywhere, we didn’t Heart Brothers. Each house league Mario was a high scoring center, Continued on page 32
