Page 52 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 136

52 Issue #136 May 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

Continued from page 27 & Patty would soon be planning a goaltender within a few weeks. and let me play whenever I could.”
wedding. Cornwall’s downtown was Now at 25, he was playing hockey, Steve tried to play at times that didn’t
for work. The search ended at the
a beehive of activity in those days. something he’d always wanted to interfere with family time; hockey
main gate of Domtar, close to home. Shopping was centralized at Pitt do. He played any chance he could had become his primary hobby.
The mill was good for Steve, who
and Second, Montreal Road in the get. One day Brian Barker saw Steve
spent five years there. Eventually he east end, and the Brookdale Mall on the ice and offered advice. Brian Years later, one ice time was
started looking for more challenging, in the west end. Today’s shopping suggested Steve go to hockey school. Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. The
less repetitive, work away from the Cornwall Hubs were on the ice
trends weren’t on the radar back
process and production lines. He in the late 1970’s.Those small Huron Hockey School was in after, in the 9:30 slot. They were a
was leaning towards something he its formative years, running a tournament team filled with talent.
independent shops were the retail
had been doing since his mid-teens. backbone; larger stores had yet to goaltending camp within their Ex pros, university and senior hockey
Schulman’s was a busy men’s wear begin expansion. Learning the men’s summer program. Many of the veterans, and all levels of former
store where his dad worked, and Steve instructors were former Cornwall junior players were on the ice on
wear business was challenging,
had worked after school, weekends, rewarding, and exciting. There was Royals that Steve knew from the Sunday mornings. Their scrimmages
and summer breaks. He and his dad store, and although feeling awkward were fast paced and entertaining;
always something to learn, lots to do.
worked well together, the store’s at first, by the end of the week the they were good. “I watched them
owner was having health issues and In business you need to give time experience was totally positive. Tim scrimmage every chance I got. I
looking to sell his business. After to your community in a positive way, Bernhardt’s evaluation at weeks end figured out how to position and
some negotiations, a deal was done, it helps to grow your business; and found a couple of positives for Steve challenge shooters watching Dave
and in November Steve became part Steve was becoming active in the to work on, and emphasized the need Alguire. Dave’s not very big, but he
owner along with his mom and dad. community. One of those activities to get skating every chance he could. played big in the net,” says Steve. He
The year was 1976. led to a call from Ken Sliter to play Patty and Steve had married a few often wondered what it would be like
hockey. Steve told Ken he would play to play at that level and one morning
While all of this was going on Steve years later and in the early eighties
had met Patty; the future was looking nets if he could find some equipment. were blessed with a daughter and he got the chance.
A combination of used and borrowed
good. Life was changing, the local then a son. Life was good and getting “I was in my early ‘40’s. I’d just
gear was gathered with Ken’s help;
economy was bustling, and Steve busier. “Patty knew I loved hockey
Steve became Cornwall’s newest Continued on page 54