Page 13 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 14

sportsenergynews.com 13

Presents...Cornwall Royals Edition

Then and Now...

Gerry Desjardins: Still Playing After All These Years

“C” league, I guess, and they went to to it.”
the playoffs, but that year, when we win
His greatest success, according to
in the playoffs, the Water Street (arena)
Desjardins, came in his time with
was full.
the Royals. “That team in 1964-65
“Then I remember playing with some was the best team I played for,” says
good buddies, Ronnie Ward, Jean Desjardins.
Payette, Ray Burns, I could go down
The game of hockey has changed a
the list. It was a good year. It was my
great deal from the game that Desjardins
last year of junior, and it was my best”
has played for so many years, but he
The end of his junior career was not says that he thinks it is for the better.
the end of hockey for Desjardins. He “The guys are so big and fast and with
went on to play for many teams, in great shots, I don’t think I could make
many different places. the Colts today,” says Desjardins.
By Terry Tinkess
“I played for Lake Placid in the 70’s, “But when I played with the Royals,
efore they joined the Quebec and I played for six years. We played that was before they became Tier One
Bmajor junior hockey league, the every weekend and we were fi ve or (major junior), OHA or Quebec League
Cornwall Royals existed for two years six guys from Cornwall. Then I played (QMJHL). They called us Junior “A”,
as a member of the Central Junior for Hawkesbury in a senior league. It but it was more second calibre junior.”
Hockey League, a tier two junior “A” was the same league as the Morrisburg Although he says his impression

league that operated in eastern Ontario. Combines. I played there for a couple is that the game has changed for the
One of their players during that time years. better, Desjardins isn’t sure that today’s
was Gerry Desjardins, who came to
“Then I played in Montreal. I played players are getting the same degree of
Cornwall for his final year of junior

for Dalhousie, and we had one guy from enjoyment that he experienced, and
hockey after having played previously
Dalhousie, the goalie, and the rest were continues to experience from playing
for Hawkesbury.

from Valleyfield and Cornwall. I think the game.
Until they were accepted into the there were four or fi ve from Cornwall “Maybe some do, but I think that
Quebec league in 1969, the Central and the rest from around Montreal. some are pushed by the parents who
league was the highest calibre of hockey Finally, I played with the Cornwall think they are going to be playing in

available in Cornwall, and Desjardins Hubs in tournaments for almost 30 the pros.
says he feels fortunate to have been years.
able to play there. When he looks back “They play, they practice every day.
Desjardins still plays hockey, although
at his time as a member of the Cornwall It’s too serious. I pity the parents,
he has been on the bench so far this
Royals, Gerry Desjardins says there are actually. They have the big dreams, and
season, dealing with the effects of a
two main things that come to mind. it costs so much.”
virus that left him without the hearing in
“The first would be the start of the one ear and problems with his balance. Far better to play the game, make

Royals as they went into an outside “The specialist said the balance would life-long friends and just let it take
league,” says Desjardins. “They had a come back,” says Desjardins, “so I’m you where it will. The very least it will
team for a few years before, a junior waiting for that and trying to get used provide is a lifetime of memories.

• SPECIALS - Eat-In Only •

Tuesday Wednesday (all day) Sunday

Wing Night Spaghetti 30 Wings
Wing Night
with garlic bread
Long Sault Shopping Plaza with garlic bread + large 3 topping pizza
oz.
60
pitcher
of
draft
+ 60 oz. pitcher of draft
+
613-534-3959 40 ¢ $ 99 + 60 oz. pitcher of draft
FREE DELIVERY ea. 5 ONLY $ 30 + tax
Wednesday to Sunday 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.