Page 5 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 45

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Continued from page 4 The event also featured a historic hockey was in its infancy in

Lafleur, regarded as one of the best display of Newsy Lalonde items the autumn of 1909 when the
players in the history of the Montreal including player contracts and a promoters behind the National
Canadiens, and the NHL, joined the pair of skates he likely wore. The Hockey Association, forerunner
Canadiens as a rookie for the 1971/72 Hockey Hall of Fame brought of the National Hockey League,
season ... a year after Newsy died. trophies including the Memorial created the Montreal Canadiens
“When I was a Canadien, you Cup, Art Ross, Hart, Conn Smythe, team to attract French-Canadian
learned a lot about Newsy,” Lafleur Prince of Wales, and O’Brien Cup spectators. Belleville-born Jean-

told the audience at the complex. (championship trophy of the National Baptiste “Jack” Laviolette was hired
“They are the ones who started the Hockey Association from 1909/10 to as the playing-manager and captain.
dynasty. They were the ones we 1916/17). The Cornwall Colts and Laviolette signed Cornwall’s
looked up to. Newsy was special as Own the Ice teamed up to provide Edouard “Newsy” Lalonde to play
a man, and as a player.” some shooting games to visitors and forward and recruited his friend
The day was about Newsy and the the Cornwall River Kings hosted Didier “Cannonball” Pitre from the
Flying Frenchmen, but Apple Hill’s a booth and raffle. Another local Renfrew Creamery Kings (Renfrew

Jeremy Chenier, 12, was thrilled to hockey legend, former Toronto Millionaires) as a defenceman. This
meet Lafleur. Maple Leafs’ coach Doug Carpenter, trio of francophone players formed

“It was awesome. He’s a legend. was on hand to sign copies of his new the nucleus of the roster for several
He used to be one of the best in the book A Royal Career: Conversations seasons and led the Canadiens to
NHL and he won lots of Stanley with Doug Carpenter written by their fi rst Stanley Cup championship
Cups. My grandpa watched him his neighbour Ontario court judge in 1916. They played with such
when he was younger, so he was Gilles Renaud. The Cornwall Fire speed and fi nesse that sportswriters
happy to meet him, too.” Department was also on hand with a began calling them “The Flying
Mike Chenier recalls seeing booth. Frenchmen”, establishing the
Long Sault’s Riley Houle, 3,
Lafleur play locally. poses with a cutout of Cornwall In 99 NHL games Lalonde scored Canadiens’ trademark playing style

“He was impressive. I watched native and former NHL star Newsy 124 goals, 151 points, and had 138 for generations. Laviolette retired
him play here in Cornwall with the Lalonde on July 21, a day in which penalty minutes. In 104 National in 1918, the Canadiens traded
Quebec Remparts. I always waited Cornwall recognized Lalonde Hockey Association games he had Lalonde to the Saskatoon Crescents
for his special shot from the side and unveiled a new plaque in his 150 goals, 176 points and 355 penalty in 1922, and Pitre retired in 1923.
honour. Photo: Todd Anderson
boards. You expected it to go in.” minutes. All three were later inducted in the
The plaque unveiling in Cornwall Belleville, birth place of Laviolette, The plaque being erected at Hockey Hall of Fame for their part
was the second of three to honour the and the third will be in Sault Ste. Cornwall Civic Complex reads, “The in establishing a legendary hockey

Flying Frenchmen. The first was in Marie, home town to Pitre. Flying Frenchmen. Professional franchise. More photos on page 14