Page 15 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 46

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Wensink Returns Home for Games

It’s the way it’s played now. The
By Todd Anderson
skill level these players have now
s you enter the Maxville and is unreal. It’s an exciting game but
ADistrict Sports Complex players don’t have as much time with
lobby, a painted mural on the east the puck. I’m not sure about some of
wall captures a moment between the changes, with the stretch passes
legendary Boston Bruins coach and there’s not as much creativity. They
Hockey Night in Canada icon Don fire the puck in, and the game plan

Cherry and one of his favourite is to go get it back. Everything is
players, John Wensink. In late geared for speed. Two skates weigh
July, Wensink returned to his home as much as one of my old ones. The
town of Maxville to visit his mother composite sticks. Imagine Guy
Nellie, family, and friends, and take Lafleur with those lighter skates.

in the festivities during the Glengarry Imagine Barry Beck or Bobby Hull
Highland Games. with the flex on those sticks. Is it

all good for the game? I have to say
Sporting dark sunglasses, a Royal
Canadian Air Force t-shirt, and an yes.”
impressive moustache that would As an alumnus in St. Louis,
make Lanny MacDonald proud, the Wensink says he is proud to see five

former NHL heavyweight wasn’t players from Missouri selected in
hard to spot sitting amongst the the first round of this summer’s NHL

crowd in Maxville. After a strong, Entry Draft. The former Cornwall
heavy handshake as introduction, Royal has worked with many minor
he spoke with Sports Energy about hockey league camps in Missouri,
the enjoyment he was having back Former NHL legend John Wensink, a native of Maxville, returned to and even hosted a couple in Maxville
home. his home town during the 2016 Glengarry Highland Games in August. years back.
There he cheered on his grandchildren, pictured from left Jonas

“This might be the first time I have Blanckenship, 9, Taylor Wensink, 9, and Jack Blanckenship, 7, while “It’s the fruits of your labour.
been here for the Highland Games they competed in the junior heavy weights competition. For five (St. Louis-area) kids to go

in 15 years,” he recalls. “We’re all Photo: Todd Anderson in the top 12, that says a lot to the
having fun. We try and plan a fishing alumni. Guys like (former St. Louis

trip with my senior men’s (hockey St. Louis Blues alumnae on various little water bug. Jack is a real good Blues) Jeff Brown, Keith Tkachuk,
team) each year. Maybe we should hockey tours. Every second year he skater. Jonas is a hack and whack Al McInnis, Kelly Chase. You see
start coming to the Games weekend visits Canada’s Maritime Provinces player.” those guys around at the rink; you’re
instead.” with the Boston Bruins. Sounds like each grandchild has going to pick something up from

Visiting from his current home near In St. Louis, he skates three times inherited parts of grandad’s talent them.”
St. Louis, Wensink, 63, was proud a week. His passion for hockey that led to 403 NHL games, 70 In 1971/72 Wensink was part

to cheer on his grandchildren, Jack remains strong, as a fan and player. goals, 138 points, and 840 penalty of the Memorial Cup-winning
Blanckenship, 7, Taylor Wensink, As an individual who famously minutes with the St. Louis Blues, Cornwall Royals team. In three
9, and Jonas Blanckenship, 9, as challenged the entire Minnesota Boston Bruins, Quebec Nordiques, seasons with the Royals he played
they competed in the junior heavy North Stars bench after one of his Colorado Rockies, and New Jersey 169 games, scored 30 goals and
weights competition. many bouts on the ice on December Devils. Known primarily for his 84, and had 562 penalty minutes,
1, 1977 (no player responded by fi sticuffs, Wensink clearly had a including 242 in 1972/73. He was
“This is great for the kids,” the way – you can find the video on scoring touch in his arsenal as his

Wensink said. “Maybe these Youtube), Wensink has a heart of gold 28 goals during the 1978/79 season drafted in the seventh round, 104th
(Glengarry Highland Games) events overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the
when it comes to his grandchildren. indicate. He also had a career-high 1973 NHL Amateur Draft. He was
aren’t bigger, but they sure have 46 points that season.
created more facilities and activities. “We live about two hours from also drafted that summer in the third
We’re all having a good time.” St. Louis (in Fredericton, Missouri). As for the pro game today, round, 28th overall, by the New York
My three grand kids are on the ice Wensink says he can’t believe how Golden Blades/Jersey Knights in the
Long trips remain the norm for the four times a week, and we don’t fast hockey has become. WHA (World Hockey Association)
former NHLer. Wensink continues Amateur Draft. Wensink was
miss many of those. Two hours both
to travel North America while “They pick up the puck behind inducted into the Glengarry Sports
ways for a one-hour practice. They

representing the Boston Bruins and the net and fire it to the far blue line. Hall of Fame in 1990.
all have their own style. Taylor is a
The puck moves faster than skating.