MANITOBA HOCKEY HERITAGE DAY VETERANS LUNCHEON
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame celebrated the 2023 Manitoba Hockey Heritage Day with a special luncheon inducting three Veteran Players, a Builder and two teams.
December 20th has been designated by the Province of Manitoba as Manitoba Hockey Heritage Day. It was on this day in 1890 that the first organized hockey match in Western Canada was played at Austin's Winnipeg Street Railway Rink on the Assiniboine River. The two teams competing were the Winnipeg Victorias and the Winnipegs hockey clubs.
The Veterans Induction was created to acknowledge Individuals and teams that have been out of hockey for over 50 years and were missed through the regular nomination process which comes from the public. Today's digital research technologies have allowed our researchers to dig deep into the past to find deserving Honourees.
"To qualify as veterans, candidates must have been away from the game for 50 years or more," Hall of Fame President Jordy Douglas said. "A committee with knowledge of the history of hockey in our province researched candidates, who might have been missed through the traditional nomination procedure. "
Douglas said that an independent selection committee made the final decision on the Veterans nominations as it does with all other nominations. The HOF honours qualified candidates on a bi-annual basis with the next major induction scheduled for the Fall of 2024. Nominations are welcomed from the public.
Over 100 guests attended the luncheon with family members coming from as far away as Britain to see Manitoba's hockey heritage on display. Glen Simard, Minister of Sport, Culture & Heritage brought greetings from the Province of Manitoba. The Minister having a special connection with three of the inductees coming from Brandon where he is the MLA for Brandon East.
This year's Veterans selections are;
PLAYERS
Charles Tobin
Born in Winnipeg in 1885, Charles Tobin played at home until 1910/11. The majority of his career was in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) where the two-time all-star played for teams that challenged for the Stanley Cup on three occasions.
Sonny Rost
Sonny Rost played midget for St. Paul's College and junior for the Kenora Thistles before heading to England in 1934 where he played more than 1,000 games over three decades. The defenseman was a fan favourite in London where his image was plastered over billboards in Piccadilly Circus advertising Gillette razor blades. He was inducted into the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 1955.
Paul Meger
Paul Meger grew up and played in Selkirk before moving East to play junior for the Barrie Flyers. His pro career ran from 1949/50 until 1954/55 primarily with the Montreal Canadiens with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 1952/53. He died in 2019 at age 90.
BUILDER
George Tackaberry
George Tackaberry, had apprenticed as a shoemaker and made his first pair skates for future Hockey Hall-of-Famer Joe Hall in 1904 when he was playing in Brandon. He soon had orders for his "Tack" skates. The rights to the name and design later were acquired by CCM. Many hockey players were proud to wear a pair of Pros and Tacks.
TEAMS
1956/57 Brandon Regals
The 1956/57 Brandon Regals had a strong Manitoba component. Former New York Ranger Don (Bones) Raleigh was the playing coach in the city where he had played a season of junior hockey. Winnipeg's Ray Manson was the leading scorer and Bob Chrystal, who had been Raleigh's teammate on the Rangers, was a top defenseman. Both had played junior in Brandon. Elliot Chorley was another top scorer and his younger brother Bob and Flin Flon's Lyle Willey, who had been teammates on the junior Flin Flon Bombers, were forwards.
TEAMS
1959/60 - 1963/64 Brandon Wheat Kings
In the five seasons for which the team is being honoured, the junior Brandon Wheat Kings finished in first place in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League regular season and went on to win the league championship every time except for 1960/61 when the Winnipeg Rangers beat them in the final.