Submitted by: Henry Barkowski
Back: Merv Leslie, Dennis Kalynuk, Stephen Natyna, Glenn Nichiporuk, Marc Kunjumpa, Carl Giesbrecht, Steve “Slapshot” Hanson, James Waldner, Henry Barkowski, Terry Fullerton, Randy Mateika
Front: Steve Windsor, David Eggie, Eldon Hart, Jarret Gingras, Blair Mosiondz, Faron Genaille, Lyle Eggie
Missing: Faron Cook, Reg Ellingson, Rod Ellingson. Kendal Johnson, Pat Morden, Mark Munro, Sheldon Nunn, Doug Sagert
Established in 2011 as Minitonas 50 Plus Hockey, by Dennis Kalynuk the group wound up its 14th season on March 11. Starting in November, and playing Monday nignts in the Minitonas Arena, they played 19 games. To comply with Hockey Manitoba, Hockey Canada and IIHF protocol, the group assumed the U80 designation a few years ago. For each session, red or black marbles are drawn to determine team composition, resulting in everyone playing with or against each other throughout the season. There were 23 regular members with an average attendace of 18 making for a robust game each time.
The Kalynuk Kup honours founder Dennis Kalynuk and represents the spirit of the group, characterized by sportsmanship and fellowship.
After rumours all year that hockey celebrity and movie star “Slapshot” Hanson, formerly of the Charleston Chiefs, might show, we were pleasantly surprised by his appearance at the Finale. Turns out he had conducted an ancestry search and was curious about possibly having relatives in the valley.
Pictured right: Slapshot with Arena manager Blaine Hart
The evening and season concluded with a genorous and sumptious supply of Kneaden’s Pizza and the usual time of good fellowship.
We enjoyed excellent fast ice and a very clean facility thanks to the dedicated efforts of Blaine and Judy Hart..
Kolton Leslie was our Referee In Chief doing hiscustomary fine officiating, allowing the boys to play the game without whistle interruptions.
As usual, spectators enjoyed free admissionto all game including the Finale.