Society for International Hockey Research

SIHR 2003 Fall Meeting in Burlington
Meeting said to be the best organized SIHR event to date
TO THOSE WHO MISSED AND TO THOSE WHO ENJOYED THE SIHR FALL CONFERENCE IN BURLINGTON, ONTARIO --
(Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003):

When a group meets at a Police Station (Halton Division 30) and is warmly welcomed by a former Anglican Bishop-- John Bothwell, father of St. Louis Blues' veteran Tim Bothwell, now of Calgary) and given a blessing from "The Father, The Son and The Holy Goal Post," then you know the participants (and the event) had to be good!

Thanks to a couple of Burlington Burties, veteran news hounds Larry Robertson and Denis Gibbons, backed by secretary and legal beagle Len Kotylo, the Saturday session had a little of everything:
a. An early start and a full business session;
b. Ample time for presentation of papers, and
c. a top guest--the convivial and informative Gaye Stewart of Burlington.

SIHR President Ernie Fitzsimmons (right) presenting a photo collage of his career to special guest Gaye Stewart
This genial octogenarian, who played 502 games in the NHL, made three all-star teams, compiled 344 points with Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, N.Y. Rangers and Montreal and never drew over $10,000 a year in salary, spent four hours reminiscing, kibitzing and answering questions. He coached in the AHL and officiated in the NHL and admitted he learned more about the game as a referee. "(In those days) lots of guys skated with one foot in the NHL and one foot in the AHL." (Await Denis's complete report in the next Newsletter).

Guest artist Daniel Parry discussing the portrait he drew of Felix "The Cat" Potvin
Socializing was also done on Friday night at a free wheeling OHA Senior AAA game at nearby Dundas, where the short- handed Real McCoys, winners of two Ontario championships, fell to the Aylmer Blues (8-6). It was great to hear the sh-h-h-h of the blades, the schwack of the stick on puck, the crack of fists on visors and the verbal niceties exchanged by players in action. All performed on a tight 188 by 78 foot ice surface, where "roll the tire" is an intermission feature.
After the game in the lounge of the rebuilt 1950's arena, the SIHR delegates met Dundas president Don Robertson and mingled and posed for pictures with the executive--the guys that met a $65,000 guarantee and held a very successful Allan Cup--Canadian senior championships--tourney in the Hamilton suburb last Spring. The dozen visitors went home with programs featuring the Allan Cup on the cover--all for the bargain price of one buck!
 

The formal and informal presentations of research papers were a multi-media variety, including overhead projector, slides and videos of old newsreels--one from the 1942 Stanley Cup playoffs--provided by film collector Paul Patskou and withcomments from Gaye.
1. Host Larry Robertson gave us a little history lesson on early Burlington ice action and provided an outline of the unique family-operated Burlington (Junior C) Cougars.
2, Bob Duff updated us on the perils of checking NHL scoring stats, prior to official scorers being appointed in 1926 and appealed for more volunteers.
3. Gene Willis, whose main interests are Rocket Richard and the California Seals, pulled a switch and gave us a warm-hearted and comprehensive look at small town minor hockey in Ontario--the 1953 Midget C championship Bracebridge Kin Kids. Besides preparing a history of this unique team--(no major penalties)--he compiled a valuable pictorial album and took keynote speaker/nonagenarian Jack Christie (Mr. Minor Hockey) to the 50th anniversary banquet.
4. New member George Fosty of New York, who did a world-wide search on hockey, garnered 6,000 citations and produced a "rough-edge time line" spoke extemporaneously. The former Kamloops, B.C. junior coach dared to enter "the den of the lion" and defended his ambitious 5,000 year history of the field and ice game, Splendid Is The Sun. He duelled verbally with Ed Grenda and yours truly and came out unbowed. "This is a work in progress,"" he said. "What is shoddy (research) today is cutting age tomorrow."

Meeting host and organizer Larry Robertson addressing the group

5. Our founding president gave an illustrated talk on the dazzling, one-eyed centreman Joseph Francis (Jo-Jo) Graboski, who starred on three senior championship teams in England, United States and Canada prior to and during the Second World War.
6. Most fascinating session was a 58-minute presentation by superb hockey artist Daniel Parry of nearby Grimsby. He displayed more than a baker's dozen of his art--from Wayne Gretzky, The Rocket and the Esposito brothers to Team Canada '72. They showed his great care for detail ("People like to find mistakes") and his creative talent in capturing the essence of the game. It's a booming business with paintings, prints and posters going for thousands of dollars. (I learned that "limited edition" can mean anywhere from 250 to 3,500 copies. However, don't expect to find a high-priced Parry masterpiece at a bargain price. He has scruples!)

Eugene Willis making a presentation about minor hockey in Bracebridge
A cornucopia of hockey books, donated by Bob Duff, Brian McFarlane and George Fosty, resulted in a draw that sent home most of the 29 people present with special reading material. Eighty-four year-old Lloyd Penwarden picked up Hockeytown, USA, the 75th Anniversary History of the Detroit Red Wings, a book he was seeking. The $5 draw fee subsidized the $20 registration charge that provided two great deluxe buffet, including baron of beef. No beefs on the food--just praise!
In fact the only negative comments I heard, were:
a. the lack of central mee-and-greet place on Friday night and
b. detailed maps directing members to the Dundas Arena in Hamilton. (Two drivers got lost but missed only two minutes of the game).
Three American members, Roger Godin and Don MacEachern, borth of Minnesota and George Fosty from The Big Apple were in attendance and vied with The Fitzsimmons of Fredericton, New Brunswick, for the mythical prize for coming the longest distance. A medal should go to Marlene Fitzsimmons for handling the registrations and generally keeping things moving at the back of the hall. We were graced by the presence of three other ladies, Anne Kitchen, Lesley Willis and Theresa Colle. Cheers!
Honourary President Brian McFarlane announced that his museum will relocate in a new 3,500 square foot addition to the Bowmanville (Clarington) Arena. With Bill Humber in the same town, there is a good prospect for a future meeting there. Ditto in Georgetown, Ont., where Bryan Lewis, former NHL official is supervisor of referees and spokesman for the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Council.
We missed three regular: Executive Vice President Glen Goodhand, VP U.S. East Don O'Hanley and Lefty Reid. (Hope all are well).. And wouldn't it be great if authors Don Reddick, Andrew Podnieks and Frank Cosentino could clear their schedules to appear at a future meeting. Lloyd Davis is keen to participate in a Perils of Publishing panel.
And finally SIHR was big news in the Burlington area: The Hamilton Spectator reported on its Nov. 1 front page--Real hockey fans never stop studying--International society gathers for a gab, and quoted our indomitable Newsletter Editor Denis Gibbons: "I consider us (SIHR) the Hockey Hall of Fame. They have the pictures and the plaques of the honoured members, but we have the important stuff."
Yours respectfully,
The Scribbler
OF SPECIAL INTEREST was the four-page report on the SIHR Website prepared by James Milks, and circulated at the meeting. www.sihrhockey.org has been updated and expanded with a sharp new logo by Allen Ford. The sections include a home page, secondary pages on membership, Journal and About Us--searching and statistics. "A small group of individuals have been working hard to enter complete statistical and vital records for pre-expansion players," he reported. "A very special thank you should go out to Joseph Nieforth, Charlie Roth and Ernie Fitzsimmons. (See Denis's next Newsletter for complete details).
" This site, wrote James, "will eventually be expanded to handle mass e-mailing to the membership by the executive, reports on on usage and interests and more," said James. "Suggestions are always appreciated."

Founding President Bill Fitsell giving a paper on the career of Joseph "Jo-Jo" Grabowski