Algonquin Wolves hit the road on a hockey adventure

Huntsville is known as a healthy, active community. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the active Senior’s Hockey program the Town offers. Over 200 skaters play up to three times weekly in 55+, 65+, 70+ and even 75+ age categories.

During the recent Ontario Games, held in Huntsville this past February, the 70+ hockey team, comprised of participants in the Senior Shinny program, won the tournament. One of the benefits of winning is the opportunity to compete in the National Championships planned in Winnipeg later in the year. Unfortunately, the Winnipeg Games ran into difficulties and, in their place, a tournament was planned for Calgary in early April. With a sense of competition, the 70+ Huntsville team, competing under the Algonquin Wolves banner, signed up, and the adventure began.

A few of the members of the Ontario Senior Games Association-winning team could not make the trip, so replacements were found, and the team flew out on April 8. From April 9 through April 12, the Wolves played teams from Calgary, Edmonton, Yellowhead and Saskatoon. The calibre of hockey was exceptional, and on the ice, the Huntsville squad had their hands full. The Calgary team alone had two former NHL players, and other teams featured former hockey pros and junior players.

However, with a positive outlook throughout the trip, the team members turned what could have been a challenging situation into a memorable experience. As 70+ players, most of the team had never travelled any sort of distance to play. Add to that the opportunity to play against and meet players from other provinces, and the result was the creation of some great memories.

Given the distance from home, fan support was limited, but Grandpa Jim Sproxton has two grandchildren who live in Calgary, and they were out in full force, waving signs to cheer on the Huntsville squad. One of the highlights of the trip involved every team member adding greetings and taking photos with grandchild Robbie and the signs. The smile on his face made the trip worthwhile!

How could the team go to Calgary and not get a glimpse of the majestic Rocky Mountains? “A few members of the team had never been out west, nor seen the mountains, so a road trip was planned,” said team member Rob Saunders. “A perfect day of weather led to a memorable outing to Canmore. To round out the trip, after four tiring games, what could be a better wrap-up than a visit to Calgary’s famed Saddledome to enjoy an AHL game between the Calgary and Vancouver NHL farm teams? The game was intense, but the highlight was the recognition of the Algonquin Wolves team on the scoreboard.”

All in all, it was a memorable trip, and team members took great pride in representing their community and province. In particular, special mention must go to Jacque Gagnon. Jacque had a trip planned to Florida for April. He ended up flying from Tampa to Calgary, playing the tournament, and then flying back to Tampa to finish his holidays. In a couple of years, at the next OSGA tournament, future Huntsville teams will know that winning that tourney may be a stepping stone to greater adventures on the ice and beyond.