A pair of local hockey players has returned from their adventure in Burlington as part of a cup-winning team.
David Mallette, 84, and John Snowden, 81, who frequent the shinny games at the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville, were solid contributors to the Team Canada 80-plus team retaining the Canada 150 Cup this year.
Team Canada won all four of their games, including three shutouts, with Mallette scoring twice and adding six assists, and adding four assists in the tournament.
Held in Burlington from October 21 to 24, the tournament featured two teams from each side of the border.
In the first three years, it was Team Canada versus Team USA in a two-day event for the cup. This year, they added two more teams: two from Canada, the national team and the Senior Skatesmen from Ottawa, along with two teams from the U.S.
To be eligible for Team Canada, a player must already be a member of the 80-plus Hockey Hall of Fame.
For that to happen, a player of 80-plus years in age must be an active participant (or organizer) in hockey, be nominated, receive acknowledgment of the candidate’s sound character and good sportsmanship, and meet other similar requirements.
Prior to leaving for the tournament, Mallette and Snowden chatted with the Doppler. See that article here.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
John Snowden: Way to go man! We were neighbors for a number of years. Back and forth to school at #6 Brunel. Then you family grew and you were gone. I wonder how we all managed to get by in houses that would now likely be considered ‘granny flats’? But hey! we did.
There must be a good number of us can remember walking over to the old arena to watch hockey games. Of some of the memorable series various Huntsville teams had with St. Mary’s ? Good stuff. And then I believe I heard or read that you eventually played for the opposition! Good reason I imagine.
Never could skate so no hockey for me. Lacrosse for sure but not an all-star. Loved both games anyway.
Congratulations for the accomplishment and thanks for that competitive edge. Some great entertainment.