The following are comments that have been received from participants in the Goderich Lions Young Canada Week Tournament.
(March 22, 2015)
To the YOUNG CANADA WEEK Committee
I was the captain of Ted's Pals 1955 Goderich Dominion of Canada Champions. I returned in the Mid 70’s and we won the consolation division with my son Eric. We will never forget the message on the gondola in the arena “When the one great scorer....” it is a motto in sports to live by and I have tried. Terry Clancy (son of King Clancy) was my defensive partner in 1955. My grandmother was from Listowel, Ont. and also was very involved with supporting and sponsoring team such as Future Aces with Herb Carnegie. Ted’s Pals also had Toronto’s first all Negro line. Mr. Carnegie’s son was on that line. My father Jack Abel and Herb Carnegie were very close. My father went of to field several teams up to Junior A. Sadly my Dad passed very early in life but thoroughly enjoyed his time developing young men. There is still in existence The George Chamandy – Jack Abel Trophy that is annually present by the Greater MTHL in Toronto for the person or organization doing the most for hockey.
Family history includes Sid Abel (cousin), Scotty Bowman (cousin from my grandmother Bowman’s side) and Uncle Fred (Fred Cyclone Taylor). I congratulate Goderich Lions for keeping this long tradition alive with the emphasis on the young men who will have these memories forever. I have also given back to the community by starting my coaching with Toronto’s Little THL and following with being President of The Agincourt Civitan Hockey Association and Toronto Olympics Hockey League run out St. Michael’s Arena in co-ordination of the Church and St. Michael’s Hockey program.
Thank you for being a great influence in my life and keep up the great work.
Ted Abel
Scarborough, Ont.
Bruce and Gary,
On behalf of the New Hamburg Huskies I want to thank both of you for the opportunity to participate in the Goderich Lions Young Canada Week Pee Wee tournament this week. As you know we were not originally planning on coming, but we are glad that you contacted us! The boys that were able to make it had a great time! The entire tournament was a first-class event, from the overall organization and scheduling, pins and buttons for the participants, player of the game awards, chuck-a-puck, trophies, medals and banners for all the finalists, and perhaps our favorite part - the awesome home cooked meals! It was also a treat to take in a small part of your overall Hockeyville experience. I looked it up today and saw that you were not moving on to the top 5 - but as we all know no one can really measure the importance of hockey to a community or how much a community loves the game. From what we saw this week your Lions Group and minor hockey teams certainly embody everything Hockeyville is about - whether other people realize it or not.
Thanks again for the opportunity to be part of your terrific tournament. Congratulations on a great week.
Jeff Gerber
Coach - New Hamburg Huskies (March 18, 2012)
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Peninsula Wild (Lion's Head/Wiarton) Peewee Girls Hockey Team: I just wanted to send a note to say how much our peewee girls' team enjoyed The Young Canada Hockey Week tournament. I am amazed at the dedication of your volunteers! You ran a great tournament again this year and I wanted to let you know that your hard work and dedication is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Darlene Myles, Manger. (Received by email March 26, 2010)
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Lambeth Lancers Pee Wee team. On behalf of the Lambeth Lancers, I'd like to thank you very much for the tournament. It was very well organized and a lot of fun for the boys - not to mention the food we were given with our meal tickets! Once again, thanks for everything!
Marci Walker (Received by email March 11, 2008)
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Milton Winterhawks Pee Wee team. This was the first time that I had brought a team to your tournament and the boys had a great time. More and more, I find the tournaments we go to are nothing but cash grabs for hockey associations, offering less and less for the kids. Your tournament is truly about the kids. I would like to thank all of the Lions Club members and volunteers who made your tournament a success. I will definitely spread the word about next year's event and encourage teams to attend.
Thanks,
Dale Waller, Coach
Milton Winterhawks Peewee (Received by email March 20, 2006)
Young Canada Week "doesn't get any better than that!"
To the editor (Goderich Signal Star, March 22, 2006); Last week our Stratford Warrior Minor Peewee Team had the privilege of participating in the Young Canada Week hockey tournament, and what a week it was. It all began with the outstanding effort of the Lion's Club of Goderich who sponsored this event. Everything was well organized, not to mention their patience and support for all the young boys participating.
The facility was very accommodating, as we had quite a few hours between games, but the time was filled with swimming, volleyball and basketball and we can all relate to how difficult it is to keep this many young boys occupied!
We did take in restaurants who also were very accommodating to our needs on such short notice. Then there was the bowling lanes. Who would have thought you could fit that many kids in a bowling alley, but they did it! Unfortunately I was having car trouble, so I called the Ford Dealership in your town. Wow, what service they provided. I left my car between games, Donna drove me back to the arena, they fixed my car, and picked me up again, it doesn't get any better than that!
Just before the last game the Lion's Club had Chuck-a-Puck for the kids. Well just to top off this wonderful week my son happened to be the lucky winner and received a bike.
So for all this, we thank you for making our first visit to the Young Canada Week Tournament a great memory.
Barb Young-Schultz, Tanner Young-Schultz and the rest of the Stratford Warrior Minor Peewee Team