AN EXPERIENCE FILLED WITH KINDNESS

Background of a great experience and this photo, written by Dave Brekke, ElderActive member.

In the Fall of 1999, the NHL Old Timer hockey team came to Whitehorse to play in a fundraiser against the RCMP team. Except for Tiger Williams, the entire team communicated in French. After playing a couple of games in southern Canada, Tiger had become frustrated, so he asked for an English dressing room when they came to Whitehorse. Having an available dressing room, Tiger’s request was granted.

To keep Tiger company and help meet his need to belong to the team, the late Guy La Fleur dressed with Tiger in the English dressing room. It has been such a pleasure seeing the many public tributes describing Guy’s many kind and inclusive ways. I couldn’t agree more.

Now, how I came into the highly valued picture:

The NHL team needed two more players when it came to Whitehorse. The way they acquired their two players was through interested people writing stories of why a certain player should be on the team. Irene, my lovely wife, wrote a story about how I had started an ‘Old Timers Hockey School’. There were trials and tribulations including some resistance, ie. “You can’t teach ‘old dogs’ new tricks”.

However, the school happened and was considered very successful. A number of ‘old dogs’ improved their games and had fun doing it. Jay Glass, our competent volunteer coach, was very forceful and encouraging at the same time. Dave Ecker, my highly appreciated team captain, helped guide me and primarily made it happen.

Before the NHL Old Timer hockey game started, they told me not to backcheck, just be in front of the net so you can score. Not used to scoring, I did score. Each time I scored, I skated around the rink to music carrying my grandson, David Grove, who was about two.

My extreme thanks to the late Chris Guichon who took the picture. Chris came to check on how the English dressing room was doing and said: “Dave, you have to get a picture of this”.

Here it is again: