Johnson, Russell Phillips, coach and trainer J. A. Link, and team manager Red Hudson.
Middle row: Roxy Beaudro, Tom Hooper, Tommy Phillips, Billy McGimsie, and Joe Hall.
Front row: Si Griffis, Eddie Giroux, and Art Ross.
KENORA – It’s well known that hockey is one of Northwestern Ontario’s favourite sports. From the thousands of children who play each year, to old-timer’s hockey leagues starting up across the region, the game of hockey is engrained in the history of northerners. So, I’m extremely happy to welcome the nation to our riding, as we host the 2017 Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada.
This year’s Hockey Day events will take place in Kenora from Wednesday, February 15th to Saturday, February 18th. Events include a Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs’ hockey clinic, an NHL and Kenora Thistles alumni game, a breakfast with the Stanley Cup, as well as the Kroppy Cup Memorial Pond Hockey Tournament. On Saturday, Sportsnet will be broadcasting live out of Kenora, as Canadians tune-in to NHL hockey games being played throughout the day and evening in cities across Canada and the USA. Check out your hockey schedule for times!
As a former Kenora Thistles player myself, I can attest to the important life lessons hockey teaches you such as discipline, effort, organization and respect, to name a few. Sports have long been proven to help children learn in an environment outside of the classroom that is fun and safe.
Like the rest of Canada, Northwestern Ontario also has a rich history of hockey success. In 1907, the Kenora Thistles became the smallest community to ever win the Stanley Cup. Since then, we`ve produced numerous NHL players. In addition to talent, we`ve also produced an excellent sense of pride and sportsmanship. Maybe the best example of this is our local legend, Len (Kroppy) Kropioski. Kroppy was such a fan of hockey that he was highlighted on the jumbotron at almost every home game of the Winnipeg Jets, saluting during the national anthem. After he passed away, he was honoured by the Jets for his incredible spirit, and for his passion of hockey and country.
I also want to thank all the organizers of this event who have done a fantastic job to create an atmosphere that welcomes every age and encourages participation from all of us living in the region.
I hope you enjoy this special opportunity to celebrate the incredible game of hockey and look forward to seeing you there!
Hon. Bob Nault MP
Kenora
