Rick Hansen didnB次元官网网址檛 make the cut on his first attempt at cracking the Saanich Jr. Braves.
It was September of 1980 and the 16-year-old, who came up through the Saanich Minor Hockey Association system, wanted nothing else but to be a Brave. In his four-year Junior B career he twice attended Victoria Cougars camp (a team B次元官网网址渟tuffedB次元官网网址� with future NHLers) and did make the Junior A BCHL but refused to leave town when his BCHL rights were shipped to the Merritt Centennials.
HansenB次元官网网址檚 junior career did start in 1980, with the Oak Bay Flyers, and ended with three seasons in Saanich. The 54-year-old is among a group of alumni coming to FridayB次元官网网址檚 50th Anniversary Celebration game, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m. at Pearkes arena, when the Braves [8-10-1] host the Nanaimo Buccaneers (15-3-0).
B次元官网网址淲hen I was [10] I was a stick boy for the bantam rep team. It had Tracy Patterson [, who the VIJHL playoff trophy is named for], and at practices we didnB次元官网网址檛 just help out, coach told us we were doing the drills.B次元官网网址�
Back then, being a stick boy was the type of opportunity that created future junior stars, Hansen said.
B次元官网网址淸The other stick boy and I] didnB次元官网网址檛 get in the way, but there we were [tagging along at the end of most drills].B次元官网网址�
Hansen refused to accept he wasnB次元官网网址檛 junior ready when he was sent away after the Braves 1980 training camp.
B次元官网网址淚 believed it was between me and that coach,B次元官网网址� recalls Hansen. B次元官网网址淚 thought I could play in the league so I went into the draft pool and was picked up by Oak Bay.B次元官网网址�
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There was only four teams in what was known as the South Island Junior Hockey League: Juan de Fuca, Kerry Park, Saanich and Oak Bay. Some forget that the Oak Bay Flyers once filled the sleepy stands of Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 ice rink.
B次元官网网址淭he Flyers were a big thing, people came out for them, they were a good team,B次元官网网址� Hansen said. B次元官网网址淭he calibre of hockey in the late B次元官网网址�70s was awesome. I grew up watching [the Island league], if you werenB次元官网网址檛 fortunate to play in the WHL, this was the next best thing. It was tough to play in but also tough to make anything happen out there.B次元官网网址�
In Oak Bay, Hansen was coached by Bob Nicholson, the same Nicholson who later became the well-known head of Hockey Canada and is now the CEO and vice-chairman of (Edmonton) Oilers Entertainment Group. Nicholson was here to work for B.C. Amateur Hockey Association (the Saanichton-based organization), and coached the Flyers on the side.
B次元官网网址淢y first year with Oak Bay we won the league championship and hosted the Seattle All Americans for the 1981 Fred B次元官网网址楥ycloneB次元官网网址� Taylor Cup but lost,B次元官网网址� Hansen recalled. B次元官网网址淣icholson taught us so much. What a great man he was, a real inspiration. IB次元官网网址檓 not surprised at his success.B次元官网网址�
However, when Hansen didnB次元官网网址檛 see the ice time he wanted in his second year, Nicholson released him.
B次元官网网址淣icholson had a group of older UVic kids he wanted to play and I had taken a job with Canada Post, but the Braves had a new coach who took me in.B次元官网网址�
Hansen then returned to the Braves and joined with a core of players heB次元官网网址檇 grown up with, including Doug Rogers, brothers Paul and Pat Cullen, Pat Smith and Alton Davis, a future Victoria Shamrock.
B次元官网网址淭hose last two years with Saanich were awesome,B次元官网网址� Hansen said. B次元官网网址淚n 82-83 with Saanich we won the Islands and lost to Cranbrook in the provincial final.B次元官网网址�
The Braves most notable alumni are Adam Cracknell, current New York Rangers forward, and Matt Irwin, current Nashville Predators defenceman. Other grads include 2005 Braves Lee Baldwin (AHL/Europe) and Brian Nugent (ECHL), who played NCAA and were part of the illustrious 2009 RBC Cup hosting Victoria Grizzlies. The Braves also produced the Crowder brothers Paul and Tim (NCAA,/AHL/Europe), and Wade Murphy (ECHL), who won the 2012 RBC Cup with the Penticton Vees.
Youth wearing minor hockey associated jerseys to FridayB次元官网网址檚 anniversary game earn free admission to the game.
