|
Sports: Mr. Hockey honoured posthumously
|
Howard Walker, left, was the captain of the High Prairie Legionnaires Midgets in 1974-75 when Fred Spendiff was involved. Fred’s widow, Arline Spendiff, accepts the jersey from Walker. Accompanying Spendiff is her granddaughter, Jordan Elko. Standing behind Spendiff is Lindsay Pratt, who introduced the guests during the ceremony.
|
|
The High Prairie Minor Hockey Association has honoured Fred Spendiff aka “Mr. Hockey” with his own banner. Ryan Matthews, captain of the Legionnaires, unveiled the banner at the ceremony.
|
|
Fred Spendiff was one of the most well-respected men in High Prairie who gave countless hours of volunteer time to better the lives of High Prairie’s youth.
|
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
The late Fred Spendiff has been honoured with a jersey and a banner for his many years of dedication to the sport of hockey in High Prairie.
His wife, Arline Spendiff, received the jersey during a ceremony in the Sports Palace Dec. 18.
“It’s a great honour,” she says, adding the eulogy at her husband’s memorial service Nov. 10 best sums him up as a person.
Pat Olansky, the president of the High Prairie Minor Hockey Association, praised “Mr. Hockey.”
“For about 30 years of his life, Fred volunteered his time to hockey in High Prairie, so High Prairie Minor Hockey and the Legionnaires Midget team felt it appropriate to honour Fred for his untiring dedication to youth and the association,” says Olansky.
“Fred’s hockey involvement began in the mid 1950’s. He managed the Regals, the Junior team and lastly the Midget team until about 1985. As a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Fred was the man responsible for obtaining the Legionnaire sponsorship for the Midget A team. Legionnaire players are proud to wear this jersey and tonight we remind them of its significance.”
During the ceremony, all the High Prairie minor hockey teams lined the rink and wore the red Jersey he favoured.
Spendiff was generous, buying meals for the players and loading his car with as many players and hockey bags as he could. He also paid for buses and equipment.
“His priceless contributions, however, were the life lessons and values he demonstrated,” she continued.
“He treated his players like they were his own children. Each had to present their report cards to him and ice time was governed accordingly. He had immense pride in his players. He taught the boys the importance of presenting a respectable image to the public and taught them how to tie a tie. He encouraged them to be confident, to believe in themselves and their abilities and to always do their best.”
Spendiff’s excitement during a game was entertaining to the players and fans alike. His players were often pushed onto the ice with a little too much enthusiasm for their next shift, she added.
Olansky also called him “one of a kind,” as he was a role model and a positive force without even realizing the impact he had on so many young men. To further honour “Mr. Hockey,” all the High Prairie minor hockey jerseys now bear a commemorative patch with his initials.
After Olansky’s presentation, Howard Walker, the Legionnaires’ captain for the 1974/75 season, presented a jersey to Arline Spendiff on behalf of the past and current teams.
Then Ryan Matthews, captain of the Legionnaires, unveiled the “Mr. Hockey” banner. The ceremony concluded with the team shaking hands with Arline Spendiff.
< Previous
Home
Next >
|
