On Sat., Nov. 2, people gathered at the Sam Ault arena and the Joel Steele Community Centre in Winchester, and oh, how we enjoyed the show that they put on. The show, of course, was the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) Hockey game benefiting the WDMH Foundation. Seen above are Marion Carkner (centre) made the ceremonial puck drop between Wendel Clark (left) and Chris Neil (right) while other dignitaries looked on. See page 7 for the full story. Tinkess Photo

WINCHESTER – It doesn’t matter how young we are, or how old we become, for most of our life there will be people who, because of superior ability or personality, or a combination of both, that we hold in high regard. Call them heroes, roll models, or even all-stars, they embody many of the characteristics that we value.

On Sat., Nov. 2, eight of these special people gathered at the Sam Ault arena and the Joel Steele Community Centre in Winchester, and oh, how we enjoyed the show that they put on.

The show, of course, was the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) Hockey game benefiting the WDMH Foundation.

Out of necessity, due to contractual obligations, players involved in fundraising of this type are retired, but it doesn’t matter, because when they step onto the ice, they become what we remember them being. Wendel Clark, the former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs still appeared intimidating cruising down the wing, taking a pass from teammate Todd Gill, who, while a bit slower is still as smooth a skater as he ever was.

Jesse Winchester, with that baby face that makes it appear that he could/should still be playing still displays that drive and defensive responsibility that helped him make a career in the NHL. Chris Neil, while not dropping the gloves as he did for so many seasons as an Ottawa Senator now wearing that impish smile that drove opponents wild. Geraldine Heaney, navigating in and out of traffic with the charisma that only comes from winning Olympic gold.

Mike Krushelnyski with three Stanley Cup rings, Shean Donovan, still with speed to burn, Jason York, laughing like a 10-year-old when he got tangled-up with Winchester and they slid along the ice as so many of us did, playing on the rink, dreaming of what we would love, some day to become.

When events of this nature come to town, we come out to see, and in some cases even to participate, as some did for the opportunity to step onto the ice with these players who are idolized by so many. It is a chance for a dream to come true, if only for a moment in time. The memory it creates, however, will last for ever.

There are, of course, so many others who make an event like this a success.

  • Hockey trivia guru Liam Maguire who acted as M/C and collected (or remembered) the stats used in introducing the players.
  • Justine Plummer of the WDMH Foundation, who, with her team organized the event.
  • Marion Carkner, hockey mom to former NHL’er Terry Carkner and a member of a hockey family who dropped the puck for the ceremonial face-off between Wendel Clark and Chris Neil.
  • JoAnne Laurin, who sang the National Anthem
  • Everyone else, who contributed in any way, from the sponsors and donors, and especially to the fans who brought their children and grandchildren so they could see, in the flesh, someone who their elders thought was special. All sharing in the common goal of helping to raise funds for the important part of this community that we hope we never need, but realistically understand that probably some day we will.

Dreams and memories are opposite ends of a spectrum that run through all our lives, and when we can harness the good energy they create to do good, we all benefit.

Here’s to hoping that we get to do it all again sometime soon.