By Jon Zacks
Only a short list of players will take to the ice for the Senior Flyers, in the Allan Cup Championship this April.
But, the team is hoping to share the event with players from its entire 51-year history, with a Flyers Alumni Recognition Night.
Taking place on Tuesday April 20th, the night will be one in a series of events paying tribute to those who have made a difference in the community. Director of the ‘Hometown Heroes’ program, Dave Burridge, says the event on the 20th will focus on former Flyers for their contributions.
For Burridge, the night is part of capturing the excitement of Senior Hockey, and celebrating what has come before. “The Flyers have been here a long time” he says. “You can go on the web and see Jim Hughson talking about the most competitive games that he watched. It’s just a great video, where he’s talking about Dawson Creek and the Flyers playing.” Burridge says the Flyers have played an important role in growing the game, and giving locals a place to play. He also points to a decline in senior hockey nationwide as a reason to keep people excited about the game. “I would sure like to see this Allan Cup kick it off to go further. Not to be an end point, but another beginning.”
Burridge doesn’t want to say too much about what will happen that night, for fear of ruining the surprise. But he says it will be a roughly 15 minute presentation before that night’s (Flyers vs. Clarenville) game.
Burridge is eager to speak to any former Flyers out there, and he invites them to get in touch with him, at dburridge@shaw.ca, or by calling (250) 261-4918.
With half a century worth of rosters to work through, Burridge knows he’s got his work cut out for him. “I have a list of about 220” he laughs, “and I think there are 30 or 40 that I’m missing.”
