Roland Vandell- Brimsek's first defenseman

Well maybe Roland Vandell wasn't the first player to play defense in front of Frank Brimsek, but she sure was close. Vandell was there long before Boston Bruins like Eddie Shore or Jack Crawford. Vandell was a defensman for Saint Cloud State (St. Cloud Teacher's College) in 1933. Even prior to their careers in college, Vandell and Brimsek shared membership on various school hockey teams in and around Eveleth, Minnesota.
Vandell turned to officiating to stay involved with the game. He had the honor and pleasure of officiating in 15 of the first 16 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournaments. Furthermore, Vandell spent an additional 20 years officiating college hockey.
(Photo Frank Brimsek and Roland Vandell c. 1933)

Back to the Farm for Jim Lorette

Jim Lorette is from Fertile, Saskatewan. After a long professional hockey career in the Eastern Hockey League he is back in Fertile. Lorette began his EHL career in 1964 with the Johnstown Jets. The 210 pound defenseman never had a problem picking up a few penalty minutes. He also registered 53 and 43 point seasons. Eastern League stops included Jacksonville Rockets, Salem Rebels, New Jersey Devils and the Roanoke Valley Rebels.
When the hockey career ended in 1971-72, Lorette returned to Fertile to occasionally play and coach. Today, Lorette has a 1200 acre grain farm and run a herd of 35-40 beef cows.

Player and Coach - Russ Welch

Russ Welch scored 22 goals and 22 assists as a FRESHMAN at Michigan State during the 1976-77 season. It was the start to one of the greatest careers in Spartan history. As a Senior, Welch picked up another 60 points. In between his Freshman and Senior years were another two solid seasons that produced another 86 points.
A high school star at Hastings High School in Minnesota, Welch turned to junior hockey with the St. Paul Vulcans. Welch was the leading junior scorer and All-American his final year in St. Paul.
So it was off to pro hockey? No, not for Russ Welch. First it was a stint as Assistant Coach to Doug Woog at South St. Paul High and then Head Coach for 10 season. From South St. Paul, Welch went home to Hastings and has been Head Coach ever since. Come early March, you usually can find Welch coaching in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament.

1955 World Champion Jim Fairburn

Regina Capitals- 1947-48, San Francisco Shamrocks 1948-49, Minneapolis Millers 1948-49, back to the Shamrocks for 1949-50. Portland Eagles 1950-51, Seattle Ironmen 1951-52, Victoria Cougars 1952-53, New Westminster Royals 1953-54. Eight teams in seven years. Thirty goal seasons were the norm for Mr. Fairburn. Jim Fairburn made a living playing hockey on the west coast of the United States and Canada.
In 1954-55 Fairburn signed on with Grant Warwick and the Penticton Vees. Their job - take back the World Championship from the Soviet Union. The dreaded Soviets won their first ever World Championships over a Senior 'B' Canadian squad in 1954.
The Vees were successful in their quest, providing the hightlight of Fairburn's career. At last report, Fairburn remained in the town that made him famous- Penticton.

Muskegon's Hometown Hero Joe Kastelic

"Muskegon, you've given me so much more than I gave you. You've given me a home, my wife, my son, my three grandchildren and you gave me tonight. Thank you." - Joe Kastelic from his induction to the Muskegon Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Kastelic spent 15 seasons in the International Hockey League scoring goals in bunches for the Fort Wayne Komets and Louisville Rebels and Troy Bruins. However, it was in Muskegon where Kastelic made the biggest mark. Kastelic played for both the Muskegon Zephyrs and the Muskegon Mohawks. Kastelic retired in 1968, leaving as the IHL's all-time leading goal scorer (551) and fourth in assists (583).
Originally from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Kastelic now calls Muskegon home.
Check out the Muskegon Sports Hall of Fame

1948 Olympic Captain George Mara

George Mara was one of a couple civilians on the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Flyers who brought gold home to Canada in the 1948 Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Mara was added to the team just 10 days before the team set sail for Europe. At the time Mara was an agent with George E. Mara Manufacturers of Toronto. Canada rolled to the Gold- outscoring their opponents 69-5. In eight games Mara tallied 17 goals, 9 assists for 26 points- second only to Wally Halder.
Mara returned to the Toronto area after the Olympics. There were contract offers from the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers - but he decided against then.
Mara receives numerous autograph requests every year, but most of them originate from Europe - home of his greatest achievement as a player. Olympic Gold.
Read more about Mara at: www.airforce.ca/hockethistory.pdf

Nelson Maple Leafs Oldest - 'Bus" Algar

Lloyd "Bus" Algar may very well be the oldest living Nelson Maple Leafs player. Or perhaps it could be Leo Attwell who at last report was living in Vancouver. Nobody is really sure. Algar is quickly approaching his 89th birthday in his hometown of Nelson, British Columbia.
In the late 1930's Algar was a key member of the talented Olds Elks Junior Hockey Club which included Mayer Flett and Eddie Shamlock. Algar moved to senior hockey with the Nelson Maple Leafs and played there until the league disbanded due to the war. The Maple Leafs faced-off against the likes of the Trail Smoke Eaters and Kimberley Dynamiters.
In early 1942, Algar joined the Canadian Army and played for both civilian and military hockey clubs. The talented forward pulled down six bucks a month (plus bonuses) to play for a Victoria-based team. Soon Algar was sent overseas to serve out his military career. Following the Armistice, Algar's focus turned to education earning a university degree.

Canada's Great Export - Les Anning

Born in Rimouski, Quebec, Les Anning was a star junior player and spent some time in senior hockey leagues in Montreal and Shawinigan Falls in his native province. Take a trip across the pond and the name Les Anning is legendary. Anning scored goals in bunches for Earl's Court Rangers, Wembley Monarchs and Wembley Lions while playing in England. Anning also spent some time in Scotland with the Ayr Raiders. Nicknamed the "Rimouski Rocket", Anning also travelled across Europe playing in Switzerland and Sweden.
Now living outside Barrie, Ontario, Anning was an All-Star wherever he played and more importantly taught the Canadian Game of hockey to those willing to learn in Europe.