Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Gary Davidge: Hockey's Top Accountant


A bio from the 1962 Moose Jaw Canucks junior programs begins to outline the career of Gary Davidge. "One of the best all-around hockey players in the league is Gary Davidge. Besides scoring goals he spends a great deal of time as a penalty killer. Last year the tall left winger scored 24 goals and 18 assists. He's starting his fourth and final year with the Canucks. Besides hockey, he works with R. L. Bamford and Company as an accountant. (Coach) Prystai is looking forward to a big year for Gary."
From the junior ranks, Davidge played senior hockey for the Moose Jaw Pla-Mors, Calgary Spurs and Edmonton Nuggets through 1968.
The Calgary resident coached several community in Edmonton and played oldtimers hockey until he was 48 years old. His other hockey involvement consisted of organizing an investment whereby he purchased 117 season tickets when the Vancouver Canucks entered the NHL. The tickets were used to operate charter plane trips from Calgary and Edmonton to attend NHL hockey in Vancouver.
From 1969 to 1993 Davidge was a Chartered Accountant in a variety of partnerships in Edmonton.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Hal Spellisay: Regina's College Pipeline


Hal Spellisay was on the front end of the Regina, Saskatchewan to U.S. College pipeline. Over 50 years ago, Spellisay took the rare leap from Western Canada to U.S. College. Spellisay landed in Colorado Springs as a member of the Colorado College Tigers.
Prior to the States, Spellesay played for the Regina Commandos and then junior hockey with the famous Notre Dame College Greyhounds of Wilcox, Sask.
By the late 1950's the Regina pipeline feed quality hockey players mainly to the University of Michigan and the University of Denver. Players like Red Berenson, Jerry Kolb, Gordon Wilkie, Gary Butler, Joe Lunghamer attended Michigan. Grant Munro, Marty Howe and Jerry Walker all played for the Pioneers after playing junior for the Regina Patricias.
Spellisay played very little hockey after leaving Colorado College. He played a few games in a commercial league in Saskatoon. After hockey, time was just spent skating for pleasure.
At last report, Spellisay was retired and living in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Maritime Star "Rocky" Sullivan


Hockey in the Maritimes in the 1940's and 1950's was wildly popular. Crowds in cities like Hailfax, Saint John, Moncton and Fredricton rivalled the crowds seen today at American Hockey League games.
Leading the way for Halifax was centerman Allan "Rocky" Sullivan. Starting off with the Dartmouth Junior Rough Riders in 1937, Sullivan was off to a career doing one thing better than most- scoring goals.
Sullivan spent 2 1/2 seasons overseas during World War II and returned to Nova Scotia to play for the Haifax Crescents. By the 1946/7 season Sullivan had firmly established himself as one of the top scorers in the Maritimes "Big 4 League." During 1947/48's 48 game schedule, Sullivan led the Crescents with 36 goals and 74 points to finish fourth in the league in scoring.
Sullivan eventually moved on to the St. Mary's senior team. Next Sullivan became a player coach for the Maritime Intermediate Champions Lunenburg Falcons.
Sullivan turned down opportunities to play in France but remained in Canada to take care of his growing family.
Today, the 86 Year old Sullivan remains in Halifax and is in very good health.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Bill Colpitts and the Fighting Sioux


Offensive skills were never in short supply for Minnesota resident Bill Colpits. That offensive skill started in Winnipeg, Manitoba and continued through a successful junior and college career. Colpittsplayed youth hockey in Winnipeg where he was teammates with University of Denver All-American Bill Masterton. During the 1967=68 season masterton was killed as a result of an on ice injury.
Colpitts played junior with the Winnipeg Monarchs and the St. Boniface Canadiens. The high point of his junior career was playing in the Western Canada Championships against the Red Berneson led Regina Pats.
Due to limitations in size and skating ability Colpitts figured the pro games wasn't an option. Colpitts made the decision to attend the University of North Dakota and turned in a very successful career for the Fighting Sioux.
The years after hockey were spent as a teacher and a high school hockey coach.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Hershey Bears Great Roger DeJordy


A great, great scorer while wearing the Chocolate and Black of the Bears. DeJordy played in Central Pennsylvania from 1962 to 1970. Although he never lead the Bears in single season scoring, the Quebec native ranks 5th all-time in goals with 222 and 7th overall with 448 points while with the Bears.
At last contact, Dejordy was living in Edmonton and working part-time at Edmonton Northlands Race Track. Prior to the track, DeJordy took an early retirement from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology where he managed the ice arena for 27 years.
One of DeJordy's greatest memories in hockey was the Calder Cup Championship won with the Bears in 1969.