The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League added four to its Hall of Fame, all with a tie to the Yorkton Terriers who hosted this year's induction ceremony. GeneKrepakevichwas among the inductees going in as a builder aftermore than 40-years involvement with the Junior Terriers and their predecessor Senior hockey team.
Krepakevich said his selection is one he truly appreciates.
"It's gratifying to know over the years your involvement in the community has been recognized, that you've been recognized for that effort," he said.
As for his involvement, Krepakevich said it is something he believes is important as part of a community.
"That was the way I was raised, to be cooperative in all ways of life," he said.
When he started with the Senior Terriers in 1966 it was a case of pitching in to face a challenge.
"It needed doing, and I did it," he said.
At the time the senior team was broke. So Krepakevich and others got a couple of grain trucks and toured the rural area asking for five gallons of what which was stored at the airport until it could be sold to get the team through the season.
"That's how dire it was," he said. Krepakevich said obviously working with the Terriers has not been without its challenges.
"Circumstances sometime dictate to do things that are difficult," he said. That was certainly the case for the Terriers when Max Chambers, then owner of the team, pulled out, leaving the franchise on the brink of extinction.
"We had no cashflow. We had bills. The community was upset with the team, the situation," said Krepakevich.
Individuals were asked to sign $200 notes at the bank to get the cash to keep the team afloat. Some like Krepakevich did more.
"At that time we had to rescue the team," he said simply.
At the time there was a meeting at the Legion Hall in the city to see what could be done to save the franchise. Krepakevich said creditors were concerned how they would get their money back, but he and others had a different focus. "How to save the franchise? That was our concern." He and others would take on that challenge, "little knowing what we had gotten into," he said.
Krepakevich and the others managed to save the team, and he said the community grew because of that effort.
"I still say the community became stronger when it faced that kind of challenge of almost losing our Junior hockey team," he said, adding today "I view the Terriers as one of the strongest franchises in the league."
In terms of highlights, Krepakevich said he had to start with the Terriers trip to the then Centennial Cup in 1991, coming on the heels "of the late '80s situation we had where the franchise almost folded."
RBC CUP
Hosting the 1999 Royal Bank Cup in Yorkton was also special since Krepakevich and friend Reg Coles were co-chairs for the event.
But the ultimate memory for Krepakevich is not related to a specific player, team, or game, but rather remains the attitude of the community.
"It was seeing this franchise struggle, but always rising from the ashes as a stronger entity," he said.
Krepakevich said the Terriers are an important part of the fabric of the city, and he encourages everyone to be supportive of the team in one way, or another. That does not mean people have to buy season tickets, but getting out to an occasional game or fundraiser helps the franchise stay strong.
