The 1970s were an iconic time for fashion, and for hockey, and the Humboldt Broncos plan to link the two this February.
Last week, the local Junior A hockey club announced that a film crew making a movie about one of the most infamous enforcers in hockey will be filming at the last Humboldt Broncos home game of the regular season on February 19.
"We were approached by a movie company out of Saskatoon," stated Jennifer Fafard, Humboldt Broncos office manager.
That company, which she was not able to name, is making a film about the life and career of Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe, who was actually the inspiration for the enforcer character Ogie Ogilthorpe in the 1977 movie "Slap Shot."
When the Broncos were first approached, the company was considering both Humboldt and Prince Albert as possible locations for filming.
But after coming out to see Humboldt - touring the courthouse and jail - "they fell in love with what they could film there and at the rink," Fafard said.
So they will be attending the February 19 game to film scenes between periods and after the game.
"We're really excited about this filming opportunity," Fafard said, adding that Humboldt's mayor is already on board with this project.
The film is based on the true story of Goldthorpe's life, Fafard noted.
Goldthorpe, a left-winger who was born in Ontario in 1953, played 11 years of professional hockey from 1972 to 1984. He played for 10 minor league teams, and four World Hockey Association squads, and even suited up for a few NHL exhibition games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In his 11 years, he racked up 1,132 penalty minutes in 194 games, earning him the reputation as "the wildest, meanest, most unpredictable player in hockey."
He was also a wild man off the ice, it seems.
"He was jailed 38 times in 17 cities," said Fafard. "He was convicted 25 times and shot once."
There are stories of his teams arranging for him to play hockey even while he was serving jail time, Fafard said. He would suit up in a jail cell, right down to his skates, would be driven to the arena where he'd play a full game, and then get transported back to jail.
The United States even tried to deport him once, Fafard said, but Canada refused to take him back.
Now reformed, Goldthorpe lives in San Diego, where he is a foreman at a construction company.
While the filming is a great opportunity to gain Humboldt exposure to the wider world, the community is going to have to help out a bit.
"The commitment we need... is that on February 19, we need to pack the rink," Fafard said.
The Broncos are hoping for a full house of fans dressed in their best 1970s gear, to suit the period of the movie.
"They will be filming game scenes and fight scenes," Fafard said, and they'd like the rink absolutely filled to the rafters with fans.
"It will be a lot of fun. The people will be a part of the film."
The team is planning to have some signs set up that fit with the film, and that, combined with the fans' vintage clothing, should give the game a real 1970s atmosphere.
Having that many fans in the arena will also help the home team as they embark on playoffs, Fafard believes.
"It will create a huge atmosphere," she said. "The boys will love... playing for a packed house.... They'll carry those good vibes into playoffs."
The Broncos are promoting it as Ogie Ogilthorpe night, and the filming and the game will be followed by the Humboldt Broncos' annual shootout.
Goldthorpe himself is actually supposed to be at the arena that night.
"We're going to have him sign autographs... and we hope to do some more promotions (with him)," Fafard said.
She hopes to get Goldthorpe to act as a shooter in the shootout, she noted, but that's still up in the air.
"It will be a full, jam-packed night," Fafard said.
