The planning process began in July as soon as Unity learned they could have the opportunity to host the Montreal Canadiens alumni hockey tour. A committee led by veteran hockey organizers went to work to set up the game and to offer fans a full hockey experience.
The excitement was evident right from arrival of the Canadiens bus to town.
The Canadiens faithful came out in force, as did the odd “opposition” team supporter.
The venue offered a full Habs souvenir booth as well as the opportunity to watch favourite Canadiens players up close. There was a meet and greet session for those who purchased the VIP add-on.
An army of volunteers from Unity Minor Hockey, Delta Co-op, Unity Credit Union as well as the food bank and UCRC manned multiple stations and prepared and served a meal for all of the players following the game.
Garan Rewerts from Cut Knife and Ken Parker from Unity bid on the “Thrill of a Lifetime” opportunity that had them suit up in Canadiens gear, including their very own custom jersey made for each to keep following the game. Canadiens equipment manager positions were also up for bid and these went to Jim “Percy” Williams and Shane Kirby. Chris Ward was the lucky bidder for the position of Canadiens dressing room security.
The night was full of memorable moments including opening ceremonies where Second World War veteran Si Campbell was given the honor of dropping the opening puck. After Campbell’s introduction was read the crowd immediately rose to their feet for a long and resounding standing ovation. As well, every single player on the ice skated forward to shake his hand.
The Canadiens roster ranged from the seasoned veterans ranging in age from 59 to the very newest retiree, and youngest on their roster, Francis Bouillon age 40, who retired in September of 2015.
Although down after the first period, the Lazers alumni team ensured they were giving their best effort on the ice. Plenty of finesse passing, smooth skating skills mixed in with some entertainment factors were all part of the Canadiens game plan. The scoring started early for the Canadiens in the first period but it became more of a match once the game played out ending with a final score of 8-4 for the Canadiens.
Unity Composite High School’s vice-principal Ken Parker was one of the successful bidders on the “Thrill of a Lifetime” opportunity wherein he received his own numbered and named emblazoned personal jersey as well as being outfitted identically to all of the players present.
“This is the best day ever,” he said.
His family remarked on how excited he was to be fulfilling a life-long dream of meeting his idol, Guy Lafleur, not ever imagining he would be coached by Lafleur while skating alongside other Canadiens players he looked up to in his younger years. UCHS students were excited to see Parker make his debut in Canadiens colours knowing how big a Habs fan he was.
Garan Rewerts from Cut Knife was the other “Thrill of a Lifetime” successful bidder and while his reaction was a little more subdued it was clearly evident in his smile that he, too, was knocking something off his bucket list.
The Unity Lazers alumni players, who also paid for the privilege to play against these former NHLers and Stanley Cup winners, all had the same enthusiasm using the phrases “phenomenal experience, thrill of a lifetime, and great fun.”
Both intermissions allowed dressing room visits by those fans that had won or paid for that privilege. All participants in these exclusive dressing room visits were impressed with the approachability and easy-going nature of players as they seemed to enjoy meeting their fans as much as those fans enjoyed meeting them. And Lafleur himself posed for multiple photos throughout the night.
Following the game, those fans who purchased VIP tickets headed upstairs to the lounge to enjoy a beverage with fellow fans as well as a meet and greet session with the players. Long lineups to buy Canadiens merchandise and to have keepsakes signed developed. Canadiens players were enjoying this part of their visit to Unity as much as their game, especially when seeing items like a seat from the former Montreal Forum, a game stick from the Stanley Cup winning team that included Ricer, Green, Nilan and Penny as well as jerseys from teams other than the Canadiens they had played for at one time.
Laurence Blanchette, whose nickname is “Frenchie,” was teased many times about how he would introduce himself to the Canadiens. Blanchette was another one of those perennial “beamers” following the game as he had the privilege of coaching the Canadiens alongside Guy Lafleur.
“I need to thank my kids who purchased this opportunity for me because it has just been an awesome experience,” Blanchette said. “I never felt left out and the Canadiens included me as part of their group wholeheartedly. I felt like royalty really, all game. But, just so you know, Guy made all the play calls.”
While Chris Nilan, a former NHL tough guy, may have struck fear in his opponents’ hearts with his pre-game and game-time chirps, he definitely recognized the game was about the fans and did his part as leader of the alumni team to ensure everyone in attendance had a great experience.
The organizing committee members were pleased with the attendance of around 450 in the stands.
The Montreal players seemed to appreciate the high regard the host committee held for this event, ensuring they were welcomed enthusiastically as well as ensuring they felt like the special guests they were. Habs players noted the row of kids outside their dressing room was an added bonus. They, too, appeared to be just as humbled by honoured guest Si Campbell at opening puck drop as Campbell was honoured to perform this duty.
