The Elgar Petersen Arena was a fitting place to hold the much-anticipated Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday evening. It was a glittering event that saw more than 700 people attend, including the likes of Wendall Clark, Dave “Tiger” Williams, and even Elgar Petersen himself.
“Having Elgar here is really special … you just have to read the story,” said Humboldt Mayor Malcolm Eaton. “He’s been such a big part of this community and particularly the hockey world, but also other sports, so it’s really great to see him honoured tonight and I think the whole community will appreciate that when they read about it and when they hear about it. For all the folks that are here tonight that are part of it, I think the community is really going to appreciate the way the Hockey Hall of Fame is honouring Elgar’s story.”
More than just Petersen, the inductees were swarmed with people wanting to chat, take pictures and get autographs. Clark and Williams were especially swamped and neither were able to move more than a few steps without getting stopped by someone.
“It’s always special and you’re always honoured (to be recognized by people) because when us guys go into play, you’re representing the areas you’re from,” said Clark. “You try to remember everybody; half the time you don’t remember all the names, but you do remember faces because you’re getting to meet a lot of people. But you’re always proud of the area that you come from.”
Clark is originally from Kelvington and started playing as a junior defenseman with the Saskatoon Blades. During that time, he was on Team Canada when they won the gold medal for the 1985 World Junior Championships, after which he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He stayed with them for the next eight years before moving around between other teams until going back to the Leafs from 1997-1998. He was captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was selected to two NHL All-Star games, one for each term with the Leafs.
When asked why so many people from Saskatchewan become professional hockey players, he said, “I think (us kids) all grew up in small towns, small areas - even our cities aren’t that big - so they’re kind of small towns in perspective … hockey is a long season in Saskatchewan. We have long winters so the communities and kids live in rinks all winter. That’s their second home.”
Humboldt specifically wasn’t lacking in inductees either. Aside from Petersen’s notable induction, the 2002-2003 Humboldt Broncos team and Kevin Muench also carved their own spots in the great hall of fame.
Muench was inducted for his role as an official over the years. He has performed in that role with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association since 1976 and has been a referee in three International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) tournaments, including the 1994 winter Olympics in Norway. He has also worn other hockey hats, such as Supervisor of Officials, Seminar Instructor, Director of Referee Development for the WHL, etc.
“It’s really a special night. When I look at the people that were inducted here tonight and the people that were inducted before, to be considered in that same group, it’s a tremendous feeling. So humbling and exciting,” he said. “Humboldt and area is so very important to me. I grew up in Muenster and my parents still live in Muenster. This is where I grew up, this is where I learned my love for hockey, and to be coming back here for this ceremony, well, it couldn’t be a better spot.”
Also to get inducted were Victor Lynn from Saskatoon, Guyle Fielder from Nipawin, Dave King from North Battleford, Jack McLeod from Regina, Gerry ‘Doc’ Rooney from Estevan (he was key in establishing the current Humboldt Broncos association), the Simpson Flyers (for their 1965-1972 provincial performances), and the 1933-1934 Saskatoon Quakers.
For such a memorable event, it was fortunate that Humboldt was able to win the bid to host it.
“I think it really recognizes and acknowledges the fact that we’re a great hockey community and that we’ve got a lot to contribute to the legacy and the history of hockey in the province of Saskatchewan, so it’s a real honour to have the event here,” said Eaton.
