Page 14 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 98

14 Issue #98 March 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Continued from page 11 part of that officiating crew. There haven’t
leave quietly. If he chose not to do that, been many 3-hour hockey games, but that
he would be assessed with a ten-minute was one of them. I can still see Monfils
misconduct, a game misconduct, and a standing at center ice snowballs raining
gross misconduct and I would ensure we down from every corner of the Complex.
would be going to Ottawa for a hearing. I’m sure many Cornwall fans remember
Needless to say, he picked up all the sticks that night.”
and left quietly.” “Another great memory was getting to
Alex remembers some of the men he work two games in the 1980 QMJHL final
worked with throughout his career: Aime between Cornwall and the Sherbrooke
Leblanc, the Grant Brothers (Donny and Casters. This was some of the best hockey
Bud), Mark MacDonald, Bob Gamelin, I had ever witnessed and to have a ring-side
Reggie Grant, Mike O’Reilly, Carm seat right on the ice, well that was special.
MacMillan, and Danny Youmelle. There wasn’t a seat to be had and tickets
In 1975-76, Alex was invited to become were being scalped on the front steps of
an on-ice official with the Quebec Major the Complex for upwards of $100. We all
Junior Hockey League. “The Cornwall know Cornwall went on to a Memorial
Royals were still playing out of the Water Cup Championship in Brandon that year.”
Street Arena at the time, and working In the five years that he officiated in
games in the old barn was like refereeing the QMJHL, Alex got to share the ice
in a cardboard box. One of my fondest with players such as Mike Bossy, Guy
memories during my years of working the Carbonneau, Ray Bourque, Denis Savard,
“Q” is that of hometown hero Dave Ezard. Doug Gilmour, Rick Vaive, and of course
He not only had one of the hardest shots in superstar Dale Hawerchuck. Alex worked
the leagues, but he very seldom missed the two more seasons when the Royals moved Photo Submitted
net. To this day, it still baffles me as to why to the Ontario Hockey League and shared
he wasn’t drafted.” the ice with players such as Brian Bellows, the Air Canada Midget Championships, and Men’s Double trophies at the club.
The following year, the Royals moved Steve Yzerman, Dave Andreychuk, and Al The Loblaws Cup All-Ontario Bantam Wanting a change and a new challenge,
to the newly built Cornwall Civic McInnis. Championships, The Final Four University Alex moved across town to the Cornwall
Complex. “It was a pleasure to referee in Following an on-ice injury during the Cup, The Flying Father’s Charity Game Golf and Country Club in 2003. A change
the Complex, as the fans were so far away 1982-83 season, Alex decided it would where I volunteered to take the pie in in venue was rewarding, with Alex winning
from the action. The other officials loved be his last season working Major Junior the face, and the Canadian Broomball the Men’s “B” Class Championship in
to come to Cornwall to work games. When hockey. He spent one more season working Championships in 1982.” 2005.
I think back, a few highlights or memories ODHA hockey and hung up the striped Alex explains that broomball was very Alex now spends his winters at the
come to mind. One was the night of the jersey following the 1983-84 season. popular in the 70’s and 80’s with a few Cornwall Curling Center where he has been
snowball fiasco with referee Robert “When I reflect on the experiences I had different leagues running four nights a a member for the past 25 years. During the
Monfils from Hull. I just happened to be a officiating, many memories stand out: week at both the Bob Turner and Water summer months, Alex is a starter/marshal
St. arenas. “Without a feeder system like at Upper Canada golf course and has been
Minor Hockey, broomball soon died a a member there for the past five years.
Cornwall’s Oldest Paint, slow death. Hopefully, someday, we will After a thirty-three-year career in the
Blind & Shutter Store. see a resurgence of the sport.” Engineering Department at Domtar and
Family owned Business Since 1988
Alex cites his sons starting to play sports following the Mill’s closure, Alex spent
as another good reason for retirement from a couple of years at the Cornwall Public
Presents “Famous Sports Quotes” officiating. “I wanted to spend more time Library with a maintenance contract
with them. For them it was hockey in to look after the building (the old post
the winter and baseball, ball hockey, and office) before joining the Upper Canada
“ I need to treat everybody fairly, but fair doesn’t soccer in the summer. I coached them in District School Board as their Youth
their minor sports for a number of years Apprenticeship Program Coordinator
always mean equal.” Tony Dungy and in 1988-89 we won the Lower St. in 2008 and continuing in that role until
Lawrence Atom “A” Championship. For retirement in 2015. “I really enjoyed the
years following my refereeing I could work I did with the students, encouraging
walk into just about any rink in the Ottawa them to consider a career in the trades,
Valley and meet a past acquaintance.” and how they would be able to start an
Back in 1971 in Toronto, Alex started apprenticeship, while still in high school. I
ALL BLINDS
ALL BLINDS pitching fastball in the Hydro League and travelled to 22 high schools in the Ottawa
upon returning to Cornwall continued Valley talking to students about trades and
playing in the John Denneny Fastball apprenticeships.”
league, pitching for a number of teams over Alex also enjoyed a short stint in politics
an eight-year period. Over that span of time, as a School Board Trustee from 1990 to
he played for Crane Supply, Levesque’s 1997 and has also served on a number of
SAVE 50 % Auto Body, and Cain’s Backhoe Service. Boards of Directors, for a number of non-
UP UP
“In my last season playing with Cain’s, we profit agencies.
TO TO
were entered into a number of tournaments
“There are a lot of great memories when
which meant being away most weekends we look back, and no doubt the highlight
and with a young family at home it was is the people we meet and get to know,
SOL-R difficult. I also wanted to spend a little and the events we were fortunate to have
more time on the golf course, so 1982 the opportunity to participate in, whether
proved to be my last summer playing ball.”
Since 1988 it be as an official, player, or spectator.
Alex joined Summer Heights in 1983
Celebrating 33 years and was a member there for twenty years. As seniors how lucky we are to grow up
Quality & Service At The Right Price! He enjoyed some success on the links, and get to witness the feats of Michael
Paints, Blinds, Shutters winning the Men’s Club Championship Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Jack
three times; in 1990, 1997, and 2000. He Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson,
240 Pitt Street • 613-933-8924 • www.jas-mar.com also has his name on the Men’s Singles Michael Phelps, just to name a few.”