Ice Hockey

Select Memories of Hockey in Clymont

To put today’s rink activities properly into perspective, we have to go back when it all started. Of course this would have been mid century when Clymont’s matriarch, a much younger and slightly more agile Dorothy Flemming/Baron spent much of the winter, using a willow stick to knock around the lumps left on the road by a passing horse or bull. Both the lumps and the willow sticks were as plentiful in the 40’s as they are today, but in earlier days it was more common to practice this sport in the winter when the ‘road apples’ were a little more firm. Dorothy is known to have taught many a boy or girl in the skillful distribution and handling of the bs. Today of course, many locals engage the art of knocking around these lumps aimlessly, any time of the year, no matter how sticky & fresh the residue might be!

If you are a little younger than Dorothy, like some of our members who moved to Clymont back in the 60’s & 70’s (and we do have many of these people still left around), anyone who thought that they were somewhat of a hockey player, practiced Canada’s National Sport out on a frozen pond. The local sloughs were cleared with a plywood scraper and/or a scoop shovel for the specific purpose of maneuvering the puck around two frozen boots with a wooden hockey stick from Eaton’s or worn broom from the WW. Arcade.

Some of you may remember the old rink and rink shack on Park Drive. It was here that we got to know our Hill Top neighbors while playing shinny or flooding the ice. The ice over there was made primarily with well water, although to get a good base, it was not uncommon to bring in a water truck for an initial flood or two. As most of you know there is a lot of iron in the well water around Clymont. Ice made with impurities usually turns dark over time and this surely happened at the old rink. Dark ice made for an early thaw and even shorter skating season than we have now. In the summer, pigeons pretty much took over the old rink shack leaving their little white piles to become big grey piles all over the building. The meager lighting was provided from cables strung between poles on opposite sides of the boards. By 1980, the boards themselves had pretty much outlived their useful life.

Construction of a new rink soon followed construction of the new hall at our current site. The new rink shack with attached garage was built with all the modern conveniences, including natural gas heating, a ‘city water’ cistern, a change room and not one but two washrooms. We are now equipped. The multi purpose garage houses the grounds maintenance equipment, a modest work shop, our modern ice making equipment, a big snow blower, and in the summer – provides for storage of the League’s multiple BBQ. Ice usually goes in by the middle of December and (weather cooperating) is available for use over the Christmas holiday season. Again as dictated by the weather, the ice is usually in use until about the middle of March. This of course is a short season compared to the many artificial indoor facilities around, but it is well worth the nominal investment in water. Ice construction and maintenance is all handled by volunteers. At this rink, the air is always fresh. Outdoor rinks offer the added benefit of skating or playing hockey under star light and in all weather conditions. Due to the keen observation skills and some negotiating on the part of Bruce Best, our community league owns it’s own genuine Zamboni ice surfacer with studded tires and all. Was it yet mentioned that among Clymont’s many claims, we have the best out door ice in the province?

We also enjoy the wonders of nature. You’ll never know when a moose, deer or jack rabbit may drop by. Of course, use of the rink by your youngsters is expected and encouraged. Where else can you plan on hearing the gleeful squeal of a pre schooler enjoying the out-of-doors in mid-winter? This is music to the ear of any parent or grand parent. Or, what about the distinct ring of a puck ricocheting off the goal post and the muffled curse as the puck glides over the screened end boards. The older guys (& some gals) as well as younger players who are eager to learn more sophisticated moves from the veterans are welcome to come out on Sunday evenings for a game of ol’ timers shinny. A review of the many rink sounds would be incomplete without noting that faint “psst”, “psst” around 9:30 pm as the ol’ time athletes move on to that even more important national recreation - replenishing lost liquids. After all, we are CANADIAN, eh?

If you have any questions about using the rink or want more information on becoming involved, please call:

Blair (470-0773)