Mount Pearl rec hockey boys net a big milestone of memories

By Mark Squibb

The year was 1976.

Rocky dominated at the box office, while Paul McCartney and the Wings’ disco-inspired Silly Love Songs dominated the charts. Over a million workers walked off the job to protest Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s wage legislation. And on November 29 the Mount Pearl Men’s Recreational Hockey League was formed. Tom Vardy was named president, a position which he held until 1980, when the reins were handed to Bren Rumsey.

“I have a little bit of a puffed-out chest, knowing that I was involved from the beginning,” admits Rumsey, who joined the league in it’s inaugural year at the urging of his neighbour, Bob Voisey.

“I had never played organized hockey,” said Rumsey. “We either played on the street or went into Burton’s Pond and cleaned off enough snow to play on the ice, and that was the extent of it. So, I had never really played organized hockey, so it was a golden opportunity for me.”

Rumsey held the presidency until 1984. Shortly after, he would bow out of the league following surgery.

“I got very involved, and at the same time, I got to meet a fair number of people living here in Mount Pearl, some of whom have become lifelong friends,” said Rumsey.

A decade ago, Rumsey was asked to help organize the clubs 40th anniversary celebration. Now, he’s been asked back to help organize the 50th anniversary.

He has nothing but good things to say about how the league is run.

“I’m sitting there, absolutely amazed, and feeling great, that I’ve had a hand in this from the beginning, and that these people have continued it on in the best way possible,” said Rumsey. “It’s as good, if not better, today, than it was when we started out. I’m quite amazed by the involvement on the part of the executive of the league, and the dedication that they have, to keep this league going as it was intended from the very, very beginning.”

At the forefront of the present executive is president Steve MacDonald, who has held the post since 2012. He said the league is all about making friends and having a bit of fun.

“It’s the camaraderie, and a bit of exercise,” said MacDonald. “It’s a lot of fun.”

The league, which is open to men 37 years of age and older, began with four teams, and grew to a six-team league within a year.

Today, the league boasts eight teams, 112 full-time players, and a waiting list of about 50. The boys play every Tuesday night at the Glacier.

During the league’s regular season, each team plays 21 games. The top four teams then compete for Championship ‘A’ and the bottom four teams compete for Championship ‘B.’ The league also hosts an annual Easter tournament and invites clubs from across the province to compete. That event has been held since 1979 and is one of the province’s oldest running recreation tournaments.

The league employs a two-ref system to keep games from getting out of control, and fighting is not tolerated. Players who fight are automatically suspended for one year.

Aside from having fun on the ice, the boys also take up a collection around Christmas time to help families in need.

“We refer to it as ‘Toonies for Turkeys,’ but basically it’s for groceries and other items that families need,” said MacDonald. “Through the schools’ guidance councillors, we target it to the people who need it.”

The 50th anniversary dinner and dance, featuring Bic & The Ballpoints, will be held March 28 at the Reid Centre. Tickets are $40 a couple and are being sold until March 21.

To purchase tickets, call MacDonald at 709-685-7978 or email mpmrhl@gmail.com.

“Anybody who has played in the league is more than welcome,” noted MacDonald.

Two pillars of the league who won’t be there, but will surely be missed, are Tom Vardy, who has moved out of province, but will be sending greetings, and the late David Sheppard.

“The number of adults, middle-aged and guys fairly up in years, who have still been able to enjoy a game of hockey, and the fellowship and camaraderie every night that those games go on, is a credit to them, and certainly to many others, and there have been quite a number of others who have had a hand in running this league over the years,” said Rumsey. “It’s a compliment to all of them.”