Wanting to hear from local fans, who like myself spent many a night in chilled arenas in the across the city watching local standouts at every level, so I also reached out to a number of friends and acquaintances to hear their thoughts to further the fan’s perspective.
With this in mind, we contacted a number of local products from Thunder Bay home who have spent many a year involved in the game, and asked them the following two questions:
1. Who was your favourite local player, or someone from the city who played at any level, that you admired growing up?
2. Who do you think the best player from your era, or otherwise, from Thunder Bay was and why?
Listed below are the thoughts of a local product as to who their favourites and best players were:
BILL MCDONALD: Played junior locally with the legendary Port Arthur Marrs’ and the Thunder Bay Vulcans. … Went on to compete in senior hockey with the iconic Thunder Bay Twins, skating both on defence and at forward. … Was part of back-to-back USHL championship-winning side in 1974 and ’75. … A member also of the Twins’ club that won Allan Cup Canadian senior hockey crowns in 1975, 1984 and 1985. … Named a second team CASHL All-Star on defence in 1983-84 with the Twins. … Went on to coach the Twins to two more Allan Cup wins in 1988 & ’89. … From there coached the Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks to the first-ever Colonial Cup title in 1992 and tacked on two more Colonial Hockey League triumphs with the Thunder Bay Senators in both 1994 & ’95. … Was CoHL coach of the year in 1991-92. … Also led the Fort Worth Fire behind the bench to a Central Hockey League championship in 1997. Was named CHL coach of the year for the 1996-97 season. … Recognized as Western Pro Hockey League’s top coach on 1997-98 with the Fort Worth Brahmas.
This brought back many memories and made me think how lucky I was to be to be involved with these players.
My junior years was just the best time of my life and then the Twins era, which was amazing and the championships we won in the Colonial League.
Playing for Ab (Albert Cava) and Cookie (Gary Cook), I was well taken care of.
FAVOURITE PLAYERS: I played with some good players on the Port Arthur Marrs – Lee Fogolin Jr., Nelson Pyatt, Vic Venasky.
I really was in awe of Vic Venasky.
So smooth so skilled and could really shoot the puck.
I played with Nelson on the same line at times. Just a horse.
Foggie (Lee Fogolin Jr.), my Current River buddy. We drove together to practices and games. Look at the career he had just his determination and played the game with a physical presence.
We had a tight knit group of the Marrs. Goldie (Bill Goldthorpe), Gwoz (George Gwozdecky), Troggy (Willie Trognitz).
I can remember beating Sudbury with 5,500 jammed in the Fort William Gardens.
Then the Vulcans. With local junior teams coming together, it was an interesting time. You were now playing with guys that you were literally fighting against each other one year before, but now playing with each other.
Wow, what a team. Doug Adams; Dennis Owchar; Rick Addouno; Dan Gruen; Tom Milani; Bob DePeiro; Joe Kompon.
Add in all the Marrs players and I guess that’s why we went undefeated in regular season play.
I always admired Dan Gruen. Going head-to-head against him junior when he was with the Canadians versus us with the Marrs. He was tough and really could play. We ended up being in each other’s wedding party.
So, I played with and against some real good players in my junior years.
The Twins organization could arguably be the best amateur organization of all time. From executive to players.
One thing that I loved was I got to reunite with players from my Jr. era in senior.
But some guys that were a little older came back and played. Johnny Adams, Ralph Stewart, Ron & Mike Busniuk, Ken Campbell, Gary Veneruzzo, Ray Addouno.
Then some, a touch younger, like Mark Chorney; Rory Cava; Lynn Jorgensen; Rob DeGagne, Jamie McDonald (what a talent) and of course WALLY, WALLY, WALLY (Wally Presenger).
Russ Elliott was great too. The list goes on and on.
I think the I player I admired growing up was Vic Venasky.
Got to watch him in Jr., then play with him in Jr., then watch his pro career. What a great guy.
I think the best players from my era were Lee Fogolin Jr. and Nelson Pyatt.
I probably left some out. Man, I played with a lot of good players and good people.
