Celebrating the past, looking to the future

Andrew Parsons had it in his head he was going to have a big picture of Port aux Basques minor hockey alumni hanging in the trophy case at the Bruce II Sports Centre.

He will see it come to fruition this summer.

The president of the Port aux Basques Minor Hockey Association has been thinking about showcasing the rich history of the organization ever since the gateway town claimed third place in Kraft Hockeyville in 2008.

The organization was given $20,000 to do upgrades to the arena and one of the projects undertaken was refurbishing the trophy case in the facility.

With 2010 being Come Home Year for Port aux Basques, Parsons thought it would be a great idea to plan an event in conjunction with the big celebration.

He initially just wanted a couple of hours penciled in on the Come Home Year schedule whereby he could gather everybody together for a photo to be placed in the trophy case.

But, then after consultation with Come Home Year committee chairperson Cathy Lomond, it was decided to hold an alumni reunion and dance Aug. 4 at the Bruce II Sports Centre.

Calling all players

An invitation is being extended to all former players, coaches, and executive members from its inaugural year of 1966 up to players graduating in 2010 to attend the reunion at the Bruce II Sports Centre.

With an expected overflow of people expected to return to their roots, Parsons believes the timing is perfect.

"We always talk about how much hockey means to Port aux Basques, so I just think it's a great opportunity for everybody to get together because there's not a lot of people in this town who haven't been touched by it in some way, shape or form," Parsons said from Port aux Basques.

The alumni reunion will take place from 12-2 p.m. and the dance will be held later in the evening at the arena.

"What a great chance to get together and hear all the older fellas telling stories and give them a chance to meet the new graduates," he said.

The biggest part of the event will be the storytelling, according to Parsons, who is a Port aux Basques lawyer.

"I'm not trying to be exclusive ... if somebody feels that they had a tie to Port aux Basques minor hockey I would love for them to be part of it," Parsons said.

"It's nothing crazy, it's just a chance to get together, meet people and maybe get some pictures and tell old stories."

He has his own selfish reason for promoting the event.

"I want a picture in our trophy case with as many minor hockey people as possible," he said.

"That's what I am hoping to take out of it and I would love to see my old teammates.

"Just looking at my own family ... I've got my older brother Kris and my younger brother Adam, so I hope their teams will be there."

Special guest hints

He hinted that invitations have been sent out to a couple of special guests, but he was tight-lipped on the identity of those he is trying to lure to the town for the special occasion.

For more information, please contact Come Home Year special events co-ordinator Tina Kettle at 695-2200 or email at tkettle@portauxbasques.ca, People can also contact Andrew Parsons at andrewkparsons@gmail.com or 695-5852.

Interested people can also check for updates on the CHY Committee's website at www.pabcomehomeyear.com, Port aux Basques Minor Hockey Association website at www.portauxbasquesminorhockey.ca or check the official PAB Come Home Year Committee's Facebook page.

Registration will be required due to anticipated high numbers, so those interested should register early.