Major milestones reached during YCW in the 1970s

Our review of the history of Young Canada Week (YCW) focuses on the 1970s this month.

In 1970, Nip Whetstone, operator of the local Canadian Tire and a founder of YCW, was named Mr. PeeWee Hockey by the Town of Goderich.

A scroll was presented to him by two members of the Goderich Lions PeeWee team – Grant Shelton and Mike Cumming.

The national scope of the tournament was illustrated by the location of the two teams in the East-West game.

Vancouver defeated Greenwood, Nova Scotia to take the trophy.

In this 21st edition of YCW, the goal number 10,000 of the tournament was scored. Over that time, some 27,000 players had participated in the tournament by then.

The 10,000th goal was scored by Danny McCarthy playing for Stratford.

Although it is not recorded in the history of YCW book that he played in the NHL, McCarthy did in fact play five games and score four goals for the New York Rangers in the 1980-1981 season during his eight-year career in professional hockey.

The YCW Committee is hoping he will be able to attend the 75th anniversary next March.

Although his name is not included, the history book does name some 23 players on teams from the 1970s that reached the NHL.

In 1971 the team from Hespeler won its first of three consecutive ‘B’ championships.

In 1972 a Referees Appreciation Day was held. Referee-in-chief Ken Crawford, who officiated in the tournament for over 30 years, explained how the referees received no payment and worked as volunteers for the love of the game.

A good hot meal and an annual golf tournament were the extent of their reimbursement.

Goderich Mayor Harry Worsell dropped the puck at the opening game that year.

In 1973, Wayne Gretzky came to play in the tournament amid huge hype. Wearing his white gloves, Gretzky scored two goals in Brantford’s first game.

They were his 100th and 101st of the season. Gretzky was playing defence, which his father Walter explained was his favourite position.

That year the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) issued 224 March Break centred tournament permits but Young Canada Week was still holding its own spot as the ‘granddaddy of all tournaments’ with 89 teams taking part and 3,200 meals being served.

In 1974, YCW celebrated its 25th anniversary with a banquet at the Saltford Valley Hall.

Larry Jeffrey dropped the puck at the opening ceremony and Wayne Gretzky returned for his second year at the tournament.

In 1975, the tournament underwent a change, changing to a double knock-out format. That led to a reduction in the number of teams that could be accommodated.

In 1976, the following teams were champions – AA Toronto Nationals, A Stratford, B Kincardine, C Shelbourne, D Teeswater. That year also saw the passing of ‘Ma Pruder, who had been involved in the feeding of the teams since the inception of the tournament.

In 1977, the 2,000th game of the tournament was celebrated in the newly renovated Goderich Memorial Arena.

Jeff Denomme, who would in later life be the CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame, played an important part in the Goderich Lions PeeWee’s victories.

In 1978, for the first time in the tournament’s history, no Goderich team took part due to an OMHA regulation that banned teams still in playoffs from participating in tournaments.

I was the coach of that team, and I can attest to the disappointment they experienced. Kids grew up in Goderich hoping that someday they would get to play in YCW, and just when they were a part of a good team, they were denied that opportunity.

The OMHA announced only recently that the Christmas and March breaks would be ‘dark’ for league play, enabling teams to participate in tournaments.

In 1979, the tournament celebrated its 30th year with presentations to founders Nip Whetstone and Guy Emerson.

During the ‘A’ championship game, the 15,000th goal of the tournament was scored by John Potak playing for Newmarket.

The game was stopped, and he was presented with the game puck and a trophy.

So many milestones were reached during YCW in the 1970s, including goals scored and legendary hockey star Wayne Gretzky making a couple appearances in Goderich.

Next month we will focus on YCW in the 1980s.