Milverton Four Wheel Drives celebrate 60 years of hockey history

Pictured are the championship-winning 1969-1970 Milverton 4 Wheel Drives. In the front row, from left: Ron Steckly, Bob Gropp, Murray Kerr, George Nahrgang, Barry Dietz, Paul Dietz and John Scrimgeour. Second row, from left: Bob Harrow, Mike Mohr, Ed Erb, Dave Murray, Ron Kipfer, Jim Holmes, Richard Sloat, coach Tom Collins and assistant coach Dave Shearer. Third row, from left: Ken Gropp, John Melrose, Glen Marth, Frank Huras, Ron Huras and Ron Tanner. Fourth row, from left: Stan Leisure, Bill Nafziger, Bob Bundscho, Glen Shackleton, Lyle Leis and Bob Arand. Contributed photo

By Gary West

For 60 years, the Milverton Four Wheel Drives has been a fixture in Perth County hockey, building a proud history that includes championship seasons and a longstanding rivalry with the Tavistock Royals.

The senior hockey team was established in 1966 through the efforts of four local hockey enthusiasts who believed Milverton deserved a team of its own.

Ron Kipfer, Dave Shearer, Bob Harrow and Bill Nafzinger were the driving forces behind the organization, bringing their enthusiasm and determination together to make their vision a reality.

The four men approached Percy Schneider, a farm machinery dealer from Brunner, for financial support.

At the time, Schneider operated a Ford tractor dealership in downtown Brunner and was among the first farm machinery dealers in the area to introduce a line of four-wheel-drive tractors.

Schneider agreed to support the new hockey club, which was subsequently named the Four Wheel Drives in recognition of his business.

The team's first executive included Dave Shearer as manager, Jim Brough as treasurer and Bill Nafzinger as secretary.

That marked the beginning of a hockey tradition that continues six decades later.

Over the years, the Four Wheel Drives have attracted players from Milverton and surrounding communities, including Mitchell, Listowel and Elmira, making the team a source of pride for hockey fans throughout the region.

Among the highlights of the club's early history was its championship season in 1969-1970, when the Four Wheel Drives captured a title that remains an important part of the team's legacy.

The rivalry between the Milverton Four Wheel Drives and Tavistock Royals has also been a longstanding highlight of the local hockey scene.

With the two Perth County communities located just a short drive apart, games between the teams have traditionally drawn enthusiastic crowds, particularly during home-and-home series.

The close proximity of the two communities, combined with their competitive spirit, has helped make the rivalry a memorable part of senior hockey in the region.

As the Four Wheel Drives mark their 60th anniversary in 2026, the team remains a testament to the vision of four local hockey enthusiasts and the community support that helped establish the organization in 1966.

Thanks to Milverton's George Nahrgang for providing the historical information.