Last Canada Day, Howie Meeker and his young bride, Leah, hosted a garden party in Parksville to celebrate his Order of Canada award.
The Meekers invited 250 people from across the nation and they greeted more than 300 people in their long driveway for five hours before the real party even started.
“I re-connected with people way back, way back in the ‘40s,” exclaimed Meeker, in Vernon last week as honourary chair of the Special Olympics Golf Tournament at Spallumcheen.
“They’re not on your Christmas list anymore, but you remember you spent time with them and it was a great, great thing. And since then, I’ve met a lot of wonderful people who have that same award…I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
Meeker won Canada’s highest civilian award at age 88 and he’s not slowing down as he and Leah also help the B.C. Guide Dog Services when not tending to their garden.
Two years after being badly injured in WWII, Meeker racked up 45 points with the Maple Leafs and won the Calder Trophy as top rookie. A 19-year-old Gordie Howe had 22 points with Detroit.
Special Olympics founder Harry (Red) Foster, a Leafs’ director, put Meeker on the Special Olympics’ board and he’s been there for decades.
“They’re absolutely good people,” he said. “You know, the good Lord shortchanged them a little bit somewhere along the line but he gave them something to more than make up for it. They’re happy. They’re always laughing. They’re always talking. They’re not a nickel’s worth of trouble. It’s been a pleasure working with them.”
Meeker, who entered the NHL Hall of Fame in ‘98 as a broadcaster, watched the Kings claim the Stanley Cup with mixed emotions.
“I was kind of delighted they won,” said Meeker. “I was disappointed that the Canadian clubs weren’t in there until the end. I think what they’ve done is really changed the whole history of the game. Defence now comes way, way ahead of offence.
“Here in Canada and the rest of the world, we’re not developing enough skilled hockey players to sell the game on speed, skill and finesse. So, if I draft anywhere after 10, I don’t get anything but big, tough, hard-working, honest guys. They’ve taken over.”
He dislikes seeing loads of players in the corner playing footsie with the puck and he favours a penalty if you leave your feet to block a shot.
“An ant couldn’t crawl through (the scrums in front). Guys are making millions of dollars a year by being a target in a shootin’ gallery. God bless ‘em. They’re crazy but it’s spoiled the game.”
As for his golf game, Howie tossed his woods away four or five years ago and now hits a two-iron with success.
“I start the year with 12 balls and I end up with 14 or 15 so I’m not losing too many.”
He’s not a huge fan of Hockey Night in Canada’s Don Cherry.
Local broadcaster (Pistol) Pete McIntyre, who joined me in an interview session with Meeker at a Special Olympics breakfast at Swan Lake Nurseryland, asked Howie if Cherry’s time is up.
“Nobody can give him advice so as long as he wants to stay there, let him stay there. I don’t watch him. I admire him for what he does. He’s got a circus act going, him and his buddy (Ron MacLean) and he’s got a great following but I wanna know what’s going on out on the ice, I don’t wanna know about his buddies and all this other baloney. I don’t think he’s done anything for the game of hockey, but he’s done well for himself.”
Jones makes Vernon stop
Art Jones, who was the Wayne Gretzky of the old pro Western Hockey League, didn’t think much of Cherry as an opponent.
“All he could do was talk,” said Jones, who won six scoring titles, two league MVPs and three Lester Patrick Cups with the Portland Buckaroos.
In town two weeks ago to visit family in Vernon (his nephew is Murray Fairweather) and golf at Spallumcheen, Jones set a WHL record in 1970 with 127 points.
A Saskatoon native, Jones came out west to play senior hockey for the Spokane Flyers, who lost a playoff series to the 1956 Allan Cup champion Vernon Canadians, coached by George Agar.
“George asked me to come play for them,” recalled Jones, over a soda pop at Tim Hortons in the Landing. “They had a good skating team and their goalie was pretty good.”
In Portland, Jones made a career-high $25,000 in his best seasons with the Buckaroos outbidding the NHL Montreal Canadiens for his services. He spent 14 years with Portland after two years with the New Westminster Royals and one season with the Victoria Cougars.
“It was a good living,” said Jones, 77, a father of four and grandfather of nine. “I had a good time. It’s been a good life, a lot of laughs.”
Jones played in Portland with the likes of Pat Stapleton, Jack Bionda, Connie Madigan, Patty Ginnell, Dale Rolfe, Dennis Kearns and Jerry Korab. Many of the Buckaroos never left Portland, where the Major Junior Winterhawks recognize Jones and crew.
“They have a night for us every year and it’s their biggest night in attendance,” said Jones, who remains close buddies with Buckaroo teammates Arnie Schmautz and Gord Fashoway. “We don’t get to watch the game. All we do is sign autographs.”
Jones, who built houses for a few years after the pro WHL loop folded in 1974, is now into horses as he works as head supervisor of pari-mutuals at Portland Meadows five days a week. His wife, Jill, remains his No. 1 fan.
Art is a big college football fan, loving the Oregon Ducks’ no-huddle offence.
