Hockey has changed quite a lot since Ronnie Paterson was chosen to join Team Canada for a chance at Olympic gold.
That was in 1980, at Lake Placid, N.Y. 香蕉视频直播� the same year a U.S. team of young college players defeated the powerhouse Soviet Union squad in the semifinals.
Now a proud parent and grandparent, Paterson reflects back on those days with fondness.
香蕉视频直播淚t was a tremendous experience. Any time you香蕉视频直播檙e representing your country is a very proud moment,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Paterson found out less than two weeks ago that he would be one of this year香蕉视频直播檚 B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) Class of 2023 inductees, when his longtime friend (and retired Canadian sportscaster well-known for his play-by-play National Hockey League commentary) Jim Hughson gave him a call.
They香蕉视频直播檇 caught up about what each had been up to and chatted about their grandchildren, when Hughson let him know the purpose of the call.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 calling you as good friend and chair of the (BCHHF) board advising you that you香蕉视频直播檙e being inducted into the BCHHF,香蕉视频直播� Hughson told Paterson.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 very, very humbling. I香蕉视频直播檓 very proud and very reflective, based on what it represents 香蕉视频直播� I know how many special athletes have historically been inducted into the hall and then to learn who else was going in this year was also an extremely proud moment for me.香蕉视频直播�
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Back in 1980, Olympic hockey teams were comprised of college and junior (amateur) players, he noted, which meant 香蕉视频直播� as a 23-year-old goaltender for the UBC Thunderbirds 香蕉视频直播� he had the chance to try out for the Olympic team.
He joined the national program under famed Canadian coach Father David Bauer in the late 1970s and trained for a year and a half in Calgary, and ended up being one of three goaltenders who went to Lake Placid.
The White Rock Whalers (Pacific Junior Hockey League) owner and former Surrey Eagles (BC Hockey League) co-owner played plenty of games for Canada in the run-up to the Olympics 香蕉视频直播� at locales all over the globe 香蕉视频直播� but served as the team香蕉视频直播檚 third goaltender at the tournament, which meant he wasn香蕉视频直播檛 in uniform for the games.
He did, however, get to spend some time with the broadcast crew, which included NHL legend Ken Dryden and play-by-play man Al Michaels, the latter of whom voiced the famous line, 香蕉视频直播淒o you believe in miracles?!香蕉视频直播� when the U.S. won the semifinal game.
The U.S. eventually got the gold medal with a win over Finland in the final.
香蕉视频直播淚t wasn香蕉视频直播檛 optimal 香蕉视频直播� I really wanted to play 香蕉视频直播� but it was still pretty cool,香蕉视频直播� said Paterson, who was in the building for the famous game, and called it 香蕉视频直播渋ncredible.香蕉视频直播�
Canada finished out of the medals, in fifth, at Lake Placid, though Paterson said they certainly had the skill to compete with teams that finished on the podium.
Goaltending was much different in 1980, he recalled.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 5香蕉视频直播�6香蕉视频直播� nowadays you have to be 6香蕉视频直播�5香蕉视频直播�,香蕉视频直播� he pointed out.
香蕉视频直播淭he goaltending was more angles and reactionary and quickness,香蕉视频直播� Paterson said.
香蕉视频直播淭he position has changed a lot 香蕉视频直播� and, I think, for the better 香蕉视频直播� I really marvel at these goaltenders today at how they stop the puck. It香蕉视频直播檚 been fun to watch the transition. It was certainly a lot different then then it was today香蕉视频直播� I remember we would practise for the Olympics twice a day and the pads would be soaking wet and heavy afterward.香蕉视频直播�
Still, he 香蕉视频直播渉as nothing but fond memories香蕉视频直播� of those days and enjoys the 香蕉视频直播渞ich experiences and friendships that remain very special.香蕉视频直播�
PATERSON INTO THE HALL!
香蕉视频直播� WhiteRockWhalers (@WRWhalersHockey)
Congratulations to our leader Ronnie Paterson for being inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame under the Builders category. Ronnie has made a significant impact and contribution to the game of Hockey.
Congrats Ronnie and the rest of the Class of 2023
While he briefly entertained the idea of playing professionally in Europe after the Olympics, Paterson returned to UBC and completed his degree in education.
When Molson Breweries 香蕉视频直播� a major sponsor of the national program 香蕉视频直播� offered him a job at their brewery, and he spent 25 years there, working in sales.
Now, he and his family own several successful pubs and liquor stores, which his two sons are involved with.
香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檝e always been involved in the game as well and the family business香蕉视频直播� I香蕉视频直播檓 very honoured to see them grow and develop it. Hockey and hospitality have been a big part of my life,香蕉视频直播� he said.
As owner of the White Rock Whalers, now in their fifth year 香蕉视频直播� and up 3-1 in a playoff series against the Richmond Sockeyes (as of Thursday morning, March 2) 香蕉视频直播� Paterson is proud of how the club allows players to continue to play hockey at a competitive level, but also, helps prepare them for life after the arena.
香蕉视频直播淲e try to offer them not only good hockey experiences but good life experiences as well. To be competitive and to win is important, but it香蕉视频直播檚 about finding that balance,香蕉视频直播� he said.
He香蕉视频直播檚 also involved with a hockey skills camp that happens in Port Alberni for four weeks every summer, so hockey is still an integral part of his life.
He remembers everything his mom, who was a single parent after his father died when he was quite young, did to make it possible for he and his siblings to enjoy the sport.
香蕉视频直播淚 know the sacrifices she made just to allow us as young children to play the game香蕉视频直播� that wasn香蕉视频直播檛 easy for her,香蕉视频直播� he said.
香蕉视频直播淪he really gave us a foundation to work from in terms of sacrifice and commitment.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播� with Peace Arch News files
tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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