Sunday, March 27, 2011

EDMONTON OIL KINGS: Memorial Cup Champions to be Inducted

Press Release

Edmonton, AB – The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced Wednesday the 1963 and 1966 Memorial Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings will be immortalized in the hall of fame as part of the 2011 induction class.

A news conference was held on Wednesday at the Percy Page Centre in Edmonton to announced the 2011 inductees, which include the two Memorial Cup champion Oil Kings squads, as well as fellow hockey team the 1950 Edmonton Waterloo Mercurys, hockey players Val Fonteyne and Glenn Hall, and eight other athletes and builders.

"Getting inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is really an unbelievable, tremendous honour for us," said Greg Pilling, who played for the 1963 Memorial Cup championship team and was one of many former Oil Kings in attendance for Wednesday's announcement.

"There is a bond among each and every one of us who played together, and it's something you never forget. There's a really deep love for everyone who enabled these teams to come together and succeed as we did. We're deeply appreciative of the hall of fame for honouring us, and we hope we are worthy members."

The 1963 Oil Kings (pictured) captured the Abbott Cup and represented the Central Alberta Hockey League at the Memorial Cup against the Ontario Hockey Association champion Niagara Falls Flyers. The seven-game championship series was held at the Edmonton Gardens, and despite losing the first game 8-0, the Oil Kings battled back and won the series 4-2.

The 1963 Oil Kings included General Manager Leo LeClerc, Head Coach Buster Brayshaw, players Ron Anderson, Butch Barber, Tom Bend, Roger Bourbonnais, Jim Brown, Rich Bulloch, Jim Chase, Vince Downey, Jim Eagle, Bob Falkenberg, Doug Fox, Harold Fleming, Russ Kirk, Bert Marshall, Max Mestinsek, Butch Paul, Greg Pilling, Pat Quinn, Dave Rochefort, Glen Sather and Reg Tashuk, as well as trainer Walter Serediak and stick boy Swede Knox.

The Oil Kings returned to compete in the Memorial Cup final in both 1964 and 1965, but they lost to the Toronto Marlboros and Niagara Falls, respectively, before returning to glory in 1966. It was their seventh straight season playing for the national title, and their opponents this year were Bobby Orr and the Oshawa Generals. The Oil Kings once again prevailed in six games, winning the series 4-2.

The 1965 Oil Kings included General Manager Bill Hunter, Head Coach Ray Kinasewich, players Ron Anderson, Garnet Bailey, Doug Barrie, Brian Bennett, Ron Caley, Craig Cameron, Bob Falkenberg, Al Hamilton, Jim Harrison, Brian Hague, Galen Head, Ted Hodgson, Kerry Ketter, Ross Lonsberry, Jim Knox, Don McLeod, Harold Myers, Eugene Peacosh, Ross Perkins, Dave Rochefort, Ted Rogers, Jim Schraefel, Red Simpson and Ron Walters, as well as trainers Walter Serediak and Jim Mitchell, and stick boys Swede Knox and Murray Pierce.

The 1963 and 1966 Oil Kings will be officially inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, May 27 at the Capri Hotel in Red Deer.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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