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. 含羞草研究社� 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.
含羞草研究社淚t was a tremendous experience. Any time you含羞草研究社檙e representing your country is a very proud moment,含羞草研究社� he said.
Paterson found out less than two weeks ago that he would be one of this year含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社檇 caught up about what each had been up to and chatted about their grandchildren, when Hughson let him know the purpose of the call.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 calling you as good friend and chair of the (BCHHF) board advising you that you含羞草研究社檙e being inducted into the BCHHF,含羞草研究社� Hughson told Paterson.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 very, very humbling. I含羞草研究社檓 very proud and very reflective, based on what it represents 含羞草研究社� 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.含羞草研究社�
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Back in 1980, Olympic hockey teams were comprised of college and junior (amateur) players, he noted, which meant 含羞草研究社� as a 23-year-old goaltender for the UBC Thunderbirds 含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社� at locales all over the globe 含羞草研究社� but served as the team含羞草研究社檚 third goaltender at the tournament, which meant he wasn含羞草研究社檛 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, 含羞草研究社淒o you believe in miracles?!含羞草研究社� when the U.S. won the semifinal game.
The U.S. eventually got the gold medal with a win over Finland in the final.
含羞草研究社淚t wasn含羞草研究社檛 optimal 含羞草研究社� I really wanted to play 含羞草研究社� but it was still pretty cool,含羞草研究社� said Paterson, who was in the building for the famous game, and called it 含羞草研究社渋ncredible.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 5含羞草研究社�6含羞草研究社� nowadays you have to be 6含羞草研究社�5含羞草研究社�,含羞草研究社� he pointed out.
含羞草研究社淭he goaltending was more angles and reactionary and quickness,含羞草研究社� Paterson said.
含羞草研究社淭he position has changed a lot 含羞草研究社� and, I think, for the better 含羞草研究社� I really marvel at these goaltenders today at how they stop the puck. It含羞草研究社檚 been fun to watch the transition. It was certainly a lot different then then it was today含羞草研究社� I remember we would practise for the Olympics twice a day and the pads would be soaking wet and heavy afterward.含羞草研究社�
Still, he 含羞草研究社渉as nothing but fond memories含羞草研究社� of those days and enjoys the 含羞草研究社渞ich experiences and friendships that remain very special.含羞草研究社�
PATERSON INTO THE HALL!
含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社� a major sponsor of the national program 含羞草研究社� 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.
含羞草研究社淭hey含羞草研究社檝e always been involved in the game as well and the family business含羞草研究社� I含羞草研究社檓 very honoured to see them grow and develop it. Hockey and hospitality have been a big part of my life,含羞草研究社� he said.
As owner of the White Rock Whalers, now in their fifth year 含羞草研究社� and up 3-1 in a playoff series against the Richmond Sockeyes (as of Thursday morning, March 2) 含羞草研究社� 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.
含羞草研究社淲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含羞草研究社檚 about finding that balance,含羞草研究社� he said.
He含羞草研究社檚 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.
含羞草研究社淚 know the sacrifices she made just to allow us as young children to play the game含羞草研究社� that wasn含羞草研究社檛 easy for her,含羞草研究社� he said.
含羞草研究社淪he really gave us a foundation to work from in terms of sacrifice and commitment.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社� with Peace Arch News files
tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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