KENORA, Ont. — “You’ve really got to come back in the summertime.”
We heard that phrase at least a dozen times throughout our four-day stay here in Kenora, Ont.
This year’s host of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada is perhaps best known for being a natural summer playground. Located about 200 km east of Winnipeg, cottagers flock to Lake of the Woods to fish, camp, and enjoy some of the finest sunsets in the nation.
But it became crystal clear as soon as we arrived on Wednesday afternoon that winter is a special time in this hockey-loving town.
Hockey Day signs adorned every storefront, team sweaters became everyday attire, and the iconic Kenora Thistles logo was never far away.
While out on one of Kenora’s many stunning frozen bays on Thursday, Ron MacLean—like only Ron MacLean can—remarked, “Thistle be wonderful.”
And it really was.
There were so many great hockey stories to come out of Kenora this week. Here are some of our favourites, plus a few fun takeaways.
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Kenora is a pond hockey paradise
When you’ve got as many lakes, ponds, bays and coves as Kenora, shinny is basically a part of everyday life during the winter months. (Lucky, we know.)
Nowhere was that more evident than on Black Sturgeon Lake, where Sportsnet set up the cameras near a clean sheet of ice for a Hockey Day shoot on Thursday.
Add in blue skies, ice fishing, the Stanley Cup, and a pup named Mane, and you’ve got yourself a perfect day.
Kroppy’s hockey spirit lives on
The theme of this year’s Hockey Day was tradition, so it’s only fitting that a new one was born this weekend in Kenora: the Kroppy Cup Pond Hockey Tournament.
Mention the name “Kroppy” here in Kenora, and you’ll get a warm smile and a story about his kindness in the community, especially when it came to his favourite game.
Len Kropioski was a war veteran, an integral part of the Kenora community, and the most dedicated fan of the Winnipeg Jets.
Kropioski died in September at age 98. To honour his remarkable impact on Kenora, the local Hockey Day planning committee planned the “Kroppy Cup,” which took place as a part of Saturday’s festivities.
Despite some slushy conditions from mother nature, the tournament was a huge success — and a perfect way to remember Kenora’s Kroppy.
The Alumni game is here to stay
Last year was the first edition of the Hockey Day NHL Alumni game, featuring former NHLers and Kamloops Blazers in a just-for-fun hockey showcase.
This year’s game was a true community event, as it saw local Kenora Thistles alumni hit the ice with the likes of Lanny McDonald, Darcy Tucker, Ron MacLean, Ken Reid, Mark Napier, and even Kenora native Mike Richards.
The benches were crowded, lively, and home to some of the most old-school helmets and goalie masks we’ve ever seen.
In other words, it was a perfect night of hockey.
Cassie Campbell-Pascall was behind the bench for Team McDonald, who claimed victory. (She’s now got a 2-0 coaching record!)
Despite so many old-timers and former NHL stars on the ice, there was one rookie who really stole the show…
Look out for the rookie
Not many 11-year-old kids get the chance to suit up next to NHL legends, but Dawson Lentz did exactly that on Thursday night.
Lentz and his mother, Nicole, were in attendance for the alumni game draft the night before (a new feature this year) and a last-minute cancellation opened up a roster spot on Team McDonald. Lanny kindly reached out to Dawson and, after a quick chat with mom Nicole (and a few excited tears) he was in.
“We just want him to go out and have fun. It brings a totally different element into the game,” McDonald told us a few hours before the game. “We’ll be trying to set up Dawson and make sure that he just enjoys himself, start to finish.”
It was the perfect game plan, resulting in four points from Lentz and countless memories for a hockey-loving kid and his family.
“It’s Kroppy.”
Turns out, there was a bit of magic in the air in Kenora this weekend.
While talking to Nicole Lentz about her son’s involvement in the Hockey Day festivities, Kroppy’s name came up.
“He was our neighbour,” she said. “We miss him so, so much.”
The way Lentz spoke about Kropioski, it was immediately clear how big an impact he’d had on the lives of Nicole and her three sons—not just as a neighbour but as a friend, mentor and supporter.
“My boys couldn’t have had a better cheerleader in hockey,” said Lentz. “I just wish Kroppy could be here to see this whole weekend. He would have loved every minute.”
Lentz and her son, Dawson, believe that in some way, he was there. While recounting the whirlwind of events from the week, explained Lentz, it hit them.
“I finally know why this is all happening. It’s Kroppy.”
Kenora’s hockey history runs deep
Over 100 years ago, the Kenora Thistles defeated the Montreal Wanderers in two games to win the 1907 Stanley Cup, becoming the smallest town to have ever claimed the Cup.
“The Thistles are the fastest hockeyists seen on local ice for many seasons,” the Montreal Herald wrote at the time. “Some of their work last night was simply marvelous.”
The story, as a whole, is pretty marvelous too. Take a look:
Kenora’s own Mike Richards
Kenora is proud of its hockey legacy, and Mike Richards is a large part of that.
The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Stanley Cup champion has brought the Cup home to Kenora before, during his time with the Los Angeles Kings, and he was able to do it once again this weekend. Richards was present at several community events, sharing Cup stories with kids, playing in the alumni game, and even taking part in the Kroppy Cup.
The town named a street after their NHLer, and framed photos and sweaters adorn one of the wall of the local rink.
(We even tracked down his photo in his grade 10 yearbook at Beaver Brae secondary school during a school visit.)
Hometown pride at its best:
Lanny’s moustache has spanned four decades
Lanny McDonald gets asked about his moustache often—and rightly so, when you consider the facial hair is about as legendary as the man himself.
But exactly how old is it?
43 years old. McDonald told students at Thursday’s Beaver Brae school visit that he started growing it in 1974—his rookie year.
It’s a unique ‘stache, but McDonald says there’s one player in the NHL today who could rival it:
“I think it you look at Patrick Eaves in Dallas—underrated beard. Out of control,” he told us during a Q&A later on Thursday, which also happened to be his birthday. “If he shaved off the rest of the beard, I think the moustache might be… he might be the guy.”
Bryan Trottier is a guitar hero
Most hockey fans know Brian Trottier as one of the greatest centremen to ever lace up a pair of skates. But the six-time Stanley Cup champion—seven, including a win as a coach—is also an exceptional musician.
After leaving the bench of Thursday’s alumni game, Trottier leapt to the stage and put on a show along with Dave Bidini and the Bidini Band.
Kenora, you were wonderful
From start to finish, our time in Kenora was incredible. From the wonderful hockey stories to the kind people who shared them with us, Hockey Day in Canada 2017 was truly a success.
And while at least a few of us are likely already starting to plan our summer return, we’re all heading home feeling lucky to have experienced this gorgeous hockey town in the prime of pond hockey time.
