Hockey Hounds finally celebrate 50 years of service

It took two years but the Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds association finally celebrated its history.

The local organization dedicated to the promotion and development of hockey in Medicine Hat and area held its 50th anniversary celebration this weekend after having to put it on hold for two years.

The Hockey Hounds officially reached 50 years of service in 2020 but were not able to host a gathering then or in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Committee Chairman Harold Leitch said it was a great day of celebration with members from each era.

“We had some of the original members come and their wives,” Leitch said. “Morley Mullin was the one that started it but he has since passed, so his wife Judy was in attendance. We’re living Morley’s dream right now and we’re still going after for 52 years.”

The invitation was extended to all past or present Hounds to participate in either a ninehole round of golf or take a trip through the newly re-opened Winery in Maple Creek. Leitch took part in the tour as he’s not a golfer. He said Saturday wasn’t just about reflecting and celebrating the first 50 years of service but was also about looking forward to the next 50 years.

Dale Fuller was also in attendance Saturday and agreed with Leitch about looking toward the next 50 years of Hockey Hounds service.

“We have some picture books that have a bunch of stuff in them that we bought and a lot of people looked at that when the club first started,” Fuller said.

As they head into their 52nd year, Fuller said they are always welcoming new

Hounds and he encouraged anyone interested in helping promote and develop hockey in Medicine Hat and area to visit hockeyhounds.ca to sign up.