67’s unveil Kilrea legacy wall
Legendary coach at heart of tribute mural celebrating club’s first 50 years
If fans of the Ottawa 67’s ever needed a reason to stretch their legs between periods and walk the upper concourse at the Civic Centre — er, The Arena at TD Place — they have it now.
In barely more than the length of a sheet of ice, fans can get a taste of the 50-year history of the storied franchise with nostalgia you can’t find anywhere else.
Naturally, the story begins with a legendary coach, then moves on to some of the many greats who have worn Barber Poles since the club’s inception in 1967.
The 67’s unveiled Thursday the Brian Kilrea Legacy Wall, a 300foot mural on the north wall in the arena concourse, featuring Kilrea and 67’s players and teams from over the years to kick start the team’s 50th anniversary celebration.
“Even when I’m long gone, this is going to leave memories of the first 50 years that I was a part of,” said Kilrea, who thinks he still has the two sports coats he’s wearing in pictures from the 1970s.
“Some of the kids today don’t really know who Brian Kilrea is. Some people might wonder, ‘Who is Brian Kilrea?’
“But maybe some day they might take a walk up and say, ‘Geez, he was here a long time’ or something.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea to embrace the history of the Ottawa 67’s.”
The 67’s also took advantage of the unveiling to announce plans to honour one of the all-time great 67’s by retiring the No. 44 worn by Brian Campbell during his four seasons with the franchise during the 1990s.
But the event was all about the first 50 years and Kilrea was such a part of that history after taking what was really his first coaching job in 1974-75 — that’s if you discount a season in Alta Vista Minor Hockey thanks to strong recommendation by wife Judy at registration night, another year coaching the Ottawa West Golden Knights bantams and, finally, an Ottawa District Championship season coaching the South Ottawa midgets.
“Killer is the only individual with this organization who spans all five decades,” 67’s governor Jeff Hunt said.
“He’s written 67’s history in all five decades of the franchise.
“We wanted to do something special to honour Brian and make sure future generations of players and fans understand all he did to build our franchise and make it great. A legacy wall in the arena seemed like the perfect way to do it.”
Just half of the wall was ready for the unveiling but the entire project by the design agency Social will be ready to view for the home opener when past legends from that first decade like Pierre Jarry, Blake Dunlop and Bryan McSheffrey lead about 20 former players in pre-game ceremonies.
The 67’s will honour each of their five decades with five special games, and also mark the 50th anniversary of the first game at the then-Civic Centre on Dec. 29.