Ed Staniowski still shines on Saturdays
Ex-Jets goaltender, Pats ambassador at head of Regina’s successful Cup bid
In the early 1980s, then-Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ed Staniowski was nicknamed “Saturday Night Eddie” for his accustomed excellence on that particular day of the week.
More than three decades later, there he was again, prominent on Hockey Night In Canada — but not in a playing capacity.
Staniowski appeared on national television this past Saturday as part of the announcement that the Regina Pats would be the host team for the 2018 Memorial Cup.
The Moose Jaw-born Staniowski was in goal for Regina when it last won the CHL title, back in 1974. But even with that accomplishment on his impressive hockey resume, his involvement with the Pats’ recent bid stands alone in his assessment.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of anything that I’ve been involved in, in the game, in 40 or 50 years,” he said. “This is tremendously exciting.”
The news was so exciting that Staniowski boarded a plane on Friday, with his ultimate destination being Regina. What is especially interesting, though, is that the journey began in Ramstein, Germany, where his wife Jessica — a Canadian Forces pilot — is stationed.
“Six or seven hours” after being notified that the Pats had gotten the nod over the Oshawa Generals and Hamilton Bulldogs, both of the OHL, Staniowski was leaving the Frankfurt airport on a plane destined for Toronto. He then made a connection to Regina in time for the Hockey Night In Canada appearance, having been able to grab a few hours’ sleep on the flights.
“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” said Staniowski, 61, whose No. 1 was retired by the Pats.
Staniowski was a natural tie-in to the bid from every perspective. In addition to being a prominent member of the Pats’ alumni, his long and successful post-hockey career in the Canadian Forces was a link to the Memorial Cup — a trophy that honours Canadian soldiers who have died in service.
The military ties extend to the Pats, who are named after the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
“Two of the biggest things in my life have been hockey — the opportunity to play junior here in Regina and to play professionally following that — and the opportunity to serve in the military,” Staniowski said.
“I’ve often said that my life was about privilege and fortune. I was
In military terms, (Regina’s Memorial Cup bid) had all the components for success.
fortunate enough to play the game and I was privileged enough to wear the Canadian Armed Forces uniform and serve in operations with some great young men and women all over the world, so it was pretty special to be on Hockey Night In Canada and be representing this organization and this city.”
Staniowski also made a connection between the Pats’ bid and the Forces’ protocol.
“In military terms, it had all the components for success,” he said. “I’ve been involved in some military stuff overseas, with some planning, and this is as good as anything I’ve seen. I would like to take the bid and use it at the staff college to teach young officers how to lead people and to have victory. It was that good.”
Now that the bid has received the CHL’s assent, Staniowski looks forward to assisting the Pats leading up to May of 2018. Distance will not be an impediment, as he has proven.
“Anything they need from me,” he said, “they’ve got it.”