History on side of co-operation

Past interactions involving NHL teams, Summerside, O’Leary needs to be part of present conversation

The excitement of O’Leary being named Kraft Hockeyville may seem to be diminished by not hosting the NHL game in O’Leary.

Having once been involved in the ‘Up West–Summerside’ rivalry, I wondered how I would react to such a decision.

Maybe at the time, my reaction would not have been as gracious as the present organizing committee, considering their enormous efforts to date.

A review of past interactions involving NHL teams and Summerside and O’Leary needs to be part of the present conversation.

A similar effort by a lot of volunteers secured the Philadelphia Flyers training camp in 1992.

Interesting is this fact. It is that the camp almost went to Summerside despite the concept was nurtured up west.

John Blackwell, then assistant GM with the Flyers came for an initial site visit to O’Leary, which was in the process of putting some final touches on their new rink.

The major work was completed, with a fabulous ice surface, but some of the details needed to be finished off.

Sensing the Flyers not completely satisfied, we went to Cahill Stadium and showed off that venue in which these details were addressed.

A more positive reaction from Blackwell.

Not wanting to loose the opportunity for O’Leary, an emergency plan was put in place, orchestrated by then O’Leary rink manager Mike Vokey.

Back to O’Leary where we were met by Vokey and Harry Dean with a table full of products to be used to finish the rink to the detail required — rubber flooring and dressing room details.

The rest is history. Summerside was gracious.

Another one of possible reluctant co-operation was exemplified when Doug MacLean brought the Florida Panthers to Summerside.

Doug as we all know is a proud Summerside native who was just coming off the great playoff run with the Panthers the season prior.

Possibly encouraged by the Flyer success and being a hometown boy, he wanted to bring the Panthers to Summerside.

The Cahill was a suitable facility, however there was a large convention booked for the town and there were no accommodations available.

Much to the chagrin of Doug and Billy Schurman, Mill River was satisfactory to the Flyers so why not the Panthers.

Arrangements made and the camp took place on the ice in Summerside, while accommodated in Mill River.

Both areas benefitted. Subsequently the following year, the Ottawa Senators held an on ice session in O’Leary and stayed in Mill River.

So after some thought it’s a good decision to host the game in Summerside in their great facility because history is on the side in co-operation when it comes to the NHL