Dave Matte remembered as star on, off ice
Goalie was MVP for Corner Brook Royals in 1986 Allan Cup run
The mere mention of Dave Matte in Corner Brook brings many minds back to the glory days of provincial senior hockey and the popular goalie who backstopped the Corner Brook Royals to their historic national championship in 1986.
Matte, who died at his home in Levack, Ont., on Sept. 9 at the age of 61, was one of many colourful hockey players who made up the team that captured the Allan Cup in British Columbia a year after coming within one victory of winning the title on home ice at Humber Gardens.
Matte, who had been named the most valuable player in the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League for the 1985-86 regular season, was also named MVP of the 1986 Allan Cup final.
Okie, as Matte was affectionately known, went on to win two more Allan Cup championships, with the Charlottetown Islanders in 1991 and with the Saint John Vito’s in 1992.
He wore jersey No. 30 on the ice — his number was retired by the Royals in 2011, but he was No. 1 with teammates like Robbie Forbes.
In a social media post after learning of his good friend’s death, Forbes called Matte “a dear friend and a kind and gentle soul” and noted how Matte overcame “brutal asthma” and poor vision when he donned his goalie gear.
“When he took the net to play a game he morphed into a Superman,” wrote Forbes.
“David was an incredible goaltender who, under different conditions, could have played at a very high level of professional hockey,” said Forbes.
More importantly to Forbes was their friendship.
“David was a good person. He was kind and generous and he had a really great sense of humour. He loved life and he loved his time in Newfoundland and he loved the people in Newfoundland.”
Matte was honoured for his hockey achievements with an induction into the Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame in 2021.
THE FANS
Jackie Delaney was among the many loyal fans of the Royals, especially the championship teams of the mid1980s.
Among her prized possessions are a painting of action from a Royals game done by her uncle, Benjie Fitzgerald, and signed by the team, including Matte.
Deep in the Saltwire Network archives is a photo of Delaney and her brother, Jamie, presenting a homemade banner they had designed to Forbes and Matte to hang in their dressing room during the 1986 Allan Cup final to remind them of the hometown support they would have on the road.
“He was a friendly gentle giant who loved the fans and Corner Brook,” said Delaney.
Other fans who recall those days have been expressing their condolences on social media.
“We loved that guy growing up …,” Trent McClellan wrote in a Facebook post. “He helped bring immense pride and joy to the city with that great team.”
“You were well worth the 3 a.m. lineups for tickets at the old Humber Gardens,” Todd Warren added on Facebook. “Thanks for the memories, Okie.”
Matte’s family said the outpouring of memories and condolences from the Corner Brook Royals and their fans means a lot.
“My sisters, Mom and I have enjoyed reading all the messages and especially the many stories of his life on the East Coast — he was a special person and will be missed,” Matte’s sister, Lisa Matte Payne, posted via Facebook.
NOT JUST A HOCKEY PLAYER
Matte’s skills were not limited to hockey.
Wayne Fitzgerald grew up around those legendary Royals teams, as his father, Tom, was a huge supporter and the team’s unofficial manager. The Fitzgerald family spent a lot of time helping the out-of-town players, such as Matte, Forbes and others.
What really caught Wayne’s eye about Matte was seeing him pitching softball in the Corner Brook senior men’s league. Fitzgerald, who went on to make a big name for himself as a good left-handed softball pitcher, was 14 the first time he saw Matte pitch.
“An elite pitcher, for sure,” recalled Fitzgerald.
“He didn’t play a lot of softball. However, the games he played, he dominated.”
Fitzgerald, who now lives in Nova Scotia, has been following the best softball pitchers at the national and world levels for years and often wonders how Matte would have fared if he had pursued the game to that degree.
“Dave could have played in any of those tournaments and been very competitive, especially with a good team behind him,” he said.
Matte, who was predeceased by his father, Ron, is survived by his mother, Joan, and three sisters.