TDHL featured fierce competition among many stars
The Truro Sports Heritage Society will host the 2017 Colchester Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony Nov. 10 at the Marigold Cultural Centre in Truro.
The public is invited to attend. A general reception will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at the Marigold as well as at the door.
The following local residents will be inducted: Gary McKinnon (athlete); Herb Peppard (athlete); Jennifer (Lloyd) McKenzie (athlete/builder); Doug MacKenzie (builder); Truro and District Hockey League (builder); 2010 Colleen Pinkney curling team (team).
Over the coming days the Truro Daily News will feature these talented and dedicated individuals and groups that form an important part of our local sports heritage.
Truro and District Hockey League
The Truro and District Hockey League operated from 1934 until January 1963 when fire destroyed the Truro Forum.
After construction of the Colchester Legion Stadium, the league continued in various incarnations, though not as storied as the original.
One of the true drawing cards that brought fans out in large numbers was the fierce competition among the mostly rural community based teams.
Hockey buffs and historians will remember the Brookfield Elks, Bible Hill Dairymen, North River Aces, Onslow Tom Cats, Lower Truro Maple Leafs, McClures Mills Mercurys, Hilden Owls, 16X Debert and the Shubenacadie Lions.
As a result of keen competition and fan support, the top players in the league were widely known and respected as stars.
Names such as Dennis, MacCormack, Matheson, Lynds, Butcher, Henderson, Hutchinson, MacLeod, House, MacIntyre, Hepburn, Conrad, Moore, Lynds, MacKenzie and Blair were fixtures and stalwarts of great local hockey.
Also, brother acts added to the flair and excitement, including among others Ron and Burchell MacDonald, Doug and Gerry Pender, the Ettingers, the Hendersons, and the Mathesons.
The Truro area has a proud hockey heritage. The Truro and District Hockey League for several decades provided excellent competition and excitement.
The Truro Sports Heritage Society salutes the league and is proud to induct it as a builder into the Colchester Sports Hall of Fame.