Deja Blues take shot at Xmas cheer

You don’t have to be a midget, peewee or atom to play hockey; you don’t have to be a junior or midget or a pro.

Grey hair is okay, the occasional wrinkle and maybe even a little pudge around the belly — which leads us to believe that Santa himself, living in the midst of all that ice, just might be a pretty accomplished hockey player in his own right.

Here in Saskatoon, outlets abound for those wanting to keep their puck careers moving along and there’s no shortage of Christmas spirit with those hearty fellows when the season comes upon us.

The Deja Blues, who play in the Saskatoon 50-Plus Hockey League, are donating to Sporting Christmas for the 11th-straight year and they’re doing it in memory of a couple of treasured teammates.

“Each year our team and alumni come through with their generosity to share their good fortune with the needy of our city,” writes Al Gantner, who calls himself “the oldest and retiring Blue.

“We do this each year in memory of Ray Weinkauf and Lionel “Mick” Joa, two former teammates. For the last several years, thanks to the StarPhoenix, we have been able to have our donation published on the 10th of December, the anniversary of Ray’s passing. Today it is 11 years since he left us. It was three years last Feb. 10 that Mick passed away. Sadly, Wayne Weinkauf, the younger brother of Ray and Gerry, our captain, passed away on May 21 at the young age of 61. We remember him today as well. Wayne played briefly with our team. He was very grateful and proud that we were making this donation over the years in memory of his brother Ray and recently for Lionel. The Deja Blues wish all a very Merry Christmas, and hope our contribution and all contributions puts warmth and joy into people’s hearts.”

Christmas presents are stacking up in closets and under beds across Saskatoon as we prepare for the big day and making their steady migration to the tree. But the traditional Christmas celebration isn’t accessible for everybody, which is where both Sporting Christmas and the Salvation Army come in.

Every cent we raise goes to the Sally Ann and they put it to work in admirable fashion.

If you’d like to help, please visit our website at www. thestarphoenix. com/ sportingchristmas or mail or drop off your donation to: