CHL alumni game brings back memories for ex-Spitfires

The memories and stories flowed back for players and fans alike.

Saturday’s Canadian Hockey League alumni game had a heavy complement from the Windsor Spitfires’ Memorial Cup championship teams in 2009 and 2010.

“That was fun,” Spitfires president and former head coach Bob Boughner said after the game. “I think it was great for the fans. They got to see a lot of their guys they got to watch play for me. That was satisfying, to give the fans a little treat and raise money for charity.”

Boughner was also happy to have time to share memories with former players, coaches and other legends from the Spitfires’ past as well as other former CHL standouts.

“I was crying in the room with the stories,” Boughner said. “We had some good laughs and that was the good part for us.”

For some players, Saturday’s game was the chance for a victory lap. Many won a Memorial Cup title with the Spitfires in Rimouski, Que. or Brandon, Man., but never got a chance to soak in a last skate at the WFCU Centre.

“Whenever you get to relive past glory, it’s an opportunity I jumped at,” former Spitfires goalie Andrew Engelage said. “I was really excited to come back and to see all the old teammates is great.”

While those championship teams became legends with local fans, many of those players were happy to glide on the ice with players they view as legends of the game.

“It’s kind of surreal being on the ice with some of these guys that are at the next level and doing the things they do,” former Spitfires winger Dale Mitchell said. “It’s kind of fun and an honour to have this opportunity.”

Not everyone on the ice got a chance to raise the Memorial Cup or skate in a league final, but Windsor continues to hold a special place for each of them.

“I’m forever a Windsor Spitfires fan,” said former Spitfires centre Josh Bailey, who now plays for the New York Islanders. “It’s great to see the success.”

Bailey was supposed to be a cornerstone on the 2008-09 championship team, but was selected in the first round of the NHL Draft by the Islanders and immediately made the jump to pro hockey.

He missed a chance to raise the Memorial Cup, but never severed his ties to the club. He was on the bench cheering when the club secured the OHL title that season.

“I got a chance to live my dream and play in the NHL and I don’t regret that year for a second, but then you see your buddies and teammates having a great season and having great success,” Bailey said.

“Certainly, part of that, you wonder and have time to think what you’re missing, but at that point I was just happy to be a fan and root for these guys.”