Malc
10-28-2008, 02:08 PM
The Kelowna Rockets will step back in time to honour one of the city’s most storied sports teams.
During their Nov. 12 game vs the Vancouver Giants, the Rockets will celebrate the legacy of the Kelowna Packers senior men’s hockey team.
The Packers will be the first inductees into the newly-formed Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Packers appearance in the Allan Cup finals as well as their trip to Sweden and Russia to represent Canada in international competition.
The Packers were the first Canadian team to ever skate on Russian ice and paved the way for the 1972 Summit Series.
To mark the occasion, the Rockets will wear authentic replicas of the Packers jersey from 1958.
The game-worn jerseys will be available through a silent auction with proceeds going to the new COSHA.
“The Packers are a huge part of the rich hockey history in Kelowna and as an organization we feel very fortunate to be part of such a special event,” said Kelowna Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton. “When you look back to the great Canada/Russia series over the years, this team really were the pioneers of what would become some of the most anticipated hockey events in the history of international sport.”
Eighteen of the 23 members of the 1958 Packers are expected to be in attendance for the Nov. 12 game: Andy McCallum, Harry Smith, Bill Jones, Jim Middleton, Bill Swarbrick, Joe Kaiser, Brian Roche, Marv Edwards, Ewait Sapinsky, Mike Durban, Fred Dunsmore, Pat Coburn, Gerry Goyer, Russ Kowalchuk, Gordon (Mo)Young, Tom Stecyk, Greg Jablonski and Romi Ito.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/sports/33290474.html
During their Nov. 12 game vs the Vancouver Giants, the Rockets will celebrate the legacy of the Kelowna Packers senior men’s hockey team.
The Packers will be the first inductees into the newly-formed Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Packers appearance in the Allan Cup finals as well as their trip to Sweden and Russia to represent Canada in international competition.
The Packers were the first Canadian team to ever skate on Russian ice and paved the way for the 1972 Summit Series.
To mark the occasion, the Rockets will wear authentic replicas of the Packers jersey from 1958.
The game-worn jerseys will be available through a silent auction with proceeds going to the new COSHA.
“The Packers are a huge part of the rich hockey history in Kelowna and as an organization we feel very fortunate to be part of such a special event,” said Kelowna Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton. “When you look back to the great Canada/Russia series over the years, this team really were the pioneers of what would become some of the most anticipated hockey events in the history of international sport.”
Eighteen of the 23 members of the 1958 Packers are expected to be in attendance for the Nov. 12 game: Andy McCallum, Harry Smith, Bill Jones, Jim Middleton, Bill Swarbrick, Joe Kaiser, Brian Roche, Marv Edwards, Ewait Sapinsky, Mike Durban, Fred Dunsmore, Pat Coburn, Gerry Goyer, Russ Kowalchuk, Gordon (Mo)Young, Tom Stecyk, Greg Jablonski and Romi Ito.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/kelownacapitalnews/sports/33290474.html