Johnstown's Hockey History - EHL Video

Johnstown Jets fan, Tim Barndt, is at it again.

* First he gave us the Johnstown Jets Photo Album, (go to "Collections" at http://TheEHL.com) composed of photos taken by his father, Johnstown Jets and Johnstown Tribune-Democrat photographer, Robert C. Barndt.

* Then he found this Gene Peacosh Retrospective on YouTube.

* And then, last week, while going through some old VHS tapes, Tim found the Johnstown's Hockey History documentary below and uploaded it to YouTube so we can all enjoy. This is a fabulous find. Thanks once again, Tim!

Here's Tim's commentary on the video...
It is a half-hour WJAC video about the history of hockey in Johnstown. I believe it was produced in 1990 or so. I think someone at Channel 6 sent it to my Dad back then, making the tape I have around 20 years old. There are pictures and video of the old Jets, along with the Bluebirds, Wings, and Chiefs. A couple of interesting clips are John Brophy mugging a Jet during play around 6:20 into the video and, probably the most unique footage, I think it is longtime Trainer/Equipment Manager/Backup Goalie Ken "Gunner" Garrett in a suit as some function around 8:53.
Just some fun information I thought you might be interested in. Enjoy!



YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhxRR6mdtbs

Golf Hole Dedicated to Johnstown Jets' Don Hall

From Mike Mastovich in today's Johnstown Tribune-Democrat.

Sunnehanna notebook: Club honors legendary golfer

JOHNSTOWN — On most days, Don Hall’s number is 9.

His nickname, Jet 9, was given to Hall based on his prolific 11-season hockey career with the Johnstown Jets.

Wearing No. 9, Hall scored 393 goals and 978 points from 1951 to 1962 and is among a group of four players in Johns-town’s lengthy pro hockey history to have his jersey retired.

But 5 also is a special number to Hall.

Sunnehanna Country Club dedicated the par-3 No. 5 hole to Hall during a banquet on Wednesday, the eve of the 58th Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions.

Teeing off

What: 58th Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions.

When: Beginning at 8 a.m. (see tee times on B3).

Where: Sunnehanna Country Club, Westmont.

Field: A record 75 entries will look to win one of amateur golf’s biggest tournaments.

Twitter: @masty81.

Hall’s golfing resume is filled with superlatives, too. In fact, he’s had five career holes-in-one, with four of those aces coming on the fifth hole at Sunnehanna. He even made two holes-in-one on No. 5 in one week during 1983.

“It’s a great honor,” said Hall, 81, who participated in the Roger McManus Amateur Sponsor championship on a hot and humid Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s sweet being the fifth hole because I’ve had four holes-in-one there.

“If you look at the people who have been honored before, it’s a who’s who of golf at Sunnehanna. To be included in that group is certainly a great honor.”

Brian "Butch" MacKay - Greensboro Generals and US National Team

The last few weeks, I've been collecting articles about the 1962 US World Championships. The Canadian team had EHLers Butch Martin (Johnstown), and future EHLer Bobby Brown (Johnstown, Long Island, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Jersey). The US team had EHLers Don Hall & Dick Roberge (Johnstown), Reggie Meserve (Philadelphia), Gord Tottle (Charlotte) and the Greensboro Generals defenseman and captain, Brian "Butch" MacKay. These articles are posted on the EHL Discussion Boards http://theehl.yuku.com/topic/71/EHL-stars-at-the-1962-WORLD-CHAMPIONSHIPS As you read through, you'll see that the EHLers, including MacKay represented the U.S. and Canada well.

Butch MacKay was one of a handful of Troy Bruins (IHL), who stayed with the team when they became the nucleus of the EHL Greensboro Generals in 1959, along with Pat Kelly, Don Carter, and Max Szturm. The first year Kelly was team captain, with MacKay an alternate. The next three years MacKay was team captain, until his retirement after the Generals won the EHL Championship in 1962-63 to work at a meat packing company in Greensboro. MacKay was a high-scoring, yet rugged defenseman, as the article on the right would suggest - and that's before he entered the EHL. He was an EHL 2nd-team All-Star in 1960-61.

The photo below is from a game at Clinton on November 7, 1962. MacKay, #2, has the "C".
The program cover is from the Generals first season, with MacKay wearing the "A".





















Butch MacKay's Obituary from the Greensboro News & Record, May 19, 2011
http://obituaries.news-record.com/obituaries/news-record/obituary.aspx?n=brian-edward-mackay-butch&pid=151134587&fhid=6071

Brian Edward "Butch" MacKay Sr. Visit Guest Book

GREENSBORO — Brian Edward "Butch" MacKay, Sr., 78, passed away on May 17, 2011 at Moses Cone Hospital.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Westminster Gardens Cemetery with Father John Eckert officiating.
A native of Montreal, Canada, Brian was born September 29, 1932 to the late Louis Edward Turner MacKay and Agnus Brady MacKay. He was self-employed and worked in the beverage industry.
Butch MacKay's stats at hockeydb.com:
http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=12768

Johnstown Jets' Don Hall and Reg Kent to be at Charity Hockey Game

http://tribune-democrat.com/sports/x1414111658/Stars-coming-out-for-charity-hockey-game
Stars coming out for charity hockey game
by Mike Mastovich , The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA, May 23, 2010

JOHNSTOWN — Two all-star rosters are shaping up for the Johnstown Chiefs alumni hockey game that will be played as part of the Ziggy’s Fundraiser event on June 5 at Planet Ice.

The alumni game will headline a special evening that includes a silent auction, food and drink as part of a $50 donation to benefit Dave “Ziggy” Zeigler, who recently was diagnosed with brain cancer.

“Ziggy” is one of the most recognizable and well-liked figures in the region’s hockey scene. He operated the pro shop at Cambria County War Memorial for many years before starting his own business, Ziggy’s, across the street from the arena. Zeigler assisted both the Chiefs and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins equipment staffs and was on the ice for the Pens’ Stanley Cup-winning celebration last year...

...Johnstown Hockey Hall of Famer Don Hall and Reg Kent, who had his No. 7 retired next to Hall’s No. 11, are two former prolific scorers with the Jets who will participate in the event. So will former Chiefs coach Frank Anzalone.

The doors at Planet Ice will open at 6 p.m. on June 5. For more information, call 262-RINK or visit www.ziggysfundraiser.org.

Photo: Don Hall 1959

50 Years ago this week - Clinton Comets Finish First in EHL

From today's Utica Observer-Dispatch, This Week In History ....
The Clinton Comets win the Eastern Hockey League pennant. Last year, the team finished in last place. Players include Fern Bernaquez (5), Norm Defelice (1) (league’s leading goalie), Tim Hook (6), Dick Wray (league’s top scorer)(9), Leon Bouchard (3), Angie Defelice (8), Gordon “Spider” Brown (12), Jerry Stringle (14), Mike Kardask 2), Ed Calhoun(5), Rudy Balone (4), Doug MacPhee (11) and Willie Pawchuk (10). They’re coached by Bill Watson (7).

The Comets went on to win the 1959 EHL Championship, beating the Johnstown Jets in the finals.

An article in the April 8, 1959 Oneonta Star states:

Except for the use of 'Al "Nipper" O'Hearn and John Lehner as temporary subslitutes for ailing regulars, the Cornets closed the season with the same 14 players they started with last October.

The March 1, 1959 Utica Observer states that it was actually Ed Giacomin, Washington's 19-year-old backup goalie, who played for the Comets in a 2-1 loss against the Lions, who had O'Hearn in net.

Also, the 1959 EHL All-Star Teams were announced on Mar 9 :

First Team:
Dick Wray - LW - Clinton
Billy Watson - C - Clinton
Dick Roberge - RW - Johnstown
Gordon Tottle - D - Charlotte Clippers
Moose Lallo - D - Washington Presidents (tie)
Steve Brklacich - D - Johnstown (tie)
Leon Bouchard - D - Clinton (tie)
Norm DeFelice - G - Clinton

Second Team:
Don Hall - LW - Johnstown
Don Davidson - C - New Haven
Doug Adam - RW - Philadelphia
(Since there were 4 1st team Defensemen, the 2nd team was considered filled.)
Jim Shirley - G - Johnstown