The Stoneham Trip

The First "International" Hockey Game

As far as I know, this was the first time that a hockey team had ever made the trip from our neck of the woods (Yarmouth, NS) to the United States (Stoneham, MA). For most of us, it was the first time we had ever been away from home. (The second time for some, having gone to Boston previously to see an NHL game). At any rate, it was tremendously exciting. I believe that we actually won the game, but it would not have mattered one way or the other.

Later on, the team from Stoneham returned the favour and travelled to our home turf. It's funny how I have absolutely no memory of that particular game however.

1960s Peewee team in Stoneham

The little guy next to me, with the "C" on his sweater, was my cousin, Bruce. We were the same age, grew up together, competed over every little thing and, in the end, loved each other fiercely. He was perhaps the best skater and hockey player with whom we were ever lucky enough to share space on this small and amazing planet. I loved Bruce and I hated God when he recalled the little son of a bitch. I miss him everyday.

Acknowledgement time: time to fess up and tell you that I lifted the above picture off the net. (Only because I can't find my own copy of the ancient artifact, of course). Any way, I offer my humble thanks to Bill Mahoney (front row, 5th from the left).