by Bob  Dawson,

 

CARDBIZ: OTTAWA, ONTARIO – While hockey is Canada’s game, it’s more than just a game. According to Roch Carrier, “Hockey is also the history of Canadians. History not celebrated, is history denied.

 

February marked the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada and the 40th anniversary of Black History Ottawa (BHO). In support of the month, the NHL’s Ottawa Senators hosted a Black History Appreciation Night on January 25th during their home game against the Vegas Knights.

 

Prior to the game, Susan Lucas, whose great uncle St. Clair “Pansy” Byard played with the Truro Sheiks of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHLM) in 1930 and David Godwin, a junior hockey player with the Aylmer Hockey Association, participated in the ceremonial puck drop. On the same night, Nina Alleyne, a volunteer coach with the African Hockey Association, was honoured by the Senators Community Foundation as the Community Champion for Hockey.

BHO, in partnership with the Senators, held the Annual Commemorative Hockey Game on February 20th to honour the legacy of the CHLM. Eager to serve and defend Canada in the First World War, a number of the men who played in the league also served with the segregated unit known as the No. 2 Black Construction Battalion in Europe.

Jacqueline Belsito, President of the Ottawa Senators Community Foundation, participated in the puck drop ceremony along with Rear Admiral Jacques P. Olivier and Robert Downey, whose great uncle James Ivan “Tude” Talbot played in the CHLM with the Truro Victorias/Sheiks and was a member of the No. 2 Black Construction Battalion.

For last month’s game, the teams represented the CHLM’s Truro Victorias and New Glasgow Speed Boys. Whereas the 5th Canadian Division’s 4 Engineering Support Regiment (4 ESR) in Gagetown, NB, is the designated Battle Honour Group for the No. 2, several players who were members of the 4 ESR were invited to play in the Commemorative Hockey Game.

New Glasgow Speed Boys

Coaches: Jackie Dixon and Paul Blackmore
Goal: Aubrey Haynes
Defense: Vianney Calixte, David Godwin, Ian Madden, Dawson Reid, Roger Renwick, Isaac Taylor
Centre: Einard Jean-Francois, Sean Murphy, Nick Semanyk
Right Wing: Cpl. Tanner Boutilier, Jeff Edwards, Shane Williams
Left Wing: Sgt. Russell Howe, Malcom Shaw, Kevin Williams

Truro Victorias

Coaches: Sean Foyn and Emma Weller
Goal: Fitzroy Reid
Defense: Bob Dawson, Kevin Dutrevil, Jacob McIsaac, Howard Miller, Nick Ngwafusi, MCpl. Michael Turner
Centre: MCpl. Robbie Bonthron, Kwesi Bourne, Bryce Emery,
Right Wing: Jaedon Major-Browne, Devon Reid, Harley Shaw,
Left Wing: Nicholas Beckett, Chris Evelyn, Brad Peak

By all accounts, the hockey game was a fast paced and entertaining one with the Truro Victorias winning 9 to 8. The “3 Stars of the Game” were MCpl. Robbie Bonthron (Truro Victorias), Nick Ngwafusi (Truro Victorias) and Sean Murphy (New Glasgow Speed Boys). Maj. Matthew Trail of the 4 ESR/ 6th Canadian Combat Support Brigade, took part in the post-game presentation of certificates of participation.

To view the game 

 

 

and 

 

Associated Links

The First World War and Black Hockey in The Maritimes..
Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes National Historic Event…