The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 17

Comics Want Ads Sports Radio The Evening Citizen Pages 17 to 32 OTTAWA, CANADA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1948 Second Section Olympic Hockey Team Is The Toast Of All Canada Today A Message Of Welcome Thumbnail Sketches Of The Champions Things Looked Dark Not So Long Ago 42 Games Played Overseas Mine Of The Player Pin Conch And Trainer Come From Homes In Ottawa And District Record Of 31 Winn, 6 Ties And 5 Losses Here are thumbnail sketches of the Royal Canadian Air Force Flyers, Olympic ho Imrnpions who returned to Ottawa today after a successful exhibition tour following their Olympic triumph; Murrav flnnrv CJnal-l enrier. Early Defeat In Exhibition Games Left Many In Doubt As To Qualifications Of Flyers By Jack Hoffman Royal Canadian Air Force Flyers are back home today the toast of the country after bringing back the Olympic hockey championship to Canada, but the picture wasn't nearly so bright not so very long ago. A fellow doesn't have to go too far back down memory lane to recall a series of events that promised to make it a rather unhappy Christmas for practically everyone concerned with the Dominion's Olympic hockey entry. Minister of National Defence The record of RCAF in their long and strenuous series of games during their overseas stay will si-ahd up favorably in any kind of hockey compa.iy. Since that first game in the Old Country, on Jan.

16th. when they shook the kinks out of their hockey legs by holding Strea-tham to a 5-5 tie. the Olympic champions have played a total of 42 games and the records show only five defeats. They won 31 and tied six while dropping five starts and It is easy to understand that some of the boys are weary of hockey and anxious to forget puck-chasing until next season. They have been on the road three months since Jan.

8th. the day their train pulled out of Union Station, and they have had few idle days in a hockey sense. The complete record of the Flyers in all overseas games is as follows Exhibition Games Before Olympics Jan. 16 RCAF. Streat-ham, 5.

Jan. 19 RCAF, Brighton Tigers. 6 Jan. 21 Parts Racing Club, RCAF. 3.

Jan. 23 RCAF, Swiss, 3. Jan. 25 Swiss. RCAF.

5. Jan. 27 RCAF, 10; Swiss, Welcome home R.C.A.F. Flyers! All of Canada and particularly your comrades In the Armed Forces are proud of the fine record you made in winning the Olympic Games. Reports from abroad showed that everywhere your good sportsmanship and conduct carried higher the name of Canada.

OlMiipic Game Jan. 30 RCAF. 3: Sweden, 1. Feb. 1 RCAF, Britain, Defence Minister Claxton Sends Greetings To The Champions "Buck" Boucher Was Great Help Ab Renaud Forward.

Age 27, weight 165. Ab has played all his junior and. senior hockey in Ottawa and District. He lives at 353 Whitby avenue. He starred as a junior with the local Canadiens and his timely goals have highlighted the Olympic team's tour.

He is another of the Burghs. Ted Hibberd Age 21, weight 150. Ted, one of the Burgh men picked up by the Olympic team, lives at 25 Crichton street in New Edinburgh. He has played all his hockey, junior and senior, in the Capital and always has been a consistent marksman. Reg Schroeter Age 26, weight 160.

Reg lives at 232 Cooper street. He is another of the Burgh contributions made by Coach Arnie Morrison and Manager Cecil Duncan. He played junior hockey in the Capital and performed With the RCAF team at Souris, in 1943. George Mara Age 26. weight 180.

George came to the Flyers from Toronto along with Wally Haider and Murray Dowey -Alien the word went out that tne Olympic team had to be strengthened. He played with the Junior Marlboros in Toronto in 1940-41 and was in the senior OHA with Toronto teams from 1941 to 1946. He attended the Ranters' farm school in 1043 and was one of the Flyers big guns in the Olympic championship march. Sgt. Frank Boucher coach.

Well known member of a well known Ottawa athletic family, Frank is a son of George "Buck" Boucher, coach of the qshl title-winning Senators, and a nephew of Frank Boucher, coach of New York Rangers in the NHL. Young Frank has a fine hockey career on his own, having played his junior hockey here, as well as some senior: later he starred with New York Rovers and was in professional ranks with Philadelphia and Providence teams. He is in the equipment accounts section of the RCAF. Sqdn. Ldr.

A. (i. Watson Manager. Known to everyone as Sqdn. Ldr.

Watson is senior medical officer at RCAF Headquarters. He hails from Hamilton and was manager of the RCAF Headquarters team that won the Oltawa area inter-service hockey title in the 1946-47 season. In the 1945-46 season, while overseas, "Sandy" managed an RCAF team that toured the continent. Frank Boucher played on that team and Ihc airmen opposed many of the players whom they met recently in the Olympic Games. He is entitled to considerable credit for the success enjoyed by the Olympic champions.

Cpl. George McFaul Trainer. Most of the athletes in this city know George. He has been round port in Ottawa for years and has trained many of the Capital's championship aggregations, particularly junior teams. He is a brother of Jimmy McFaul, who was middle wing with Ottawa Trojans when they won the Ontario Rugby Football Union crown last I a II Feb.

2 RCAF. 15. Poland, 0. Feb. 3 RCAF.

21; Italy, I. Feb 5 RCAF. 12; U.S., 3. Feb. 6 RCAF.

Czechs, 0. Feb. 7 RCAF, 12; Austria, Feb. 8 RCAF, Swiss, 0. A McGill University hockey team, lined up to oppose the official unveiling of the Flyers on an Olympic Hockey Night program at the Auditorium hero threw a bombshell into the entire Canadian Olympic hockey scene by tossing a 7-0 shutout at the Flyers.

Sports writers across the country had a field day, and the men who had been. and still were working so tirelessly in an effort to line up a contending team had a hatful of headaches. The scribes, in grn-eral, came up with two suggestions. A few of them wanted Canada to withdraw from the Olympic hockey games, while even more insisted that, if the country was to compete in the hockey at St. Moritz, Switzerland, the air force team should be scrapped and a university team selected.

More Grier That pasting at the hands of McGill came on Saturday, Dec. 13th, and hockey fans everywhere spent the next 72 hours picking the Flyers, the air force, the CAHA and everyone concerned with the Olympic plan, apart. And there was no relief only additional headaches when the Flyer-bowed to Bill Cowley's Army team in an Ottawa Senior Association fixture, 6-2. The Flyers looked bad both nights, but out of a meeting held immediately after the game a conference that started at 11 o'clock and lasted until nearly two o'clock the next morning came the plans and arrangements to build the Flyers into the team that went to St. Moritz, Switzerland, and failed to lose a single game in the Olympic competition.

The late Norman Dawe. vice-president of the CAHA, represented his association at the game and the meeting. A silent man, not given to popping-off. Mr. Dawe showed no signs of panic as he emerged from the meeting after conferring with Selection Coach George "Buck" Boucher, Team Ccach Sgt.

Frank Boucher, Team Manager Sqdn. Ldr. A. G. -Sandy" Watson and Air Commodore Dave MacKeli.

Agree Help Was Needed Yes, they were going to strengthen the team, Mr. Dawe told newspapermen who were rtgarets and awaiting an announcement In the Auditorium lobby. No, he could not say just who the club would add to its lineup but it was agreed the Airmen could get some help on their own while the CAHA was planning to help out with two or three players. Mr. Dawe admitted Hint defensive strength was required but it was about all he could say then and there.

Air Commodore MacKeli, who had done such a tremendous job from the day that the RCAF was named as Canada's Olympic hockey In celebrating the success enjoyed by Canada's Olympic hockey champions, Royal Canadian Air Force officials and hockey fans in general are not likely to overlook the important role played by George "Buck" Boucher. The man who guided Oltawa Senators to the Quebec Senior Hockey League championship this winter took time out considerable time last fall to help build another title-winning ice aggregation in the Flyers. It was back on October 21st that an official RCAF announce ment carried the information that "Buck" Boucher would serve as "selection coach" in Canada, with son Frankie in the role of coach once the Olympic hockeyists pulled out of the Capital. It was a wise move and a popular one with most fans after rumors and reports had mentioned "Red" Dutton and others as likely choices. Long On Experience The true facts of the case are that "Buck" Boucher was the RCAF and CAHA choice from the drop of the hat.

Both or- Entering Air Force Team Was Sandy Watson's Idea Exhibition Games After Olympics Feb. 11 RCAF. 18; Arosa. 4. Feb.

12 RCAF, Zurich, 6 Feb 14 RCAF, 12; Lau-aane. 3. Feb. 15 RCAF. 5: Bern.

2. Feb. 17 RCAF. Czechs, 3. Feb.

19 RCAF, 3. Czechs, 3 Feb. 20 RCAF, Brno, 3. Feb. 21 Reds, Blues, 3.

(at Prague). Feb. 23 RCAF, Slovaks, 3. Feb. 24 RCAF, Czechs, Feb.

26 RCAF, Bohemia. 2. Feb. 29 RCAF. Czechs.

4. March 3 Scotland, RCAF, I. March 8 RCAF, Paris, 3. March 7 RCAF, Dutch, 1. March 10 RCAF, Aik Club.

0. March 11 RCAF, Soer-talie 2. I Sweden 1 ganlzations relt he was the proper man for the job but wanted to get several matters straightened out before making the official announcement. Buck did a grand job from start, to finish. They threw more than 60 hockey players and would-be hockeyists at him during the trials and he gave them as much attention as possible under the circumstances Time was an important element.

The team had to be selected and operated as a unit for a time before sailing early in January. The 17 athletes selected by Buck did not measure up to requirements, but you can take it for granted that the selection coach accomplished his end of it. He came up with the best 17 players among the group. He worked with them until the day the team left Ottawa. He COaCh4Ml mill adviser! I hem straightened them out on various matters and he is entitled to a great deal of credit.

Air Commodore MacKell's Help "Buck" freely admits the cooperation and help he got from the RCAF was an important factor in those days when he was Rreel ing hockey players dally and attempting to sort them out. Air Commodore D. E. "Dave" MacKeli, deputy a 1 member for personnel, gave the selection coach a free hand, encouraged him and stood behind him. Age 22, weight 155.

Murray starred with Barker's team in the Toronto Mercantile League before Joining the Olympic squad. He was a last-minute replacement for Dick Ball, who was unable to make the overseas trip for medical reasons. He joined the Olympic party the dHy before the learn lelt Ottawa. He returned to Toronto shortly after the Olympic competition. His shut-out goal-tending in the Olympic Games was little short of amazing and it was his remarkably low goals-against total that helped bring the Olympic hockey crown back to Canada.

Cpl. Ross King Goal tender. Arc 28, weight 155. Portace la Prnlrle. is Robs' home.

He played junior hockey with Portage Terriers and was stationed at Whitehorse in the Yukon before becoming a member of the Olypmic team. Fit. Sgt. Louis Lecompte Defence. Age 33, weight 185.

Louis is an Ottawa boy, whose home is 94 Grove avenue. A photographer, he has been in the RCAF since 1935. He is stationed at Victoria Island here and years ago was a promising figure in the local hockey picture. FO Frank Dunster Defence. Age 26.

weight 160. Frank's home is Woodroffe but he played hockey in Ottawa. He starred in school hockey with St. Patrick's College teams and was operating at the blue line with Burglis in the Ottawa Senior Hockey Association when he was tafcen on with the Olympic team. Frank recently re-enlisted in the RCAF as a navigator.

Andre Iapcrrlrrc Defence. Ae 22, weight 170. Andre is a Montreal lad and an arts student at the University of Montreal. He played junior hockey in the Metropolis and was sent to Ottawa to try out for the team by the late Norman Dawr, vice-president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, when it was agreed the Flyers needs strengthening. Wally Haider Defence and Center.

Arc 27. weight 185. Wally hails from Toronto and was on the Barker's team with Dowey and George Mara. He played with Toronto Young Rangers in the 1938-39 season and was with Toronto Varsity Juniors in 1939-40. He moved to the Senior OH A in 1942.

and captained the University of Toronto senior intercollegiate sextet in the 1945-46 season. He attended the Rangers' farm school in 1946 and paced the Flyers in the Olympic scoring competition ACI Orval Gravelle Right wing. Age 19, weight 150. Orval is the pride of Aylmer. Que.

the youngest player on the team. He played junior hockey in the Ottawa district and recently joined the Air Force as a achinist. Cpl. Irvine Taylor Right wlnn. Age 28, weight 175.

A junior player in Ottawa and later a member of Citizen Shield winning Perth Blue Wing teams, Taylor is no stranger to Ottawa hockey fans. He also played some hockey in Toronto. His home is in Wrlght-ville. He is an equipment assistant and is stationed in Ottawa. FO Hubert Brooks Lef wing.

Age 25. weight 165. A Montreal athlete, Hubert is one of five of the RCAF members to be awarded the Military Cross in the 8econd Great War. He played hockey in Europe last season 1946-47) with the U.S. Army All-Stars.

Sgt. Andy Gilpin Forward. Age 27. weight 170. Andy is a product of Montreal junior hockey and the summaries show he came through with some timely goals in the clutches for the Flyers.

He is stationed at Whitehorse in the Yukon.) LAC Roy Forbes Forward. Age 25, weight 150. A member of Portage Terriers when they reached the Memorial Cup play-downs in the 1941-42 season. Forbes is a Vancouver citizen. He served overseas as a bombardier and re-enlisted in fhe RCAF as a meteorological observer.

Cpl. Patsy Gu7-o Forward Age 32, weight 150. Patsy, an outstanding all-round athlete, is an Ottawa boy and resides at 167 Hawthorne avenue. He is well known in Eastern Ontario sport circles. He has played senior city league hockey for years, and has starred as a pitcher and inflelder in botli Softball and baseball.

He is stationed at Air Force Headquarters. Pete Leichnitz Forward. Age 21, weight 180. Another Ottawa athlete. Pete lives at 26 Noel street.

He was one of the five "Burghs" who strengthened the air force team and played a prominent role in the Flyers' Olympic triumph. Army sextet. He had seen a great deal of what was to be Canada's Olympic opposition while man-axlnx an ail force team in a tour of the continent during the winter of 1945-46. General Approval He took his idea to Air Commodore D. E.

"Dave" MacKeli, deputy air member for personnel, and the commodore approved. Then the suggestion moved to Air Marshal Curtis. Chief of the Air Staff, and he gave lt his blessing. Defence Minister Claxton was the next and last step insofar as the RCAF organization was concerned and, when he sanctioned it. the was made to the CAHA.

Last spring and on into the summer, when the man on the street was wondering what the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was going to do about naming an Olympic hockey contender and the CAHA was somewhat puzzled itself, a man got an idea. The man was Sqdn. Ldr. A. G.

'Sandy" Watson, senior medical officer at Royal Canadian Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa, and the idea was to have an air force team carry the Dominion's colors into the Olympic hockey games at St. Moritz, Switzerland. "Sandy" had managed the RCAF team that won the Ottawa Area Service hockey crown last spring against Connie Brown's Air Commodore MacKeli a tremendous job representative Oct. 15th and Mr. Dawe stated briefly and to the point that there would be no changes in the management and coaching of the team.

"Buck" Boucher was to continue lending a hand with the team in Canada, son Frank was to be coach for the Olympic jaunt and Sqdn. Ldr. Watson was to remain as managei Burghs To Hhe Rescue Things started to move from that moment. While the CAHA was slow in lining up the required replacements, the Air Force promptly secured the services of five playcis from the Ottawa Senior Association alt members of the Burgh team. Manager Cecil Duncan and Coach Arnie Morrison unselfishly paved the way for permitting the Flyers to use Frank Dunster, defenceman: and forwards Fete Leichnitz.

Ab Rer-aud. Reg Schroeter ann Ted Hibberd. With these Burghs in the lineup, the Flyers went to Belleville for a game on Dec. 19th three nights after they had been beaten by the Army team and turned back the Bellev.lle Flyers. 8-4.

Then, about nine days before the team left here on Jan. 8th just about the turn of the year Uiree "strangers appeared at practice. They were the CAHA reinforcements. Haider And Mara Two were forwards, Wally Haider, former University of Toronto captain, and George Mara, another Toronto ace. white t'.

third was Andre Lapemrr- Junior defenrrman from Mon-real. Haider and Mara also could take a turn on defence. From the day this trio appeared, th-team took on that "new The Flyers were rolling. As it turned out. Haider contributed amazing scoring feats for Frank team Moritl and Mara was not far behind him.

But the trouble wasn't entirely over for Sqdn Ldr. Watson and other RCAF officials. They got a goaler in here to take over the regular net-minding assignment. His name was Dick Bal! and he was a good one. Then, in the medical examination before the team left here to sail from New York, Ball was turned down.

Murray Dowey. another star from the same Barkers team for which Mara and Haider were playing before they joined the Flyers, appeared on the scene. Haider Called The Turn Dowey arrived here the day before the Flyers left Ottawa. Just before the train pulled out of the Union Station on Jan. 8th, bound for New York and St.

Moritz. a Citizen reporter asked Wally Haider whethf a figured Dowey was as good as the unfortunate Dick Ball and whether he would help the club. "Take it from me." replied Wally. "Murray is a dandy. He'll hold up his end, and then some, in any games we play." Haider certainly called the turn.

Olympic teams opposing the Flyers found him a stumbling block. He was as close-fisted with KOAll to the opposition in the Olympic Games as though they were coveted $100-bills and. in the end. his amazing goals-against average was the deciding factor in placing the Flyers ahead of Czechoslovakia in the final Olympic table. So, the headaches which started back on Oct 15th.

the day CAHA president Al Pickard announced from Regina that the RCAF would carry the Olympic hockey banner, and which increased six days later when first trial practices started, now are a thing of the past. The Flyers accomplished their mission, the Olympic hockey crown is back In Canada, and Ottawa today is paying the champions a royal and deserving tribute. March 12 RCAF. Sweden, 2. March 14 RCAF, Sweden.

5. a 1 6 RCAF, Sweden. 0. March 18 Wemblev, RCAF 3. March 20 RCAF.

Dominion Of Canada Owes These Few An Awful Lot ir if Srreatham. 2. March 22 RCAF, Dundee. 5. March 23 RCAF, Scottish All-Stars, 1.

March 24 RCAF. Ayr 2. March 26 RCAF, Dunfermline, 1. March 28 Fife Flyers, 6: RCAF. 5.

March 29 RCAF, Falkirk, 3. jjpl McKinnon Is Happy Today As tickled as any person in Canada today over the return of the Flyers and the success they enjoyed at St. Mortiz is Fit. Lt. T.

J. Joe" McKinnon, who hails from Regina. Joe is chief public relations officer for the RCAF and has been stationed in Ottawa for about a year. He was the man who was the contact between the Canadian Olympic hockey camp and the Ottawa newspapers. That pasting the Flyers took at the hands of McGill in their first outing last December couldn't have hurt Joe more had he been tending goal for the Flyers hirn-self that night.

Joe played the nets in Regina years ago. Asked how good he was. the genial PRO man replies: "Well, they used to call me Take-A-Numbcr-From-One-To-Ten' McKinnon so you can get an idea of the trouble I ran mto while trying to prevent goals." HERE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Pictured arc the athletes who carried Guzzo and Ross King. Back row: George McFaul (trainer); Andre the RCAF and Dominion colors to Olympic hockey heights at St. 1 Laperriere, Frank Dunster, Louis Lecompte, Reg.

Schroeter, Hubert Moritz, Switzerland. Left to right, front row: Murray Dowey. Ted Brooks, Andy Gilpin. Wally Haider, George Mara, Irving Taylor, Sqdn. Hibberd, Orval Gravelle, Ab.

Renaud, Roy Forbes, Pete Leichnitz, Patsy Ldr. A. G. "Sandy" Watson (manager) and Frank Boucher (coach)..