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Thursday, January 26, 1961 NORSHORE SENTINEL 9 BENNY HAYES ENJOYED TRIP TO EUROPE, ' wouldn't be the same nowadays ' Benny Hayes in younger days This is the second of a series of photostory portraits on memorable figures and moments in the history of the North Shore Hockey league. Watch for a new portrait every week! BY PAUL "DIZZY" BAXTER Terrace Bay manager Benny Hayes, a man who should know all about it, was asked if he would like to journey to Europe this spring with the Canadian representatives in the world hockey championships. Benny’s answer was an emphatic but tongue-in-cheek 'no’ as he remembered the last trip he made to the continent. That was in 1939 when Trail Smoke Eaters figuratively ate up all opposition in winning the title for Canada. "I was spoiled on that trip” chuckles Benny, a hockey veteran who has served in the hockey wars from coast to coast and on two continents. "The teams nowadays fly over, play a hectic schedule of games in a few weeks and hustle back to Canada before they can catch their breath. We travelled leisurely by boat, played the World Championship in Zurich, Switzerland, then remained in Europe, travelling, playing and generally enjoying ourselves for six months.” "In all, we played 72 games on the continent and never lost a contest.” He emphasized that the whole tour was planned gracefully with a nice mixture of hockey, night clubs and sight seeing with plenty of time for each. Benny realizes that the hockey picture has changed drastically in the last 20 years, which makes it a lot harder for any team to remain extensively in Europe. "The present teams in the senior competition in Canada are not what you call a good representative of the country; 20 years ago senior hockey was strong from coast to coast and the Allan Cup winners were the best amateurs in the world. They played to capacity houses throughout the year and therefore the money situation was no problem." "You combine today’s problems with the tough competition of the Europeans, who have improved tremendously and you’re up against a pretty big task. No sir, I wouldn’t want to do it under the present set-up, I’ll stay in Canada.’’ Benny Hayes was born in Calgary 40 years ago. His first hockey in organized ranks was intermediate at the age of 17 in Calgary. From here he played centre with the Lethbridge Maple Leafs senior team for a season before joining that famous Smoke Eater championship team. On the Smokies, Benny had the distinction of playing with Joe Benoit, who later joined Montreal Canadians and Johnny McCready who in turn hooked up with Toronto Maple Leafs. Returning from Europe, he toiled one season for Lethbridge again before coming to the Lakehead and hooking up with the Ft. Wm. Hurricane Seniors for two years under Jazzy Manahan. From 1942-46 he served his country as a pilot in the air force and managed to play service hockey all across Canada. Discharged in 1946, he turned pro in the West Coast Hockey League with Los Angeles and led the team in scoring for the year. From Los Angeles he first went to New Westminster Royals, then Vancouver Canucks for a season apiece before deciding to retire. His retirement was short lived for in 1951 he joined Geraldton Gold Miners in the N.S.H.L. as playing coach and led them to two championships in successive years. Benny found that playing in the North Shore those first two years very different from playing pro. "There was no pressure on the guys and everybody played for the enjoyment of it,’’ he says. Ben recalls one incident in Kenora with relish. "We had won the North Shore and were representing our league against Kenora for the district championship. Well, it seems that one of the boys had found a frozen wolf and the gang stood it up in its stiff upright condition outside of the Keewatin hotel. The hateful look of that wolf staring out at the passers-by damned near caused panic in the streets and confirmed the Kenora people’s suspicions that we were a bunch of wild bushwackers from Geraldton. In Geraldton, Benny recalls that Steve Rusniak was the best player he ever coached and wishes he had him with the Terrace Superiors this year. Even without another Rusniak, Benny figures that if all the players are back and healthy that Terrace should win the cup for tie first time this year. "We have the best defence," he says, "and you combine that with the Osmar line and the Shock, Adamo line and I can’t see why we can’t win.’’ A lot of people think that Adamo is a hard kid to handle, but Benny says he has no trouble with him and the boy has been most cooperative. He thinks Ronny Shock is the best young player in the league and a cinch for the rookie of the year. Benny is manager of the Superiors this year after five years absence from the hockey circle. He came to Terrace as playing coach in 1953 but after two years retired completely until this year. The town of Terrace Bay appeals to the Hayes family and Benny, wife Margie and their three children are well established in the community. His boy, 15 is playing midget hockey and his two girls 10 and 11 respectively belong to the figure skating club. For a man who has played hockey all over the world, Benny Hayes is well content to remain in Terrace Bay where his family has established roots. NEXT WEEK: Ed Bolan. MINOR HOCKEY RALLY Minor Hockey Week celebrations will be held in Nipigon Arena Saturday starting at 1 p.m. when minor teams from Nipigon and possibly Red Rock and Beardmore will compete in a Minor Hockey Rally. Tickets are available from all minor hockey players or at the door Saturday. Admission is 50 cents with proceeds going towards the Nipigon Minor Hockey association. President of the newly reorganized minor group is Gerry Brennan while secretary is Doris Mclnnis and vice president is Leo Kane. Chief coach is Frank Gentile and property man is Art Jalkanen.. There are four peewee teams, under 12 years of age as of August 1, one bantam, under 14, one midget, under 16 and hopes for a juvenile team. Anyone wishing information about the league and the Booster event is asked to phone Mr. Brennan at 98, Nipigon. HOUSEWIVES Have You Heard About PALM DAIRIES NEW . . . BUDGET PRICED MILK? Sunny Vale MILK 2 QUART JUG Ask Your PALM MILKMAN Locally, Palm dairies is represented by these three neighbours of yours. Ask them about SUNNY VALE MILK! double capping for your protection Arvo Ruoho Jimmy Borsk Marshal Borsk