The Onion Lake 50+ Border Chiefs and the Border Kings will be turning back time on Wednesday night (April 9) at the good Ole Centennial Civic Centre.
“The Border Kings and Border Chiefs are hitting the ice at the Civic Centre for one last match,” says Morgan Mann with the Border Kings.
The guys will don skates in a farewell to the old rink that has seen many a battle at all levels of hockey since 1967.
“This game was set up to play one last time in the Civic Centre with guys that played with or against each other throughout the years. The Centennial Civic Centre has been considered the Cathedral of Hockey in this region for many years. It was a huge deal to play in the rink. This was also the case for many of the players and teams from the surrounding Indigenous communities,” says Clint Chocan with the Border Chiefs.
The Border Kings bring a history of two Allan Cups in their pedigree in 2001 and 2007.
The Treaty 6 Hockey Championships were hosted on occasion in the Centennial Civic Centre during the 70s, 80s and 90s, notes Chocan
“For most of us growing up in Onion Lake, we played the short exhibition games during these tournaments as Tom Thumbs and Mites. Many played their first hockey game in this rink. Many players from Onion Lake have come in, to play with Lloydminster teams in minor, junior and senior hockey. On a few occasions, quite a few of us on the Border Chiefs, changed our Chief status to King status for a few years as we came to play with the Border Kings,” reminisces Chocan.
The Onion Lake 50+ Border Chiefs are comprised of Border Chiefs and Kings alumni for the game.
Game time is 7:30 p.m.
When it opens in the fall, the Cenovus Energy Hub will replace the Civic.
