As an KGHL alumnus who had a long and semi-distinguished playing, coaching and refereeing career, I felt that I should not miss this opportunity to pass along some comments.

After reading the game and team synopses in the Website, first and formost, I have to say that not much has changed since my playing retirement - the guys still whine and complain about everything. Fortunately, that's what held the league together for so many years - everybody wants another chance to get back at someone. And the Leafs still suck. Good thing everybody makes the playoffs.

I would probably make an assumption that the Mulford boys are causing the most crap, Bubba Bush still claiming that he's a gentleman player and it's an "accident" when someone goes crashing to the ice when they try to go around him (a long skate for anyone - how big is he now?) and Grant Hansen pretending he's still got the wheels for those long rushes up the ice (without ever passing to a teammate). Are there still any wimps who go inside between shifts on cold days?

Seeing so many ties in the weekly scores, it looks like the referees have learned the fine art of producing a "Staynor Stalemate" to keep things balanced. In addition, the standings show the top 3 teams at 12, 12 and 11 points respectively. From what I have heard, the Canadians are favoured to win after a few slumping seasons and the Leafs are going nowhere (again).

Has anyone ever thought about going back to Rochester and having a "Reunion Summit Series" with that crappy American team that the Kipling Grove Select All Stars beat 7-0 and 11-1 back on that January weekend in 1978? Mark Mulford was on that team - he'll tell you!

Here are some tips that held true year after year:

- If you wanted Jim MacLachlan or Archie Mulford on your side during any dispute, suck up to them with a dirty joke now and again. But you would always tell clean jokes to Mr. Staynor.
- Make sure you found out who had been drinking too much the night before - it was no fun to sit beside someone on the bench who pukes on your skates (e.g. Gord Chappel)
- On the north bench, always try to sucker the biggest guy to sit nearest the gate to create a wind block for the rest of the team (the wind barriers they installed in the 70's proved to be annoying because everyone was forced to sit on the actual bench seats and miss watching the game).
- If you wanted Tom Mulford to cry, just lock him in the KGHL equipment box found in Dressing Room 1

I do remember that the Red Wings built a dynasty and won every second season from 1971-72 to 1981-82. Nick finally decided to break the Red Wings up and create new rosters at the 1983 Fall Executive Meeting because he just couldn't get the Leafs to win one when it was "their turn". His ploy eventually worked and balance shone over the tennis court for several years.

As a suggestion for the Website, perhaps you could list the team rosters. Also, it would be nostalgic if you could dig up Nick's old files to show the teams who won the championship each year since the beginning (I think the "Argos" won it in a couple of times in the late 50's and early 60's). The Nick Staynor Memorial Trophy (if the original trophy is still around and has been renamed) would at least have the history of the winners on it if Nick's files cannot be located.

To end this babbling, I wish to extend greetings to my old Canadians teammates (old should be taken literally in this context). Perhaps I should take back my KGHL Canadians jersey from my daughter who now wears it at her hockey practices and come back next year to add another glorious crest to my collection. Maybe I'll do the Gordie Howe thing and bring my son along to play - he'll be just about old enough next year and he's certainly big enough now.

On a final note, I want to congratulate all Kipling Grove players and executive for honouring Nick Staynor and the retired "Senior" Executives by keeping this worthwhile institution alive. Current and former players who grew up in the league such as I did will remember the time and effort that many of our fathers spent in running the league. It is a unique thing these days to see organized outdoor hockey and your enthusiasm really shows on the Website.

Good luck and have fun for many more years! And just remember - everyone has to work the next day - so lay off the bodychecks Bubba!

Best Regards,

John Hughson
KGHL 1969-1992

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