The 2006-2007 season will be a special one for hockey fans in the Beausejour-Brokenhead area as the Beausejour Beavers senior men’s team is returning to the ice.
For the past 12 years the Beausejour Stars have provided graduating junior hockey players an opportunity to continue playing the game they love while representing their home community.
With the senior team under new management for the upcoming season, changes are being made to clothe Beausejour players in the Beavers’ traditional Kelly Green jerseys while maintaining the hard-nosed shinny excitement local fans expect.
“The Beavers were a part of the fabric of this community for so many years we wanted to honour their legacy,” said Chris Wielgosh, who along with Mark Buss will share general management duties. “Hopefully some of that Beaver magic and excitement can rub off and create new traditions.”
The Beavers first appeared on the Manitoba hockey landscape in 1958 when they joined the Lake Winnipeg Hockey League.
Choosing the “Beaver” name as a Canadian symbol for tenacity and relentless work ethic, the Beausejour club and its loyal followers embarked on what is still considered the region’s golden age of hockey.
Winning the LWHL title in 1963, 1964 and 1969, Beaver success buoyed the farming community as battles with the Riverton Lions, Pine Falls Paper Kings and Stonewall Flyers became the stuff of local legend.
In the mid-1980s, the Beavers were replaced by the Beausejour Bullets for a short but successful two-year run.
The Stars began their tenure in 1994 filling a six-year hockey void in Beausejour. Under the guidance of GM Gerry Liske, they won the Provincial Senior “C” champions in 1997 and have been contenders in several leagues, most recently the South Interlake Hockey League.
With Liske earning a well-deserved break after more than a decade of service, the new executive were quick to acknowledge his contribution.
“Gerry is owed a debt of gratitude for the hard work and dedication shown to the community,” said Wielgosh, a Stars alumnus.
“We’ve already put in a considerable amount of work and we’ve only been involved for over a month so you really have to tip your cap to Gerry with what he was able to accomplish,” Buss added.
Back to the future
Beausejour Beavers return to ice
As for Liske, he’s just pleased senior hockey continues to have a home in Beausejour.
“I’m glad things are going to keep going,” Liske said. “All I want is to be able to go to the arena and watch a game every now and then and I’ll still be able to do that.”
In an effort to get a head start on the season, the Beavers have begun pounding the pavement to gain jersey sponsors and sell advertising to the local business community. They will follow that up through mail, phone and e-mail (where applicable) over the next few weeks with a final sweep in October.
The team has also created a website with team information and links to sponsors,
“We understand the Beausejour business community gets hit up for donations on a regular basis but we’re not going out cap in hand by any means,” Buss said. “We’ve put together some viable promotional packages. Any partnerships we gain in getting the Beavers back on skates is and has been greatly appreciated.”
Response has been favourable, especially from those who have past association with the club. Beavers alumnus Neil Ross – who fiercely patrolled the blueline during the club’s glory days – has been contacting former teammates to show their support.
“I’m so happy,” Ross said. “Bringing the Beavers back is just what this town needs.”
For more information on the Beausejour Beavers contact Wielgosh at 268-4544 (cwielgosh@hotmail.com) or Buss at 268-4284 (marktbuss@hotmail.com).
Buss (left) and Wielgosh are bringing the Beausejour Beavers into the 21st century.