CambridgeToday received the following letter regarding the Hespeler Shamrocks.
Watching Hespeler Shamrocks Jr. C Hockey is a great affordable family experience
The tenacity of Hespeler Shamrocks owner Andy Tonner to bring Junior C hockey back to Hespeler after half-a-century is well known. He simply would not give up the battle with the Ontario Hockey Association to move a team to Hespeler. The OHA refused his request four times but he would not go away and in 2018 Junior C hockey returned to Hespeler.
The games are usually Sundays at 3:30 p.m. at Hespeler Arena. I went last weekend for their season opener at the Tavistock Braves. What a joy it was to watch such good quality hockey at a very affordable price. Tickets are only $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students $6 and children $4. Heck you can get a season pass for $125.
I doubt the current players, or their parents understand the hockey tradition that comes with wearing a Hespeler Shamrocks jersey. There are photos of hockey being played recreationally in Hespeler for over 120 years. Local teams from Beaverdale and Roos Hill would play each other in the early 1920’s. Going to the arena to watch the Shamrocks was an important social activity for the public throughout the years. This photo shows a team playing at the old arena in Hespeler.
Former NHL players that came from Hespeler were: Clarence Dolly Dolson, Kirk Maltby, Tim Brent, Ken Ellacott, Red Laurence, Paul Woods and linesmen Bob Hodges.
I encourage everyone to come out to enjoy some Junior C hockey watching the Hespeler Shamrocks.
Paul Langan
Cambridge
