Like many in Lloydminster, I’ve caught the Esso Cup fever.
I was formally diagnosed with the fever following close contact with thrilling hockey on Sunday afternoon. The Centennial Civic Centre was erupting with excitement, seats were filled and the familiar sound of skates and sticks filled the air.
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The doc told me the fever was not only a positive to my overall health, but it got me thinking, contrary to what fevers normally do.
Hockey is a cornerstone of Canadian culture, almost more-so here in Lloydminster. It wouldn’t be long after the colonists arrived in Lloydminster for them to feel the pull of hockey.
A club was organized only two years after arrival, with G.M. Phillips as the club manager. Residents were encouraged to participate, and an advertisement was taken out in the Lloydminster Times advertising the first game.
“As this is the initiation of Canada’s national game into our town, it is hoped that everybody will render as much assistance as possible to help the boys along,” read an excerpt from the newspaper.
That statement says it all. We’re now 120 years removed from the club first being put together and hockey is something the people of Lloyd hold near and dear.
It’s nice to get out to the rink and see neighbours, friends, colleagues and local smiling faces volunteering their time to help make this tournament possible.
Lloydminster’s been largely successful on the ice seeing plenty of teams reach finals and there’s a long list of winners the city boasts as well. In the mid 1950s, the Lloydminster Jets won the Saskatchewan intermediate A title.
I hope to be around to see the U18 AAA Lloydminster PWM Steelers hoist the cup sending the Civic Centre off with one last bang.
In a future column, I’ll cover more of the history of hockey in the town and talk more about some of the history of the sport in the border city.
Until then, go Steelers! Esso Cup fever is highly contagious, so I’ve heard.
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