Hockey has changed quite a lot since Ronnie Paterson was chosen to join Team Canada for a chance at Olympic gold.
That was in 1980, at Lake Placid, N.Y. 害羞草研究所� the same year a U.S. team of young college players defeated the powerhouse Soviet Union squad in the semifinals.
Now a proud parent and grandparent, Paterson reflects back on those days with fondness.
害羞草研究所淚t was a tremendous experience. Any time you害羞草研究所檙e representing your country is a very proud moment,害羞草研究所� he said.
Paterson found out less than two weeks ago that he would be one of this year害羞草研究所檚 B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) Class of 2023 inductees, when his longtime friend (and retired Canadian sportscaster well-known for his play-by-play National Hockey League commentary) Jim Hughson gave him a call.
They害羞草研究所檇 caught up about what each had been up to and chatted about their grandchildren, when Hughson let him know the purpose of the call.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 calling you as good friend and chair of the (BCHHF) board advising you that you害羞草研究所檙e being inducted into the BCHHF,害羞草研究所� Hughson told Paterson.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 very, very humbling. I害羞草研究所檓 very proud and very reflective, based on what it represents 害羞草研究所� I know how many special athletes have historically been inducted into the hall and then to learn who else was going in this year was also an extremely proud moment for me.害羞草研究所�
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Back in 1980, Olympic hockey teams were comprised of college and junior (amateur) players, he noted, which meant 害羞草研究所� as a 23-year-old goaltender for the UBC Thunderbirds 害羞草研究所� he had the chance to try out for the Olympic team.
He joined the national program under famed Canadian coach Father David Bauer in the late 1970s and trained for a year and a half in Calgary, and ended up being one of three goaltenders who went to Lake Placid.
The White Rock Whalers (Pacific Junior Hockey League) owner and former Surrey Eagles (BC Hockey League) co-owner played plenty of games for Canada in the run-up to the Olympics 害羞草研究所� at locales all over the globe 害羞草研究所� but served as the team害羞草研究所檚 third goaltender at the tournament, which meant he wasn害羞草研究所檛 in uniform for the games.
He did, however, get to spend some time with the broadcast crew, which included NHL legend Ken Dryden and play-by-play man Al Michaels, the latter of whom voiced the famous line, 害羞草研究所淒o you believe in miracles?!害羞草研究所� when the U.S. won the semifinal game.
The U.S. eventually got the gold medal with a win over Finland in the final.
害羞草研究所淚t wasn害羞草研究所檛 optimal 害羞草研究所� I really wanted to play 害羞草研究所� but it was still pretty cool,害羞草研究所� said Paterson, who was in the building for the famous game, and called it 害羞草研究所渋ncredible.害羞草研究所�
Canada finished out of the medals, in fifth, at Lake Placid, though Paterson said they certainly had the skill to compete with teams that finished on the podium.
Goaltending was much different in 1980, he recalled.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 5害羞草研究所�6害羞草研究所� nowadays you have to be 6害羞草研究所�5害羞草研究所�,害羞草研究所� he pointed out.
害羞草研究所淭he goaltending was more angles and reactionary and quickness,害羞草研究所� Paterson said.
害羞草研究所淭he position has changed a lot 害羞草研究所� and, I think, for the better 害羞草研究所� I really marvel at these goaltenders today at how they stop the puck. It害羞草研究所檚 been fun to watch the transition. It was certainly a lot different then then it was today害羞草研究所� I remember we would practise for the Olympics twice a day and the pads would be soaking wet and heavy afterward.害羞草研究所�
Still, he 害羞草研究所渉as nothing but fond memories害羞草研究所� of those days and enjoys the 害羞草研究所渞ich experiences and friendships that remain very special.害羞草研究所�
PATERSON INTO THE HALL!
害羞草研究所� WhiteRockWhalers (@WRWhalersHockey)
Congratulations to our leader Ronnie Paterson for being inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame under the Builders category. Ronnie has made a significant impact and contribution to the game of Hockey.
Congrats Ronnie and the rest of the Class of 2023
While he briefly entertained the idea of playing professionally in Europe after the Olympics, Paterson returned to UBC and completed his degree in education.
When Molson Breweries 害羞草研究所� a major sponsor of the national program 害羞草研究所� offered him a job at their brewery, and he spent 25 years there, working in sales.
Now, he and his family own several successful pubs and liquor stores, which his two sons are involved with.
害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e always been involved in the game as well and the family business害羞草研究所� I害羞草研究所檓 very honoured to see them grow and develop it. Hockey and hospitality have been a big part of my life,害羞草研究所� he said.
As owner of the White Rock Whalers, now in their fifth year 害羞草研究所� and up 3-1 in a playoff series against the Richmond Sockeyes (as of Thursday morning, March 2) 害羞草研究所� Paterson is proud of how the club allows players to continue to play hockey at a competitive level, but also, helps prepare them for life after the arena.
害羞草研究所淲e try to offer them not only good hockey experiences but good life experiences as well. To be competitive and to win is important, but it害羞草研究所檚 about finding that balance,害羞草研究所� he said.
He害羞草研究所檚 also involved with a hockey skills camp that happens in Port Alberni for four weeks every summer, so hockey is still an integral part of his life.
He remembers everything his mom, who was a single parent after his father died when he was quite young, did to make it possible for he and his siblings to enjoy the sport.
害羞草研究所淚 know the sacrifices she made just to allow us as young children to play the game害羞草研究所� that wasn害羞草研究所檛 easy for her,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淪he really gave us a foundation to work from in terms of sacrifice and commitment.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所� with Peace Arch News files
tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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