Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Community

Remember When: Generations of Ponoka hockey players come together

Looking at Ponoka’s granddads of hockey in this week’s Remember When
Black Press Media
15401086_web1_190206-PON-remember-when_1
Remember When? This great photo features four grandfathers from the Ponoka district enjoying an afternoon at the rink with their grand-sons, who all play on the same team in the Red Deer Minor Hockey Association. Shown from left to right are: Gerard Holman, Owen Walker, Brian McLaren, Kai Richer, Jack Surbey, Keel MacDonald, Bill Conroy, and Payton Conklin. It is interesting to note that each one of these proud ‘hockey grandpas’ have always enjoyed the many memorial and active years during which they were involved in all capacities of the Ponoka Minor Hockey and senior hockey programs. Both Brian McLaren and Gerard Holman grew up in the ranks of our local minor hockey system, and then moved on to play and volunteer in the Ponoka Farm Hockey League and other Ponoka junior and senior teams, as well as doing some officiating and serving in the PMHA Association. Upon arriving in Ponoka Jack Surbey immediately became involved in coaching in the local Minor Hockey programs, and then later at the Junior ‘B’ level, as well as playing and coaching with the Ponoka Stampeders of the Chinook Hockey league. Bill Conroy became an avid promoter and father in the Ponoka Minor Hockey system beginning in 1974 as well as serving in an executive capacity for many years. As generations of players, active families, and volunteers proudly carry on the tradition at all levels of hockey programs in our community, everyone is also always invited to drop into the rink on any winter day and cheer them

Looking at Ponoka’s granddads of hockey in this week’s Remember When