The Team - 1964-1965
Front Row (l-r): Marshall Kennedy, Frank McKinnon, Bill Chapman, Gladwyn Scott, Murray McPherson, Brian Parker, Dennis Hunter, Wayne Fawcett. Middle Row: Reg Ullyot, David Bishop, Gary Ross, Isaac Bergen, Ken Tjaden, Albert Clearwater, Laurie Hacking, Doug Reynolds, Chip Hand, Malcolm McEachern, Neil Strachan. Back Row: Jim Adams, Alan Wells, Howie Dunn, Robert Tjaden, Bob Takvam, Gin Wah, George Thiessen and Chic McIvor.
Their financial report showed a surplus of $300 to begin the year's operations after a new 8x4 clock had been purchased for $1,000. That clock would indicate periods and sound a horn at the end of each. Over forty people attended this November 9th annual meeting, indicating a strong interest in senior hockey for Carman for another year. Early indications were that another strong line-up would be iced, including many of last year's veterans.
Future club gatherings held more good news for the organization. New sweaters were purchased because of the similarity of colour scheme amongst the league. These were to be black and yellow. The arena board announced the installation of rubber matting in the penalty and player boxes, plus were thinking of closing in those areas. Favourable consideration was given to the proposal that support be given to minor hockey teams during the coming winter, and in that effort, two Beaver members Gladwyn Scott and Frank McKinnon began a juvenile hockey program in Winkler, Morden, Altona, and Carman. Frank would be the initial coach for Carman's Squad.
Meanwhile at the west end of town, the coaches were practising their 1964-65 Beaver edition. Team manager, Reg Ulloyt had rounded up some new faces for the sessions including Frank McKinnon, Marsh Kennedy, Doug Reynolds, Clint Lawson, Guy Maynard, plus Dig and Ron Meadmore. Of the group, Reynolds and the two former Wheat Kings would survive. Kennedy who was teaching in Elm Creek was a member of the 1962 Souris Elks when they were Provincial Champions, while Carman's Principal, McKinnon was a M.A.H.A. convenor besides skating with Hamiota Intermediates.
In exhibition games versus Altona, Denny Hunter and Abbie Clearwater led the troops to two victories 8-4 and 4-3. Hunter's four goals and Abbie's bone-crushing checks kept Harry Buechert and his mates in check. If Altona did have a star it would have to be there goaltender. He faced 72 shots in one game alone!
Hunter was hot as he notched eight goals in four league outings, which put Carman on top as of December 31st with a 3-0-1 record. Then he added four more in back-to-back games against a young Pilot Mound team in the new year. When Denny was not lamp-lighting, it was Wayne Fawcett doing the damage to the opposition. 'Fawcy' picked up 14 points in his next four games, yet the Beavers were slipping in the standings and their see-saw play was allowing Altona to put room between them and the now second place Miami Rockets. Hank Neufeld's Winkler Royals held fourth spot, the Mound was two points back in fifth and the Bombers, who had yet to win a contest sat in the cellar.
The Beavers finished the season off in fine form by winning the last four league battles, led by none other than the team captain. Wayne notched two game winners plus had fourteen points in the 7-4 win over Winkler, the 10-5 drowning of Morden and the 3-2, 6-5 celebrations over the pennant clinching Maroons. The was no doubt the Beaver's roster contained the SEMHL scoring champion. Fawcett had 26 goals, 33 assists for a total of 59 points in regular season play.
The Winkler Royals supplied the play-off opposition in the semi finals. The two clubs exchanged wins and let a 6-1 Carman victory in the fifth game decide the outcome of the series. Meanwhile the Rockets disposed of the Maroons and then grabbed a 3-0 lead in games over the Beavers before Carman could muster up a tie in a 2-1 squeaker. However, Miami was not to be denied this season and received the Pool Elevator's Trophy with a 6-4 triumph in the sixth game.
M.A.H.A.
Playing six games in as many nights must have been a common occurrence in these years because again the Beavers were doing such by combining league and M.A.H.A playdowns. By adding Joe Cyr and Laurie Hacking, the Beavers eliminated Souris and with the outstanding goaltending of Cliff Seafoot went on to meet the Boissevain Border Kings. That series lasted just two games, as Fawcett sparked his club with seven goals and sent them into the next round.
A short rest was enjoyed before meeting Altona and gave time for injuries to Bill Chapman and Brian Parker to heal. Those wounds left Carman with just three rearguards in Scott, Clearwater and Hacking, but the three held up to the ice time and advanced past Altona to face the Thompson Trappers. This would be the first time Thompson had competed in Provincial play-offs due to the 13 hour, 700 mile trek.
Over 2,200 fans witnessed Carman's 8-6 and 4-3 triumphs over the highly touted Miners, however the locals lost the services of Muzz McPherson when he broke his left cheek bone blocking a shot. As Muzz received surgery, Carman got permission to use Jim 'Moose' Giesbrecht for the remainder of the playdowns versus the Pine Falls Paper Kings.
After winning 5-3 up north, the Beavers returned and lost 6-4 and 11-1 on home ice, but not without some repercussions. It appeared the M.A.H.A. allowed the Paper Kings to use three imports not on their roster from the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Team. Since the Pine Falls club was affiliated with the structured M.A.H.A., their commuting players did not need to be named until they were used. Carman's roster had to be in by February 10th. The eleven long extra games added on to the season, ended sourly.
Wind- up
The Beavers had played a total of 47 games posting a 29-16-2 record and supplied a record attendance of fans with great entertainment. Guest speaker at the awards night, Terry Hind, commended the Beaver organization on averaging 500 fans for league and 700 for play-offs. President Bob Tjaden introduced all his executive prior to jackets and team pictures being presented and Chic faithfully gave his baton demonstration to everyone's delight.
Executive
President: Bob Tjaden
Vice-President: Jim Adams
Treasurer: Alan Wells
Transportation: Bob Takvam
Publicity: Howie Dunn
Lunch: Jack Ross, Ways and Means, George Thiessen
Equipment: Chic McIvor
General Manager: Reg Ullyot
TimeKeeper: Ernie McGregor
Statistician: Alf Strachan
P.A.: George Bishop
Others: Mr & Mrs W. Blight, Fred, Bill and Walter Gould, and Gin Wah
League Standings
1. Altona
2. Carman
3. Miami
4. Winkler
5. Pilot Mound
6. Morden
League Stats
First Place: Altona Maroons
Manitoba Pool Elevator Champion: Miami Rockets
Homer Hamilton Trophy (Scoring): Wayne Fawcett - 59 pts
Team Stats
No team stats available for this year.
