Back Row (l-r):  Bill Gould, Howie Dunn, Alan Wells, Jack Ross, Jim Adams, Geoprge Thiessen, Gin Wah, Bob Takvam, Ken August. Middle Row: Reg Ullyot (G.M.), Wayne Busse, Gladwyn Scott (Coach), David Bishop, Gary Ross, Rod Collins, Lyall Wilson, Chick McIvor (Equipment). Front Row: Ken Hiebert, Brian Parker, Frank McKinnon, Marsh Kennedy, Denny Hunter, Larry Stout.  Missing: Ron Latimer, Alf Strachan, Abbie Clearwater, Malcolm McEachern, Bill North, Jack McKay, Neil Strachan and Ken Tjaden.

The Team - 1965-66

     Coming off a year of such great fan support, the Beaver club was in the black and the executive commissioned Brian Parker and Marsh Kennedy to purchase new uniforms, pants and helmets for the upcoming season.  The financial report showed they had a budget of $13,000 with $3000 being contributed to the arena.
     The Beavers began workouts the week of November 21st with calisthenics, running, skipping and volleyball the order of the day.  Light skating became possible due to the hard work of rink caretaker, Bob Takvam.  'Takky' was also the Transportation Chairman for the Carman team. 
    The year began with the traditional Altona exhibition games, only this time there was a slight twist.  Last year's Maroon, Wayne Busse, was now a Beaver and had to face his old team-mates.  A load was put on his shoulders to replace the released Wayne Fawcett, who went to Red Deere, Alberta.  Other new faces were Sperling's Lyall Wilson and local juveniles David Bishop, Jack McKay, Hardy Letain and Bill North.  The latter three making up the 'pony line'.
     Carman split the double bill 8-3 and 3-5, yet showed great promise, especially from the playmaking McKinnon and the young legs in the line up previously mentioned.  They continued that pace into league action thumping Morden 12-7 with Busse picking up 6 points while Kennedy contributed with 3 markers.  The Beavers lost the services of Ken Tjaden for three weeks however with a broken hand.
     The Winkler Royals, with a capital 'R' for rough , were running the league as of late.  Boosted by Joe Cyr, Brian Dyck, and Cliff Dyck they took hold of first place as of January.  Besides first, they also had the point leader in Cyr (31) after seven games, plus Brian Dyck and Warren Browne led the South-East in penalty minutes (32).  Altona's Buechart had scored 18 goals to lead that department.  In comparison, the Beavers had only 30 goals in five outings. 
     As of January 6th, the Beavers were in third spot, but used three straight wins to take a share of second with Altona.  A 6-5 victory over Morden marked Tjaden's return, and the 7-4 Altona battle saw Denny Hunter and Paul Kruger receive misconducts for a stick swinging duel.  Meanwhile, Muzz blocked 50 shots in that game, marred with 28 penalties.  Bill North and the pony line defeated a storm-stayed Pilot Mound team early in the week, but 'Mr. Smiles' Joe Cyr returned with Winkler to take two points home.
     After Carman beat the Rocket Club 8-7, they moved into a three way tie for first.  The Beavers became known as the 'tree-chompers' when they finally managed to defeat Winkler by a 3-1 score.  The Royals made it easier by sitting out 11 penalties, 2 misconducts, and 2 game misconducts.
    The Beavers were winning their share alright, combining McPherson's first shutout and Busse's and Wilson's goal scoring, but so were the others and Carman slid to finish the winter in fourth.  Altona again clinched a pennant championship, slipping past Winkler while Pilot Mound wound up in third.  Morden had another dismal season and contemplated pulling out of the SEMHL.  Miami as defending champs, mustered only two wins.
     Altona finally was able to remove Carman as the thorn in their side, when Buechert's forces gave the Beavers 9-2, 13-5, and 4-0 thrashings around a lone 6-1 loss.  Carman was missing from the SEMHL finals for the first time in their existence.  Pilot Mound went on to win the Manitoba Pool Elevator' Trophy.

M.A.H.A

     Beaver officials annouced the acquisition of Miami's Glennis Scott, Bob Thompson and Winnipeg Maroon Ross Park, to the line-up for Provincial play.  Park had seen action with the Canadian National squad a year past and the Mound's Rod Collins also agreed to terms to help Carman.  The Souris Elks were the first combatants to be eliminated by 5-4 and 4-0 scores.  Ab Clearwater's overtime goal and Muzz's second shut out in as many nights (9-0 over Morden in league), plus the fact that the Elk's regular goalie Cliff Seafoot was absent, was all Souris could handle.  Besides meeting Altona in league play, Carman now met them in the next round of playdowns.
    They split the first two 6-3 and 1-10, but Carman rebounded to advance further, 5-3 in a match where the fiery Jerry Rempel high-sticked Brian Parker (but had to answer to Howie Dunn in the stands).  Winkler had their problems with player reactions too as Peter Hamm drew a year's suspension when he got into an altercation with an official in their final game of the series versus Carman.  The Beavers were successful knocking off Winkler much to the Royal fan's dislike as extra protection was needed for the referees following the contest.
     Everyone remembers the storm of 1966 and how quickly all in the area were trapped.  However the Thompson Hawks made the long journey only to be discouraged 8-5 and 5-4 after the storm delay.  The winner of the Lake Winnipeg league, Pine Falls Canadians, received a bye into the Provincial final for some reason, but left no doubt about their abilities when downing Carman 8-3 and 6- 3.

Wind- up

     A winter of 37 games and 23 wins had come to a close.  President Jim Adams oversaw the closing ceremonies at which two former National Team members, Phil Reimer and Marshall Johnston spoke.  Presentations were made to Gladwyn Scott and Chic McIvor for their contributions, before a musical troupe called the 'Mad Hatters' (George Loeppky, Chip Hand, Frank McKinnon and Marsh Kennedy) entertained.  George Thiessen and Brian Milne performed a skit prior to Chic's traditional baton show.

Executive

Jim Adams, President
Jack Ross
Bob Takvam
Howie Dunn
George Thiessen
Ken August
Ron Latimer
Gin Wah
Bill Gould
Gladwyn Scott,  Coach
Brian Parker, Assistant Coach
Reg Ulloyt, General Manager
Chic McIvor, Equipment Manager
Ernie McGregor
Alf Strachan
Allan Wells

League Standings

Top Goaltender: Ed Sawatsky, Altona - GAA 2.90
Most Penalties:  Hank Neufeld, Winkler - 74 PIM

SEMHL Top 10