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Former Hawks coach going to SJHL Hall of Fame

Dec 6, 2018 | 1:47 PM

It’s the Nipawin Hawks turn to honour some of the greats from their organization.

On Aug 3, the Hawks, along with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League will induct 10 hockey individuals, and the 1989-1990 Hawks team that won the SJHL title, and Anavet Cup. The festivities will feature the Nipawin Hawks Alumni Golf Tournament, as well as an induction ceremony, all taking place at the Evergreen Centre in Nipawin.

Inductees this year include Gerald Botterill, Greg Classen, Derek Crawford, Curtis Murphy, Nolan Schaefer, Mark Smith, Wes Smith, Rejean Stringer, and Bob Woods. Another inductee is former Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Thompson who was with the team from 1993-2000. Thompson said it’s great to see so many familiar faces entering the hall with him.

“The best part of it is the fact that five of the six players that are going in are my guys.” Thompson told northeastNOW. “That really makes me proud, and it’s a good feeling. I think we’re going to have a great time in August, and I hope the community can come out.”

Thompson said he dedicated his induction to a couple of former players.

“I dedicated my induction to Graham Christie and Kyle Miller,” Thompson said. “Two guys who are very special in my heart.”

Thompson said he doesn’t have one special memory with the Hawks, because there was so many.

“We had the most kids go on and play at the division one scholarship level of any team in the SJHL at the time.” He said. “That was a really proud feeling to see the guys go on and reach their goals. But we just had a lot of fun and I just remember those days, at the rink, being all together in the mornings and doing things outside of hockey that made it very special.”

Thompson said it will be a great event in August, not only for himself, but his family as well.

“We’re very proud of the opportunity as a family,” Thompson said. “My wife, and my daughters and I. We look forward to going back to Nipawin and enjoying that induction.”

It is also the league’s 50th Anniversary, and Commissioner Bill Chow said they don’t have anything major planned for the Hall of Fame weekend as of yet.

“We’re just trying to do business as normal,” Chow said. “We have our 50th Anniversary book that’s coming out here probably within the next week, which will be out shortly. I think that’s going to be the basis of it, and we’re kind of seeing what springtime brings us.”

Registration for the Pineland Co-op Nipawin Hawks Alumni Golf Tournament opens on Jan 7, 2019.