In 1986, the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl ravaged Russia, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded, the Oprah Winfrey show made its television debut and a group of past-their-prime Orillia hockey players decided to form a squad.
During that inaugural season, the team went by the name Sanlot Sports and decided to host an oldtimers hockey tournament at the Orillia Community Centre.
The next year, the team changed its name and has been known, since, as the Twin Lakes Oldtimers.
And every winter since 1986, the club has hosted its popular oldtimers hockey tourney, drawing teams from near and far every year.
Hosting the tournament, while enjoyable and providing a venue for oldtimers to flourish, was not really about hockey.
Through the annual event, Twin Lakes Oldtimers volunteered countless hours of their time for a greater purpose than hockey - to raise money for community projects.
Bruce Goddard, one of the oldtimers who helped found the team, said the local squad of grey beards has done much good.
“I am really proud of what we’ve been able to do over the years,” said Goddard.
For example, the Twin Lakes crew initiated and built the Orillia Hockey Wall of Fame at the old Community Centre on Penetang Street. (The wall is now located at Rotary Place).
“We did that to honour Orillia minor hockey players who graduated and went on to play or have a management role in professional hockey,” said Goddard with pride.
The team also worked hard to refurbish the dressing rooms at the former community centre and upgraded the showers - at no cost to the city.
The team has also been a long-time sponsor of minor hockey teams and has sponsored young players to compete at the AAA level.
In addition, the team has donated funds to the Orillia Lighthouse and made a $10,000 contribution to the building fund of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital by donating proceeds from an NHL Oldtimers Game they hosted.
“That was probably the last time the Community Centre had a packed house,” Goddard said of that 1989 game that featured NHL alumni such as Frank Mahovlich, Darryl Sittler, Andy Bathgate, Norm Ullman, Mike Palmateer and many others.
Throughout the team’s impressive and lengthy 30-plus year history, many players have worn the Twin Lakes Oldtimers jersey as they competed in tournaments throughout North America.
And Goddard is trying to gather every one of those players for a Twin Lakes Oldtimers Alumni Golf Tournament.
The event will be held June 15 at Bonaire Golf in Coldwater.
“It’s for all past and present players,” said Goddard, who noted a dinner will follow the golf tourney.
He said those who do not wish to golf are welcome to attend the dinner.
For more information or to secure your spot in the tournament, call Bruce Goddard (705-325-0433) or Bill Tinslay (705-325-8013).
