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Pane SECTION B THE HERALD Wednesday March Hockey Heritage Honors A Great The irascible Red night to remember By MIKE TURNER Herald Sport Editor The 11th recipient of the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award appropriately honored with a gala dinner Monday night and there can be no doubt that Walter Red la more than deterring of audi an honor Surrounded by family and friends Red was presented with a wide variety of plaques and special gifts in recognition of his service to the Georgetown hockey community It was a nice evening Red said as he was congratulated by the last few at the end of the evening A very very nice evening I didnt know whit to expect but I enjoyed every minute of It There were a few surprises for Red throughout the evening One of the biggest was a letter read by Bob Hooper congratulating him on his being named for the award It was from Frank Bishop of Manitoba who came to know Red through the International Bantam Tournament back In the early 60s and has been a friend ever since The letter began Congratulations you old bugger And It was at that point that Red knew exactly who It was from Bill Walters renowned in profes sional hockey as a player agent was guest speaker for the dinner and It was only appropriate Red has known Walters for many years after having served with his father overseas In the Second World War The Asseltine clan filled a large table and then some at the dinner All of Reds immediate family was there except for bis daughter Judy Francis and her family who were unable to attend from British Colum but years people be bad seen grow up In the hockey ranks and otters he had worked with during his hockey years The whole nights was terrific Red said There were a lot of memories Thats why I kind of got choked up There were more things going through my mind in five minutes Tributes were paid to Red In the form of special gifts throughout the evening Locally be was honored by Georgetown Minor Hockey the Junior B Gemini Hills Mayor Miller and Ken Bellamy of the Georgetown dent Don publisher of the Herald presented the photo portrait to Red which will eventually be bung in the Alcott Arena along with the portraits of other recipient Other presenters included Peter Pemeroy Regional Chair man Al Norton acting on behalf of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney Morrison President of the NHL Hall of Fame Walt Elliot end representatives from tbe In accepting the accolades Red spoke of his rewards in working with hockey In Georgetown Hut Involve ment in the organization of the Ban tarn Tournament has helped him moke a lot of friends coast to coast One man couldnt have made a thing like that go without a hell of a lot of help And I had a hell of a lot of help There was a price to pay through the years but Red never quibbled about It I had a good wife end an understanding family and I missed Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada who was serving as emcee for the evening summed it up well when he paid tribute to Red marvellous thing and tonight Its yours If there was anything that could be considered a disappointment In the evening It was the announcement that Red and Jean will leave Georgetown in May to live at Elliot Lake The community will lose two stellar citizens in the But no one wishes them anything but the very best Bill Walters right talks hockey with Toronto Maple Leafs player Greg Terrion left and Brad Motor Smith It he NHL Hall of Fame offers Notsostill When Bill speaks about the game of he does so with a lot of authority But thats not to soy he has all the answers and he certainly wouldnt try to lead anyone to believe be does As guest speaker of the 11th Annual Georgetown Hockey Heritage Din ner Monday night Walters his analytical opinion on several mat ters from an outside observers perspective was in Calgary for the recent Olympic gomes where Canadas fourth place finish in hockey was termed by many as a disappointment No stranger himself to International bockey Walters has definite ideas on what course the Canadian Olympic hockey program should take I familiar with the frustrations of playing and being beaten by the Sotlets he said I felt badly when we were unable to compete at the Watters has the utmost respect for Team Canada coach Dave King and sees him as one of the brightest men In hockey today But as for as hes concerned the four year Olympic program should be scuttled and there should be more of an NHL influence to bolster the power of the Olympic team To close down the NHL for a period during the Olympics is totally unrealistic according to Watters but there could be an allotment of players for a December through March commitment with NHL teams being compensated for their services The far greater amount of money dished out for the fouryear plan could then be put toother use Wallers said I think It would be a more competitive program and something the NHL could live with The other hockey focal point Walters keyed on was the dismal situation the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently facing again as on Interested observer The dubs biggest problem according to Watters is a total lack of communication There ore two sets of rules in Toronto he says One for Clark Dave and Secord and one for the others has distinct Ideas about where the troubles lie and hes even indicated them to the person the centre of It all Leaf coach John is a hard working coach and Ive never seen a coach who works harder Watters says But either the players cant comprehend or they arent being told anything I don I see the best chemistry I wish them nothing but thebest but there have to be major changes Two people who no doubt listened to Waiters comments with great In terest were Brad Smith and Greg of the Maple Leafs Smith has been working back into shape after being out most of the season and was taking a few games rest for a groin Injury Addressing the audience Smith sold with respect to Bills tirade I think Bills a genius to you truth Then with tongue in cheek Smith informed the group that a new Japanese coach had been enlisted by the Leafs to help them out of their Win One Soon was expected day in St Louis hand for the Leafs game Warmth from the West Among the accolades received by Red Monday night none was more heartfelt than a letter that came from the community of Manitoba Frank Bishop first met Red in 1961 when he brought his Winnipeg Ambassador Hockey Club to the Georgetown International Bantam Hockey Tournament Since that time they been close friends were It not for prior travel plans Prank would undoubtedly have been at the Heritage Din to offer his congratulations In person Frank remembers his Introduction to the irascible Red When we first walked Into the arena and be was there to meet us I thought I m never going to get along with this guy But we became great friends It obviously didnt lake Frank long to see through Reds facade The way I see Red he was biggest bluff in the world Frank know hes tough his war record shows that But when it comes kids and his pussycat Frank has fond memories of the several years he brought a team to the Bantam tournament Georgetown will remember the Ambassador players for their distinctive red hats set off by white feathers They were worn so the coach could collect them all at night It was the biggest tournament in Canada and the best run Frank says We always knew where we stood Once you were put out you had to get out But the people In Georgetown kept our Mas the whole week because wed They really treatedour kids well Wilh Franks permission his letter to Red Is reprinted here SB Red test- Wren DM Brander of 11m Herald preMnti a portrait to Rod trill lung la toe Arena abas portrait ol outer recipient