Stanley Cup helps celebrate a century of British ice hockey
The famous Stanley Cup was part of the proceedings in Dumfries to help celebrate 100 years of British ice hockey this week.
Over 250 attendees gathered at Easterbrook Hall for the centenary dinner on Wednesday night to raise a toast to the long history of the sport in the country.
The event has tied in with the International Ice Hockey Federation U20s World Championships taking place at Dumfries Ice Bowl, which conclude on Sunday.
The British Ice Hockey Association began in 1913 with Major Bethune Minet “Peter” Patton serving as the first president of the organisation. In 1999, it was replaced by the current governing body of the sport, Ice Hockey UK.
On the night, ten people were given special centenary honorary awards to recognise their involvement with the sport.
Jim Anderson, Carl Erhardt (collected by his son Kit Erhardt), Andy French, Moray Hanson, Martin Harris, Joy Johnston (Tottman), Pat Marsh, Freddie Meredith, Thomas Muir (senior), Stewart Roberts, Mich Stevenson OBE and Ken Taggart all received special mementos.
Phil Holden, who is heavily involved with Sheffield Spartans and the various Sheffield teams, was named fan of the century in an online vote, sponsored by Ice Tech UK.
Speaking on receiving the award, Holden said: “I cannot believe I won. There were some great people on the stage who do a lot of great work within ice hockey.
“To be named as the winner is really humbling.”
The evening was hosted by ice hockey broadcaster Paul Romanuk and included a speech from the NHL’s Jim Gregory, who said he “would’ve walked over to the UK” to ensure he made the trip.
Phil Pritchard and Craig Campbell from the Hockey Hall of Fame, who brought the Cup to the UK, also presented a slide show of famous Stanley Cup pictures.
IHUK president, Mohammed Ashraf, said: “It was a truly historic evening, giving the sport of ice hockey in the UK one of its proudest moments.
“Having past generations with the future generation made it a night to remember.”
