The short-lived hockey team’s creation caused great excitement at AHSS
(with almost 80 students registering for the team’s first tryout)
but also within the local communities.
(with almost 80 students registering for the team’s first tryout)
but also within the local communities.
Almaguin’s hockey team, The Highlanders, was established in the fall of 1975. It was the brainchild of teachers Doug McDonald (son of local legend “Bucko” McDonald), Gord Forrington and Bill DeVries who all realized the depth of local hockey talent.
The team’s creation caused great excitement not only at the school (with almost 80 students registering for the team’s first tryout) but also within the local communities. A local businessman made an anonymous and very generous donation that got the program underway.
Home games for The Highlanders were played for the most part in the local rinks in Sundridge, South River and Powassan. It was not uncommon for 600 or more fans to attend from buses loaded with students who would often travel from the high school. The ticket sales from these games were very important for the team to help cover the very high costs of busing, equipment and ice time.
As no other high school in the MPS district had a hockey team, The Highlanders spent the first couple of years playing only exhibition games against schools from North Bay, Barrie and Orillia before playing down for the Ontario High School Championships. The road to All-Ontario always took AHSS through St. Andrews College – a prodigious private school that was a real hockey powerhouse. AHSS played them all five years that it had a team and while only beating them once, the series were all really close and hard fought.
Beginning in the fall of 1978, Almaguin played regular season games against North Bay schools but was not allowed to play in the playoffs against them due to being in a different district. This arrangement lasted for only a couple of years, and with no league to play in, the team was forced to fold.
It was a shame – but it sure was great while it lasted!!
The team’s creation caused great excitement not only at the school (with almost 80 students registering for the team’s first tryout) but also within the local communities. A local businessman made an anonymous and very generous donation that got the program underway.
Home games for The Highlanders were played for the most part in the local rinks in Sundridge, South River and Powassan. It was not uncommon for 600 or more fans to attend from buses loaded with students who would often travel from the high school. The ticket sales from these games were very important for the team to help cover the very high costs of busing, equipment and ice time.
As no other high school in the MPS district had a hockey team, The Highlanders spent the first couple of years playing only exhibition games against schools from North Bay, Barrie and Orillia before playing down for the Ontario High School Championships. The road to All-Ontario always took AHSS through St. Andrews College – a prodigious private school that was a real hockey powerhouse. AHSS played them all five years that it had a team and while only beating them once, the series were all really close and hard fought.
Beginning in the fall of 1978, Almaguin played regular season games against North Bay schools but was not allowed to play in the playoffs against them due to being in a different district. This arrangement lasted for only a couple of years, and with no league to play in, the team was forced to fold.
It was a shame – but it sure was great while it lasted!!
Notable Hockey Alumni
Bill DeVries (In the “Builder’s Category”)
Mr. Bill DeVries was very proud of his efforts in getting the hockey team started. He knew that a high school team could be great given the success of the local minor hockey associations. (And he should be able to appreciate good talent….his son Greg spent 13 seasons in the NHL.)
Mr. DeVries felt that one of his biggest contributions was picking the home rink where the team would play each game. He would base his decision on the strengths of the Highlander players and the expected weaknesses of their opponents. In the inaugural year, he particularly liked playing on the small ice surface of South River because the AHSS team was very fast but also had some really big tough players.
Bill DeVries (In the “Builder’s Category”)
Mr. Bill DeVries was very proud of his efforts in getting the hockey team started. He knew that a high school team could be great given the success of the local minor hockey associations. (And he should be able to appreciate good talent….his son Greg spent 13 seasons in the NHL.)
Mr. DeVries felt that one of his biggest contributions was picking the home rink where the team would play each game. He would base his decision on the strengths of the Highlander players and the expected weaknesses of their opponents. In the inaugural year, he particularly liked playing on the small ice surface of South River because the AHSS team was very fast but also had some really big tough players.
Team Photos
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
Assistant Captain Peter Murdoch, Captain John Forrington, Assistant Captain Will Conrad
Back row from left: Bill Lang, Elvin Morkuna (Trainer), John Driver (Trainer), Dan Culbert. Middle: Ian Hain, Walter Edwards, Scott Pinkerton, Stan Whitehead, Mike Van Reekum, Rick Dubois, Bob Dermott, Brian Scarlett, Terry Armstrong, Paul Neal. Front: Mr. Doug McDonald (Coach), Mr. Bill DeVries (Coach), Peter Murdoch, John Forrington, Randy Copland, Jim McLeod, Will Conrad, Kerry Carnevale, Mr. McCord (Coach), Mr. Gerry May (Coach)
1978-79
1979-80
Back row from left: Babs Aiyede, Gord Grasser, Jeff Johnstone, Brian Brown, Rick Dubois, Ted Lang, Kevin Pinkerton, Dave Odrowski, Rob Welch. Front row: Gary Binkle, Rick LaCombe (Trainer), Mr. Bill Devries (Head of Physical Education Department), Dan Desjardins, Mark Odrowski, Dan McCabe, Mr. Doug McDonald (Assistant Coach), Mr. Gerry May (Manager and Treasurer), Steve Beaton. Missing: Jim McCord (Coach)
Rick Dubois: Best Defence Nipissing District Hockey Association
Dan Desjardins
Dan Desjardins (Assistant Captain), Mark Odrowski (Captain), Dan McCabe (Assistant Captain)
