Canucks 40th Anniversary
Saturday May 23rd 2009 saw the biggest collection of Canucks in living memory celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club’s founding at an all day event. The fickle Calgary weather cooperated to shine upon two impressive victories for the 1st and 2nd team sandwiching a full-on inter-squad Old Boys game. Caution was thrown to the wind after a 10 minute spell of touch when the tackling became fiercer and fiercer, culminating in a memorable tackle by Jimmy Carson on former Canada player, Dave Lougheed. The injury count was, amazingly, only one broken ankle.
Over 150 Canucks attended the afternoon game, and after devouring over two kegs of beer fieldside, the celebration segued to the Glenmore Inn for a dinner. After a welcome from the club President, Roger Duurtesma, and a Canucks Jeopardy session, the attendees were treated to a potted club history. First up was Quincy Smith, the club founder, who described the 1969 circumstances surrounding the club’s formation. This was followed by John Morgan and Brian Devenish giving a potted history of the 1970’s, Scott MacNeill the 1980’s, Mike Murphy the 1990’s, and Guy Beavers the 21st Century so far.
The evening was rounded off by a club sing song until the relatively early bar closing of 11pm ensured that the Glenmore Inn remained intact. Various tales ensued at a diverse smattering of drinking establishments across the city.
Until the next one.
Yours at the podium
The Chairman