Hockeyday Returning To Bring Together Springfield Ice Legends

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA — For nearly a century, professional ice hockey has been a popular attraction in Springfield, drawing enthusiasts from all over western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. Hockey Hall of Famers such as Lester Patrick, Punch Imlach, Gump Worsley and Billy Smith have all been affiliated with the franchise - whether it be under the Indians, Kings, Falcons or Thunderbirds nickname - but none more prominently than the legendary Eddie Shore.

Shore, a standout defenseman with the Boston Bruins, bought the Springfield Indians in 1939. Under his ownership, the club won five Calder Cups in a 15-year span between 1960 and 1975. Interestingly, his son Ted was likely the youngest executive in pro hockey history, being named a team vice president at age 9.

Ted Shore is now 91 and is expected to be among the guests at Hockeyday, an annual event sponsored by the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society.

In an interview last month at a golf tournament, Shore said, "Hockey has been in Springfield ever since. And we want to keep it here. That is why one of the things I am trying to do with the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society is keep people interested in hockey."

After missing last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the celebration of Springfield's ice history returns to the Eastern State Exposition in the Better Living Center on Saturday, Aug. 7, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

A number of Springfield stars of the past, plus some special guests, have attended Hockeyday in recent years. Among the early commitments this year is Mike Corrigan, who scored 152 goals over 10 National Hockey League seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Corrigan, who scored 60 goals with the Kings' farm club during all or parts of three seasons from 1967 to 1970, said, "I never miss Hockeyday; it is such a fun event, and I love meeting people."

Also returning are Paul D'Amato and Mark Bousquet, who portrayed Syracuse Bulldogs goons Tim "Dr. Hook" McCracken and Andre "Poodle" Lussier in the classic 1977 Paul Newman hockey film, "Slap Shot."

Tickets are $25 and include admission, a catered lunch, a commemorative program, parking and more. Former players and VIPs will mingle with guests, sign autographs and tell stories about their days in New England. Artifacts from Springfield's hockey history will be on display, memorabilia will be auctioned and merchandise will be available for sale.

Tickets may be obtained online at Hockeyday2021.eventbrite.com., or at Steve's Sports in West Springfield or Gateway Hardware in Springfield.

Adjacent to Steve's Sports at 90 Front Street in West Springfield is a small museum maintained by Society co-founder Steve Bordeaux. Memorabilia inside the museum covers the entire 95-year history of professional hockey in the city, including jerseys, programs, autographed photos, trophies and bobbleheads.

More information about the Society may be obtained at office@hockeyspringfield.org.

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