Hockeyday 2022 Returning To Young Building At Big E

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA — The Springfield Thunderbirds' run to the American Hockey League championship series last month restored a level of excitement among fans in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut not seen since the Springfield Indians had back-to-back Calder Cup championship seasons of 1989-90 and 1990-91.

On Aug. 6, more than two dozen former Springfield players, executives and special guests will gather in the Young Building at the Eastern States Exposition, as the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society hosts the 10th anniversary edition of Hockeyday. This annual event gives former players a chance to meet fans, sign autographs and tell stories about their days playing in the old Big E Coliseum and the Springfield Civic Center. There will be auctions of hockey items, merchandise for sale and exhibits such as the Thunderbirds team bus and old memorabilia. A cash bar and concessions will be available for purchase.

Among the early commitments are five players who have hoisted the Calder Cup while representing the city, either as Indians or Kings: AHL Hall of Famer Bruce Landon (1971); Mark Heaslip, Tim Jacobs and Paul Shakes (1975); and Shawn Evans (1990). At least one representative of the current Thunderbirds organization is expected to attend, according to Society co-founder Steve Bordeaux.

"It should be a great day," Bordeaux said. "It's a good group; we like to keep it fresh and have some new blood there. Everyone always has a great time, and that's why we get so many guys coming back time after time."

Thus far, 15 players who made it to the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association have committed to attend Hockeyday. Three players who participated in All-Star Games will be on hand: Marty Howe (WHA, 1976), Norm Barnes (NHL, 1980) and Mario Lessard (NHL, 1981).

Barnes, who now resides in Simsbury, played on the Campbell Conference all-star team as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980. That game featured 15 players who were eventually elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, including Marty Howe's legendary dad Gordie, Phil and Tony Esposito, Mike Bossy, Marcel Dionne, Guy Lafleur, Jean Ratelle and the greatest scorer in hockey history, Wayne Gretzky.

The backgrounds and careers of some returning alumni were certainly diverse.

Barnes skated in just two games for the Indians in 1976-77, while Vern Smith played in 316 regular season contests for Springfield, but appeared in just one game for the parent New York Islanders in 1985. Windsor Locks resident Mike Corrigan, who suited up in 161 Springfield games, went on to score 152 goals over 10 NHL seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Mark Bousquet, famous for portraying Andre "Poodle" Lussier in the classic Paul Newman hockey movie "Slap Shot," never played for Springfield during his minor league career, but was a standout at American International College in the city and is among the newest electees to the AIC Hall of Fame.

Hartford fans will be able to meet plenty of Whalers alumni, including Landon, Barnes, Howe, Dave Debol, Bill Bennett and Scott Daniels. NHL veterans Gord Smith, Hartland Monahan, Paul Shakes, Dan McCarthy and Gary Coalter are also among those slated to appear.

The original pro hockey franchise in Springfield was founded in 1926. Thirteen years later, Boston Bruins star defenseman Eddie Shore bought the team and owned it until 1976. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the second class in 1947, and his uniform number 2 was retired by the Bruins. He died in 1985 at age 82, and is buried in Hillcrest Park Cemetery in the Sixteen Acres section of Springfield.

Shore's son Ted was likely the youngest executive in pro hockey history, being named a team vice president at age 9. He is now 92, and plans to be in attendance at Hockeyday.

Doors open for the event at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15, and may be obtained online at Hockeyday2022.eventbrite.com, or in person at Steve's Sports, 94 Front Street, West Springfield. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Adjacent to Steve's Sports is a small museum maintained by 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, or by calling Bordeaux at 413-746-1696.