Navy Vets Gear Up For a Special Weekend

Thursday, 16 January 2020 09:12

Photo Credit: Bill Polzin of The Woodstock Navy Vets (submitted)

The Woodstock Navy Vets will honour their O-H-A Jr. C Championship-winning team from over 50 years ago. Alumni will be on hand at Saturday's game to take part in a special banner unveiling.

WOODSTOCK -The Navy Vets will look to welcome Tavistock to town this Saturday.

Just prior to their game, the organization will raise a banner during a pre-game ceremony celebrating alumni who won the All-Ontario Championship in 1969.

Former Navy Vets goaltender Cam Roberts says it'll be a pretty special night.

"What it means to guys like us and the tradition of Woodstock is the Navy Vets are a very well-known group and it kind of symbolizes Woodstock, Ontario and Navy Vets hockey. I think most people in Ontario would know that Woodstock is the Navy Vets. So from there, we are the first team and the tradition has carried on. We got treated back in the 1960s and I'm sure it stands today that the organization treated us like we were young professionals, they were so good to us. It was an honour to play and a privilege. And 50 years later it's an emotional privilege, an honour to be able to go and stand on the same ice as the 2019-2020 team."

It will also include introductions of those players or their family members and a ceremonial puck drop.

Roberts adds the stands will be filled with young players from minor hockey that carries the name and emblem of the Navy Vets.

Head coach Darren Young says having former players in attendance should make for a great event.

"It should be a great, great event. Great for our fans, great to honour them because of what they achieved. So a pretty special night to be a part of, in my opinion."

The Navy Vets will also host New Hamburg the night before.

After the ceremony, the Navy Vets will then square off against Tavistock in a game with big playoff implications. Woodstock are looking to be among the top three teams of the South Doherty Division, but also looking to earn home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

A reception will be at Goff Hall following Saturday's matchup, featuring past and current players. The public is welcome to attend.