The Red Circle Hockey Club was built on the ideas of people like Mac Beach, Al Langille, and Jim Leonard, who felt that there were kids (and parents) who didn’t want to play stringent competitive hockey. These kids were not your superstars. They just wanted to be involved in a hockey program where they would be treated equally and get as much ice time as everyone else.
The Stronach Minor Hockey League evolved from Mac’s dream, and provided a ‘house league’ program for these young kids. There was still competition between the teams, but not at the ‘win at all costs’ level. Soon, the program grew and included players from ages 5 to 17. In 1971, the club was incorporated as The Red Circle Hockey Club, with the following philosophy which is still in place today, more than 45 years later: Equal Opportunity Regardless of Ability. And this year, more than 1,100 players on 77 teams are living by that philosophy and having a lot of fun playing the great game of hockey.
Mac, Al, and Jim were the first presidents of the club. In the years to follow, such names as Bob Booth, Pete Schmid, Jim Backus, Murray Currah and Don Hodgins added their leadership. Many of the ideas and changes made by these people are still in effect today.
Bea Booth, the mother of Red Circle, ran the concession booth at Stronach for many years, and was known to every player in the club. She was instrumental in forming the Ladies’ Auxiliary, which, until recently, operated as the Red Circle Booster Club.
In the first year of operation, Red Circle teams captured first place. As the girls grew into young women, they still wanted to play Ringette. Stu Murray and Ray Gibson coached the Merry Timers to several provincial championships during the group’s history.
Although the club was set up as a house league program, there was a desire to play more competitive hockey with other clubs. A new organization, the Provincial Minor Hockey Association, was formed and non-affiliated clubs from Oshawa, Brantford, Hamilton, and Copper Cliff joined. Red Circle formed ‘Select’ teams from each division, and these teams participated in and won many championships across Ontario. We still have the Select Program today. Players who are registered and play in our House League Program make up those teams.
The most notable for Red Circle player is Eric Lindros, who started playing in our Tyke Division and was a superstar even before joining the Oshawa team and moving on to the NHL. But Eric did not forget his roots. When he was selected as ‘Player of the Year,’ he was given a monetary award to be donated to his favourite hockey organization. Eric’s coach in Red Circle was Aussie Sharrard, and Aussie attended the award ceremony and accepted a cheque from Eric on behalf of Red Circle.
Contributions by David Dawe
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