Hockey Jackets Find a New Home

Members of ‘60/’61 Islanders make donation to 1,000 Islands History Museum

Homegrown hockey teams can be found in almost every part of Canada – whether tiny village or big city, the game attracts residents who want to get out there on the ice and knock the puck around. They start as soon as they can stand up on skates and slog their way around the ice, then keep going and growing and getting better until they become the team that everyone cheers and follows all season long.

Gananoque is no exception and has been playing as long as anyone can remember.
In the 1960s, Gananoque’s local team was the Islanders – a powerhouse destined to make their town proud.

“Although we probably had a few run-ins during our growing up years, we first met playing minor hockey at the old Wellington Street Rink,” said Murray Roantree, a former member of the Islanders. “We became friends during the midget, juvenile, and junior days playing together.”

Kids had been knocking about the area playing shinny on any convenient bit of ice, or street hockey with someone looking out for cars, or any kind of hockey they could for what felt like forever. Then Lambert O'Meara, Bill Bristow, Hugh McGlade, and Ned Gurney got together and decided to organize a proper Junior League team in Gananoque. It was so popular that local kids raced out for the opportunity to be part of it.

“Without their vision, many players would not have had the opportunity to play higher organized hockey in Gananoque,” said Roantree.

The kids came in droves, all vying to play on a real team. In 1960/61 there were 19 players on the Islanders, all working hard at the game they loved so much. They practiced hard and spent all of their off-time talking to each other and dreaming of becoming superstars.

“I hope whoever reads this can relate to 1960/61 when the Islanders put over 1,100 people in the old rink on Wellington Street for the All Ontario Junior ‘C’ Finals against Stratford, ON,” said Roantree.

Roantree and company were playing against Stratford in the tourney, not Parry Sound, but they do remember that the Gananoque Midgets won a huge game at the same rink.

It wasn't just any game. It was the big one – their Stanley Cup – and they beat the other team hollow. Many people today do not remember that game nor do they remember that on the opposing team was a scrawny 13-year-old kid named Bobby Orr.

“Lost in the lore of Orr is how that game in Gananoque ended and what became of the two players the Bruins came to scout,” said Ronnie Shuker in an article for the National Post. “Gananoque was a powerhouse in the 1960-61 season. Doug (Higgins) and Rick (Eaton) were the team’s two superstars. Both knew that bird dogs from the Canadiens and Bruins were going to be scouting them that night.

After Parry Sound jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first period, Gananoque tied it up 3-3 by the end of the second, with a goal from Rick and a pair of assists from Doug. Eventually, Gananoque took the lead. Orr managed to send the game into overtime, but it would not be his night, even if the game ended up charting his NHL career. Doug got his third assist as Gananoque won the game and the series in overtime.”

Roantree and his friends – Joe Dennison, Steve O’Meara, Ralph Hall, Jim McGlade, and Glen Carpenter – remember their team with fondness. Roantree had actually kept Jim McGlade’s team sweater and had it framed in 1989, hanging it on the wall in his rec room to keep the memories alive.

But time is a cruel task master. As the years slipped by, fewer and fewer of the original players remained.

“With only six players from the original team still around, we knew it was time to do the dedication to the (1,000 Islands History) Museum,” said Roantree.
On August 6, Roantree, Dennison, O’Meara, Hall, McGlade, and Carpenter met with Joanne van Dreumel, Executive Director, at the 1,000 Islands History Museum to make their donation to the museum.

“On August 6, six players of the Thousand Islander Junior Championship Finalist 1960/61 hockey team met at the 1,000 Islands History Museum to formally donate a commemorative sweater and leather jacket to the Town of Gananoque Civic Collection,” said van Dreumel. “The #5 jacket, worn by player Jim McGlade, was already part of the collection. Now his original sweater and Stephen O’Meara’s #17 jacket will join it. Murray Roantree (is) happy to find a perfect repository for it to be held in trust for future generations. The Museum is grateful to these community members who help us preserve Gananoque history and cultural heritage.”

There is a special friendship and camaraderie that comes from being a member of a team. Sixty-five years later, these men are still friends and eager to encourage the next generations to keep coming forward for the love of the game. As Roantree said to all:

“Always play hard and feel good about your accomplishments.”

Originally published by the Gananoque Reporter, Sept. 04, 2025.

By Lorraine Payette, ©2025

Lorraine Payette is a journalist for publications in and around the Thousand Islands region. For several years you can find her columns in the Gananoque Reporter, and as such she covers major events for arts, cultural and, community organizations. TI Life has asked to republish several of her articles recently as they provide an accurate account of so many current events.