You can’t delve into Timmins history without several discussions about hockey, and how prolific the city has been in supplying players to the NHL. Museum director-curator Karen Bachmann says there have been at least 40.
The first was Al Huggins in 1930. And of course, Bill Barilko scored the winning goal for the Maple Leafs in 1951.
“Pete Babando scored another winning goal in the 1950s that actually led to the Stanley Cup going to Detroit,” Bachmann reminds us. “Those who remember Father Les Costello, he also played on a Stanley Cup winning team with the Toronto Maple Leafs.” That was in 1948.
While Willie O’Ree is the best known NHL player to break the black colour barrier, there’s also one from back in the hockey history of Timmins. Bachmann tells us of the Carnegie brothers. Ossie and Herb, along with Manny McIntyre, made up an awesome line for the Buffalo Ankerite Bisons in 1940.
“Herb went on to play within the NHL, did all kinds of wonderful things in terms of breaking through racism barriers within the league, was a spokesperson with young people, did a lot of really interesting work.”
Next week: More names of NHL players to come out of Timmins, including a couple Schumacher boys named Mahovlich.