Mooseheads honour HMCS Kootenay survivors

LS (Retired) Allan “Dinger” Bell shows off this year’s special Mooseheads jersey design honouring HMCS Kootenay. Photo by Cpl David Veldman, FIS Halifax.

Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~

The Halifax Mooseheads weren’t able to get a win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs, but they still put on a great show in front of a military-heavy audience on Nov. 8 for the team’s 16th annual DND Appreciation Night.

This year’s game took place in front of over 7,000 fans at the Scotiabank Centre, with the Mooseheads wearing special jerseys to recognize the 50th anniversary of the HMCS Kootenay explosion and those who died.

Along with the Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) flag party, the team welcomed Kootenay survivor LS (Retired) Allan “Dinger” Bell and Rear Admiral Craig Baines, Commander MARLANT, on the ice prior to the game for the ceremonial puck drop.

RAdm Baines thanked the team and the fans for their continued support over the years, as well as for putting the Kootenay explosion front and centre as the Royal Canadian Navy community continues to recognize that tragedy at sea 50 years ago.

“I’m honoured to be standing here in front of you alongside Dinger Bell,” RAdm Baines said to the crowd.

He added the annual Mooseheads game serves as a reminder of the close ties between the Canadian Armed Forces in Halifax and the wider community.

“It’s one of the reasons that Halifax is the place in Canada to wear a uniform,” he said.

The Kootenay crew were also recognized during the regular Canadian Forces Family of the Game segment, with the focus being put on the entirety of the ship’s company and their family members.

“We honour them for their bravery in the face of a tragedy that claimed the lives of nine Kootenay member, and forever changed the lives of the survivors and their families,” said Mooseheads announcer Scott MacIntosh.

As always, DND Appreciation Night was held as a fundraiser for Camp Hill Veteran’s Memorial Building with all proceeds going toward maintenance and upgrades for the facility’s popular Memorial Garden. The partnership between the Mooseheads and DND has brought in more than $200,000 for Camp Hill since its inception, and has been the single largest source of funding for the Memorial Garden.

“To be able to honour and thank the men and women of our Canadian Armed Forces while raffling off our jerseys in support of Camp Hill, is truly special,” said Mooseheads President, Brian Urquhart, adding that everyone in the organization, including the athletes, look forward to the occasion each year.

As for the game, the Mooseheads fell 4-1 to the Voltigeurs, contributing to an unfortunate losing streak for the team. The Mooseheads only offence came from the single goal by Maxim Trepanier, who scored on a deflection in front of the net. Goalie Alex Gravel made 18 saves and took his eighth loss of the season so far.