January 10, 2016
1672
The Ripley Wolves will add four more names to their Wall of Fame, just prior to the hockey game against Shallow Lake, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Ripley Arena.
Bill Cameron, Kent Liddle, Russ O’Handley and Travis VanGaver will be honoured for their contributions to the Ripley Wolves Senior "A" hockey club.
Cameron was a long-time member of the Wolves executive, and the team’s assistant general manager. During his 10-plus years as a dedicated member of the committee, he was integral in guiding the team through its first years back in the WOAA Senior "A" league. Although he has resigned from the executive, his work ethic and dedication to the Wolves carries on through the current members.
Liddle is a former captain of the Wolves and current member of the executive. A defenceman, he played 116 regular season games with the Wolves and recorded one goal and 31 assists, led his teammates through some tough years in the standings, but always played with character and class. Well-respected by his teammates and opponents, he played a steadying role on the team’s back end and, more importantly, in the dressing room and community.
O’Handley was one of the first players to sign with the reborn Wolves, giving the team a sense of legitimacy as it re-entered the Senior "A" league after a hiatus. After numerous years in Junior "B" in Listowel and Junior "C" in Kincardine, he was well-known across the league as a tough-as-nails defenceman who would never hesitate to answer the bell for a teammate in need or to fire up his bench. Fifth all-time in Wolves penalty minutes with 415, it’s sometimes forgotten that he could play at both ends of the rink. In 105 regular season games, he scored 15 goals and added 43 assists for 58 points.
One of the best players to ever don a Wolves jersey, VanGaver is the Wolves' second all-time leading scorer, racking up 179 goals and 244 assists for 423 points in only 180 regular season games. He added another 63 goals and 81 assists (144 points) in 84 playoff games. Now enjoying his first year of retirement from senior hockey, he was the player that Wolves fans came to the rink to see, as he amazed the crowd with his puck-handling, vision and ability to finish.
These newest members of the Wall of Fame will be honoured in a pre-game ceremony Jan. 16. At that match, the Wolves take on the Shallow Lake Crushers, a team the Wolves are battling for third in the North Division standings.
It is also Sponsor Appreciation Night, so please help us thank the local businesses who make Ripley Wolves hockey possible through their support.
Related Stories
No related stories.