The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
In an attempt to create a safer environment at the rink, the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame is donating an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Whitney Forum. The organization has developed the project to promote the need for the potential life-saving devices in rinks across the province. The Whitney will be the new home of the AED as of tomorrow, with a presentation at the Flin Flon Bomber game. This device has saved many in uncontrolled situations, and Flin Flon Parks and Recreation Director Brenda Russell says itÕs in the general publicÕs interest to be knowledgeable about AEDs. ÒEveryone is being encouraged, whether you are a fan, player, parent or coach,Ó she says, in reference to free clinics being held tonight, November 14, at the Whitney Forum. The clinics are open to anyone eight years and older. They will be held at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. There is also a free skate from 6:30 to 8:30 to promote this campaign. The AED can be the answer in a life or death situation. According to a media release from Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, the device has helped Jiri Fischer of the Detroit Red Wings and former Canadian WomenÕs hockey coach Wally Kozak, along with many others. Throughout Manitoba, three AEDs will be will be installed through the Hall of Fame as well as the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Two have been given to rinks in Winnipeg, while the Whitney Forum was chosen for the rural part of the province. ÒThe Whitney was chosen because of its strong hockey history,Ó says Russell, noting the many former Bombers as well as the 1957 Memorial Cup Bombers who are in the Hall of Fame. ÒWe are pleased that our AED committee selected the Whitney Forum as the location for the third defibrillator,Ó Hall of Fame president Gary Cribbs was quoted as saying in the media release. ÒFlin Flon, of course, has a long hockey history and the 1957 Bombers, along with many players, coaches and builders have been inducted into our Manitoba Hall of Fame.Ó Having the AED installed Ògives people using the facility a chance or survival if they are a victim, and the opportunity for people to save a life if they are the only one responding to the emergency,Ó Russell says. ÒIt will benefit everyone.Ó The following are a list of players and coaches from Flin Flon who have been inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame: Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach (1985) Ted Hampson, Gerry Hart and Alex Shibicky (1986) Duane Rupp (1987) Blaine Stoughton (1990) Al Hamilton and Ernie Wakely (1992) Chuck Arnason (1993) Bobby Kirk (1999) Bob Kabel (2001) Cliff Pennington (2005) Jordy Douglas (2007). Flin Flon-born Eric Nesterenko was inducted in 1990. Hall of Fame builders with a connection to Flin Flon include Pinky Davie (1986), George Allard (1989), Bud Simpson (1997), Dennis McDonald (2003) and Bill Maluta (2007).
