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Ron Hutchinson "Without question it's been the highlight of my life in sports," Ron Hutchinson said of winning the Memorial Cup. "The Memorial Cup is the hardest to win. Don Cherry has also said that. Players who have won both the Stanley Cup and Memorial Cup make that claim and it's because of the turnover and change in players." His hockey career didn't end after the Bombers. Hutchinson joined the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Vancouver Canucks in the 1957-58 season and played for them until 59-60 when he joined the New York Rangers and played nine games. "I was disappointed that I wasn't able to stick in the NHL," he said. The Legends of Hockey website, which is linked to the Hockey Hall of Fame site, said "that although his NHL impact was minimal, he was a productive goal scorer in junior and the minors." Hutchinson, like others, said it was tough to earn a roster spot on six teams that had three lines with five defencemen and a goalie. "I was thrilled when I was called up," he said. "I went to the N.Y. Rangers training camp a few times and the WHL was good." Hutchinson considers his career to have been reasonable. In 523 WHL games, Hutchinson collected 120 goals, 151 assists for 271 points. He also spent one season in the Eastern Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers as he collected 20 goals, 30 assists in 59 games. "That was a tough, tough league and it was brutal," Hutchinson said of the league based on the movie Slap Shot. When asked if he played with fear he said "you didn't have any fear. Generally the tough guys went after the tough guys and you just played your game." While with the Canucks, he helped the team win two WHL titles. Once his pro career was done in Cranbrook, B.C., he found work in the forest industry. He now resides in Kelowna, B.C. For the Flin Flon native, his career as a Bomber during started in 1954-55 as he played 16 games. Fast forward to '56-57 and Hutchinson said they were a good team expected to do well. They were also the first Western team in 10 years to win the Memorial Cup. "People treated us so well," he said. "People continued to treat us like champions. "When the final bell went and we go on the ice, I thought 'Is this really happening?'" Hutchinson said. Upon arriving in Flin Flon, a big parade awaited the players. "It's one of those things you dream of," he said. "Until it happens you don't have a clue." He said the key player on the team was Teddy Hampson. "Everyone respected him," said Hutchinson. "He was a leader with how he played." The team also had closeness because of the six to seven locals. "We respected each other and the coach and loved the game," he said. "There were no prima donnas. No conflict at all." One of the things Hutchinson said the team benefited from to win the Memorial Cup was Bob 'Pinkie' Davie, who played for the Boston Bruins and managed the rink, let the team play as much as they wanted at the Whitney Forum as long as they cleaned the ice. "We were responsible for that and locking down," he said. "We had some talented guys. Probably the best team I played on."2/10/06
