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.
Flin Flon Bombers defenceman Ken Willey was so excited to win the '57 Memorial Cup, that he immediately headed for the dressing room prior to the cup presentation. "I couldn't believe it. I just got off the ice after winning and was ready to celebrate without the cup," Willey said from his home in Kimberley, B.C. For him, it was just an unbelievable feeling. "There's more value after than at the time," he said. "It was an honour. People treated us like royalty. I do believe we didn't know how good our team was." Willey, who considered himself a stay-at-home blueliner, enjoyed his junior career as he played alongside Duane Rupp. "He was great and we killed all penalties," he said. "We looked after the backend. Once his Bomber career was done, Willey played in the International Hockey League for three years and senior hockey before hanging up the skates. Every summer Willey makes his way to Flin Flon and lives on Big Island Lake, but enjoys living in B.C., where he's been for the past 40 years. "I love it here," Willey said. "It's a mining town similar to Flin Flon and it's a great place to raise a family."
