Cartwright squad earns long-awaited call to Hall

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This article was published 11/12/2024 (542 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A magic run that began for the Cartwright Clippers almost 40 years ago finally landed them in the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in October.

The SouthWest Hockey League club appeared in nine straight finals through the 1980s and 1990s, winning six of them. It all came from a group of players located almost entirely from within a short radius of Cartwright, a community located 133 kilometres southeast of Brandon and straight south of Carberry.

“It was a really good run, and a great group of guys,” team captain Boyd Mullin said. “A lot of guys had been around for a while, some guys who were ex-juniors and some guys who were very, very competitive and maybe played a little college hockey and stuff like that. We were very fortunate.”

Brett Vincent, who like Boyd played with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Brandon Travellers and spent his 19-year-old season with the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings, said it was a remarkable feat.

“Most of us were within 25 miles of Cartwright,” Vincent said. “I live seven miles from Cartwright, the Haights and the Mullins are all right from Cartwright. Ninety per cent of our team was right from a little town with a population of 350, which is really amazing.”

The new era of intermediate hockey began in Cartwright around 1980 when the Clippers entered the less competitive South Central Hockey League. They won the championship in the second year after some younger players returned home from junior hockey, and made the decision to head to the SouthWest Hockey League for the 1982-83 season.

The Clippers made the playoffs their first three years in the new league, but were unceremoniously bounced twice by Melita, in the first round in 1983 and the second round in 1984, and by the Boissevain Border Kings in the semifinals in 1985.

But the team kept getting better. The Clippers added a pair of Brandon University Bobcats linemates in Tim Morrison and local product Clint Haight, and Vincent joined Cartwright in 1983-84 when there were 18 teams in the league.

The squads could be roughly divided into thirds. About six teams had enough talent to win the league, six could pull off a major upset and six weren’t great.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Cartwright was mainly comprised of farmers from the area, and others from nearby communities.

“I had two brothers play and a cousin,” Mullin said. “It was almost like a big family. There was never a time you felt like there was a rift anywhere. Everybody got along.”

Despite having a roster of guys who were mainly local, the Clippers had a surprising blend of elements. Mullin said that allowed them to win a game in a lot of different ways.

“We had a little bit of everything,” Mullin said. “We could play pretty near any style. I’m not trying to brag, but we played a lot of styles. We could be physical, we had a big club and a lot of talented guys who weren’t big but played big. “We never thought we were out of a game if we were down a goal or two. We were confident. Everybody felt they had a thing to do and everybody did what they needed to do.”

Vincent agreed the team did a lot of things well, but added their captain was their ace in the hole.

“We had Boyd,” said Vincent, who lives just a few miles from Mullin but is actually from Mather, the home of Wheat King legend Terry Yake. “Everybody in the league was a little bit scared of Boyd so we had the toughness right there. He had two brothers, Murray and Danny, and you didn’t mess with them.

“Even the smaller guys on our team, they weren’t going to shy away from anything and that went a long way, especially against Brandon, and after Brandon, Elkhorn too. I’ve been on teams that got bullied around a little bit and you can’t win when you’re playing like that.”

There was also complete team buy-in. The players were willing to do what it took to win and it became the norm.

“At the time, you just expected it,” Mullin said. “I don’t know why I say that, but we didn’t want to accept anything else and we had some very competitive guys on the team. We were on the ice three or four times a week, practising and scrimmaging. If the guys were working in Killarney or wherever, they made practice most of the time. Everybody felt they needed to get in shape and be part of the team.”

Another hometown benefit came in the guise of the Clipperdome, a natural ice facility that was replaced in 2009 by the Mac Robinson Community Centre, which is also called the Clipperdome.

“It was an advantage,” Vincent said. “It was small, and when we went deep into the playoffs, everyone else was done hockey. We were the only ones who were still playing so everybody for miles came to that rink to watch us play. It was pretty cool.

“The ladies would walk along the ice with coffee between periods because nobody could get into the waiting room, it was just packed. There were 1,000 people in there probably, and when there were 1,000 people in that old barn, it was full.

“There was nowhere to sit, everybody just stood.”

DYNASTY BEGINS

After three years of disappointment in the playoffs, the 1985-86 season began inauspiciously for the Clippers, and then took a massive upswing.

After losing their first two games, Cartwright went on a 25-game heater that ended on Feb. 2 in a 12-9 loss to the host Virden Oil Kings.

“Every game became almost like a playoff game,” Mullin said of the streak. “In the late teens, people are starting to talk about the run we’re on and it got to game 25 and we won. We went to Virden and somebody said it would be just another oil change to win this one.

“We lost something like 8-7, it was a shootout. I was almost relieved because we had gotten complacent a little bit. We lost that game and got settled down and the playoffs started and everything went super well.”

After dispatching Elkhorn and Souris in the first two rounds, the Clippers met the two-time defending champion Brandon Spectrum Sportsmen in the final.

Brandon won Game 1 in Killarney — Cartwright’s arena had natural ice so it was unavailable — and Cartwright won Game 2 in Neepawa, where it was held because of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.

Back in Killarney for Game 3, there was a bench-clearing brawl, but the Clippers earned another victory.

“It was wicked,” Vincent said. “I was in a lot of them in junior and that was one of the best ones. That showed Brandon they would have to beat us with talent, and I don’t think they were as talented as us.”

The Sportsmen tied the series in Game 4 in Brandon, with all four games featuring lopsided scores. Cartwright then went up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series with another win in Killarney, which also the first tight game of the series.

Game 6 was in Brandon.

“It was a beauty,” Vincent said. “I think they had us down 4-1 and we had a good third period.”

The winner in Game 6 came when Vincent scored his hat-trick goal with just 20 seconds remaining in a game that had been tied 5-5.

“I can still picture that winning goal,” Mullin said. “I passed the puck up to Brett and he tipped it. I don’t know how he found the room but it went in. It was awesome that first one, because Spectrum was a good, good club and to beat them was pretty special.”

It was also a great memory for the hero of the night.

“I played a lot of pretty good hockey but I had never won anything, whether in junior or senior,” Vincent said. “It was pretty fun.”

In the 1987 final, the Sportsmen regained the title with a six-game victory over Cartwright in the final, but were then unceremoniously booted out of the league.

That left the Boissevain Border Kings and Elkhorn Canadians as Cartwright’s closest rivals, and while they had some competitive series, the Clippers went on a five-year run of championships from 1988 to 1992.

All dynasties come to an end eventually, however, and for Cartwright it happened in the league final in 1993. Up 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, the Clippers lost the next three games to the Border Kings. Cartwright played until the spring of 1996, and then the team folded.

Vincent skated until 1995.

“I was getting older and I had kids in hockey,” Vincent said. “They weren’t the team I played on after that.”

After three years away, the Clippers returned to senior hockey in the 1999-2000 season when they joined the Tigers Hills Hockey League, and took a leave of absence again after the 2022-23 season.

For now, the team remains on mothballs.

THE CEREMONY

Local fans originally nominated the Clippers for the Hall of Fame in 1989 as the team was still in its heyday. But nothing came of it for a long time.

“Nobody heard back,” Vincent said. “We thought that was an honour, just for a bunch of people to actually nominate us. Anyway, it was sort of forgotten for the last 30 years.”

Cartwright was suddenly remembered, however, and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame announced on June 11 it was being inducted as a dynasty team on Oct. 5 at Winnipeg’s CanadInns Polo Park.

“It was pretty unbelievable,” Vincent said.

The other Westman connection who was being inducted was Shane Hnidy, the Neepawa product who had a long National Hockey League career and now serves as a television analyst with the Vegas Golden Knights. The late Ron Maxwell of Brandon was also added in the Hall, which inducted its first class in 1985.

About half of the Cartwright players from the 1986 to 1992 teams stayed in the area, but others moved on over the years. The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame ceremony in Winnipeg gave them all a chance to get together again, and they enjoyed every minute of it.

“That was the best part, to see everybody again,” Vincent said. The players were able to visit with the other people at their tables of 14 during the ceremony, and then rented a big room at a hotel to hang out at after the event was over.

The only regret came from the fact not everyone was in the room to celebrate.

“The only unfortunate thing about it was that a couple of guys passed on,” Mullin said. “One guy who was one of the main players on our team (Rob Maxwell) passed on a couple of years before (in 2019). He was one of the keys to our team so it was unfortunate in that regard, but life goes on.

“It was still good but he played all the years in that run and was actually our ice maker, the odd time you would see him driving the old Zamboni with his skate guards on in between periods. He could do it all.”

Meanwhile, one of the team’s goaltenders for several years, Angus Archibald, died in 2001.

“Those things are sad but the family was there so that made it pretty good,” Mullin said.

Mullin played with Cartwright from 1980 until about 1995. There was some turnover over the years, but nine guys played on every team during the remarkable run. Near the end, they had an influx of four guys from nearby Baldur who didn’t have a place to play.

At the Hall of Fame ceremony, Mullin also enjoyed the chance to reminisce with his former teammates, including some he hadn’t seen in a while. While he calls the entire night an awesome experience, it also allowed him to reflect on a small-town team that achieved big things.

“I sit back now and realize how fortunate we were,” Mullin said. “Lots of guys play that much hockey but don’t get the enjoyment or the accolades we got. It’s just the way it works sometimes. It was an awesome experience that will always be treasured for sure.”

In 1986, the Cartwright Clippers won their first SouthWest Hockey League championship when they beat the Spectrum Sportsmen in six games. Here’s a look back at the series, which was played in a variety of locations because the natural ice was gone at Cartwright’s Clipperdome, and the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair was on at the Keystone Centre.

GAME 1

Spectrum 8, Cartwright 3

• Date: April 1, 1986.

• Where: Killarney.

• Cartwright scorers: Darryl Lamb (2), Hal Haight.

• Spectrum scorers: Ken Schneider (3), Murray Thompson (2), Brad Benton, Kevin Malchuk, Brad Schoonbaert.

• RECAP: With the game tied 2-2 midway through the opening frame, Thompson’s first goal gave the Sportsmen a lead they never relinquished. The Sportsmen were assessed seven of 11 minor penalties and both squads were given a fighting major and game misconduct.

GAME 2

Cartwright 13, Spectrum 3

• Date: April 3, 1986.

• Where: Neepawa.

• Cartwright scorers: Clint Haight (2), Boyd Mullin (2), Hal Haight (2), Brett Vincent (2), Jim Moffat (2), Dale Vincent, Scott Gwynne, Murray Mullin.

• Spectrum scorers: Ken Schneider, Brad Letkeman, Kevin Malchuk.

• RECAP: The Sportsmen lost their first game since Jan. 3 — a run of 15 in the regular season and eight in the playoffs — as the Clippers scored on their first three shots, and put the game away with seven goals in the third period. All but two Clippers had at least a point, and one of them was goaltender Barry Pogson.

GAME 3

Cartwright 10, Spectrum 4

• Date: April 6, 1986.

• Where: Killarney.

• Cartwright scorers: Jim Moffat (3), Tim Morrison (2), Rob Maxwell (2), Hal Haight, Boyd Mullin, Brett Vincent.

• Spectrum scorers: Brad Benton, Ken Schneider, Mike Baryluk, Kevin Malchuk.

• RECAP: A total of 212 penalty minutes was assessed in a game that featured a bench-clearing brawl 6:50 into the second period with Cartwright leading 3-1. The game was delayed about 30 minutes. Allan Johnson was in net for Cartwright, with Ron Popplestone and Wayne Wilhelm both playing for the Brandon club.

GAME 4

Spectrum 13, Cartwright 7

• Date: April 9, 1986.

• Where: Keystone Centre.

• Cartwright scorers: Jim Moffat, Rob Gwynne, Murray Mullin, Darcy Fluker, Clint Haight, Tim Morrison, Dale Vincent.

• Spectrum scorers: Kevin Malchuk (4), Brad Benton (2), Ken Schneider (2), Randy Markewich, Gord Kaluzniak, Doug Murray, John Tressor, Doug Yarish.

• RECAP: The game was tied 3-3 with eight minutes left in the second period when Spectrum exploded for six goals in just over six minutes. Cartwright’s Boyd Mullin and Spectrum’s Paul Murray and Warren Murray each missed the game due to a one-game suspension incurred during Game 3’s brawl. Referee Frank Taylor still assessed 21 minor penalties.

GAME 5

Cartwright 7, Spectrum 6

• Date: April 11, 1986.

• Where: Killarney.

• Cartwright scorers: Brett Vincent (2), Rob Maxwell (2), Blair Marchant, Tim Morrison, Rob Gwynne.

• Spectrum scorers: Brad Benton (2), John Tresoor, Randy Markewich, Paul Murray, Kevin Malchuk.

• RECAP: The teams were tied 5-5 after 40 minutes — Spectrum had been up 4-2 — when Vincent beat Ron Popplestone 8:07 into the third period and Marchant scored 35 seconds later to put Cartwright up 7-5. Tresoor scored on Cartwright’s Alan Johnson with 1:23 remaining, but the Sportsmen couldn’t capitalize on 40 seconds of a six-on-three man advantage at the end of the game to tie.

GAME 6

Cartwright 6, Spectrum 5

• Date: April 15, 1986.

• Where: Keystone Centre.

• Cartwright scorers: Brett Vincent (3), Clint Haight, Hal Haight, Boyd Mullin.

• Spectrum scorers: Randy Markewich (2), Gord Kaluzniak, Brad Benton, Ken Schneider.

• RECAP: In their fourth season in the SouthWest Hockey league, the Clippers won their first title when Vincent’s hat trick goal came with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. Spectrum had led 2-0 and 4-1. Allan Johnson backstopped the victory in the Cartwright net after Barry Pogson was injured during warmup. Johnson, and Wayne Wilhelm in the other net, both had strong games.

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PLAYERS AND STAFF

1985-86

PLAYERS: Larry Bomak, Cory Dobbelaere, Darcy Fluker, Rob Gwynne, Clint Haight, Hal Haight, Alan Johnson, Daryle Lamb, Blair Marchant, Larry Martens, Rob Maxwell, Jim Moffat, Tim Morrison, Boyd Mullin, Dan Mullin, Murray Mullin, Barry Pogson, Brett Vincent, Dale Vincent.

STAFF: Randy Wray (coach), Trent Leece (trainer), Delmer Haight (manager), Bill Bramwell (assistant manager).

1986-87

PLAYERS: Angus Archibald, Larry Bomak, Cory Dobbelaere, Darcy Fluker, Rob Gwynne, Scott Gwynne, Clint Haight, Hal Haight, Daryle Lamb, Trent Leece, Blair Marchant, Rob Maxwell, Tim Morrison, Boyd Mullin, Dan Mullin, Murray Mullin, Barry Pogson, Brett Vincent, Dale Vincent, Paul Vincent.

STAFF: Randy Wray (coach), Paul Leece (trainer), Delmer Haight (manager).

1987-88

PLAYERS: Larry Bomak, Cory Dobbelaere, Darcy Fluker, Brian Ganske, Rob Gwynne, Scott Gwynne, Hal Haight, Daryle Lamb, Trent Leece, Cory McCausland, Ray McLaren, Robert McLeod, Larry Martens, Rob Maxwell, Tim Morrison, Boyd Mullin, Dan Mullin, Murray Mullin, Barry Pogson, Brett Vincent, Dale Vincent, Paul Vincent.

STAFF: Don Yake (coach), Ryan Staple (trainer), Delmer Haight (manager).

1988-89

PLAYERS: Angus Archibald, Larry Bomak, Cory Dobbelaere, Darcy Fluker, Brian Ganske, Scott Gwynne, Hal Haight, Alan Knight, Dan Knight, Daryle Lamb, Jason Lamb, Ray McLaren, Robert McLeod, Larry Martens, Rob Maxwell, Tim Morrison, Boyd Mullin, Dan Mullin, Murray Mullin, Barry Pogson, Brett Vincent, Dale Vincent.

STAFF: Don Yake (coach), Ryan Staple (trainer), Delmer Haight (manager).

1989-90

PLAYERS: Larry Bomak, Cory Dobbelaere, Darcy Fluker, Scott Gwynne, Hal Haight, Alan Johnson, Alan Knight, Dan Knight, Terry Krulicki, Daryle Lamb, Jason Lamb, Ray McLaren, Larry Martens, Rob Maxwell, Tim Morrison, Boyd Mullin, Dan Mullin, Murray Mullin, Barry Pogson, Brett Vincent, Dale Vincent.

STAFF: Randy Wray (coach), Ryan Staple (trainer), Delmer Haight (manager).

1990-91

PLAYERS: Larry Bomak, Darcy Dearsley, Cory Dobbelaere, Darcy Fluker, Clint Haight, Hal Haight, Alan Johnson, Mike Johnson, Travis Johnson, Alan Knight, Terry Krulicki, Larry Martens, Rob Maxwell, Boyd Mullin, Dan Mullin, Murray Mullin, Barry Pogson, Doug Roeges, Brett Vincent.

STAFF: Ed Lamb (coach), Rob Mowbray (trainer), Delmer Haight (manager).

1991-92

PLAYERS: Angus Archibald, Larry Bomak, Darcy Dearsley, Cory Dobbelaere, Corwin Enns, Dale Enns, Darcy Fluker, Scott Gwynne, Clint Haight, Hal Haight, James Heapy, Alan Johnson, Mike Johnson, Travis Johnson, Terry Krulicki, Larry Martens, Rob Maxwell, Boyd Mullin, Dan Mullin, Murray Mullin, David Paddock, Grant Potter, Doug Roeges, Brett Vincent.

STAFF: Ed Lamb (coach), Rob Mowbray (trainer), Delmer Haight (manager).

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