Anthony Dransfeld
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the World Ice Hockey Championships, here in Prague (truly one of the beautiful cities of the world) last week.
As usual there is the usual Kimberley B.C. “hockey connection” Tyson Barrie of Team Canada has Kimberley hockey genes. His Grandfather Lennie Barrie was an excellent hockey player in Kimberley during the 1960s, playing alongside his brother Gord Yards Barrie.
Len married his Selkirk High School sweetheart Arlene O’Bray (Class of 1967) and they moved to the Okanagan Valley, where Len became a schoolteacher, and a very successful Minor Hockey Coach.
Len Junior arrived on the scene, and ultimately had a 250 game career in the National Hockey League. Now Len and Arlene’s grandson Tyson Barrie is playing defense for the Colorado Avalanche, and was named recently to Team Canada. Shortly after writing this I saw Tyson score a goal for Canada against Austria.
Canada then defeated the Czech Republic, to earn the right to play Russia in the Gold Medal game.
By the way Kimberley hockey fans, you never realize how great Sydney Crosby is, until you see him play live. Television does not do this man justice.
Tyson Barrie acquitted himself very well on the Canadian defense. After losing the game with Canada (a beat down) some Russian players left the ice before the playing of our Canadian National Anthem. (very rude).
By the way Tyson Barrie is a terrific skater, much like my old classmate Len, (now known as Senor). Kimberley is still home to sister Barb Barrie who married Jim “Wolf “ Kadin, a very gifted hockey player in his own right. ”Wolgang“ played Major College hockey in the U.S.A., before returning to Kimberley. Barb and Jim taught school here in Kimberley for many years, before retiring.
It was nice to see Tyson Barrie play so well, after his serious knee injury, suffered last season while playing in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche. Len ( Senor ) Barrie and Arlene are retired in Victoria, and travel to see Grandson Tyson play whenever they can. It is quite the Kimberley hockey family, spanning 55 years and counting. Many thanks to my friend in Canada Hockey for the complimentary ticket, what an experience to be in a foreign rink cheering for CANADA, and we won it all.