Thursday, August 5, 2021 brandonsun.com REPORT GAME RESULTS BEFORE 9 P.M. PHONE 204.571.7442 FAX 204.727.0385 Sports EMAIL [email protected] TRY TO BEAT THAT!: THE 1978-79 Knickle fi t right in after moving west for hockey BY PERRY BERGSON

Rick Knickle, who played Goalies faced lots of with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 1970s, somehow lasted long enough in the game to rubber in late 1970s become the toast of the hock- BY PERRY BERGSON Knickle said. “You don’t get 70 ey world in 1993. in a peewee game.” Knickle came out from Nova If you judge The pair was solidifi ed when Scotia, following in the foot- from the 1970s and 1980s by Charlie Funk was cut in mid- steps of his friend Tim Lock- their goals-against averages, September to reduce the num- ridge, who had lived in Por- you’re probably missing some ber of goalies in camp down to tage la Prairie before the move important information. two. east. Lockridge returned to The 1978-79 Brandon Wheat The two goalies nearly play with the Junior Kings were a force in the West- sawed the playing time down Hockey League’s Terriers at age Rick Knickle ern Hockey League, but in 72 the middle, with Knickle see- 15, making his Wheat Kings regular games, they ing action in 38 games, and debut a year later after a move held their opponent to 29 Olson on the ice for 35. Both the minors in Rochester and I to the MJHL’s Brandon Travel- or fewer shots just 18 times. goalies played in a regular sea- ran into him in Brandon when lers. Conversely, they allowed 40 or son just once, and that came Nolan was playing and he was With ’s gradua- more shots 14 times, because Olson was ejected scouting. He was a real good tion after the 1976-77 season, “That era was just a lot of in the game that ended Bran- .” Brandon was holding an open shots,” goalie Rick Knickle don’s unbeaten streak when he MIKE PEROVICH: “Rick was audition for a new goalie so said. “I had a goals-against of sparked a brawl. quiet. He didn’t say much.” Knickle came out west. 3.10 and led the country al- “The two of them were re- : “Ricky is He was originally assigned most. Now it’s 2.10 or 2.00. It’s ally good,” said. a good guy. We would always to the Travellers, who served as a one- difference but it’s “They were good friends. The be the last ones off the ice, he Brandon’s de facto farm club, crazy the shots I would get. thing about them was that and I. Somebody would shoot but was quickly promoted and Thank God we had an offen- they were consistent. We had pucks and I would defl ect earned the top job, playing 49 sive team because that’s why I a lot of chances to play bet- them. He had the old goalie games. won more than I lost.” ter but we didn’t really have to mask and Rick was standing Nicknamed Schoonie by The wildest example came because we had a lead all the there and I defl ected it and it his teammates because of on Oct. 15, 1978, when the Vic- time. Knicker played well that went under his mask and hit his Nova Scotia roots, he split toria Cougars visited the Key- whole year, and so did Scott. him and cut him for probably playing time with Scott Ol- stone . Brandon won Scott was a little unorthodox 10 or 12 stitches. He said ‘What son in 1978-79 but gradually 7-3, but Knickle faced 72 shots, but he fi gured out a way to the … were you doing?’ and I played more as the playoffs with Victoria fi ring the puck at stop the puck.” said ‘I don’t know what I was went on. He was on the ice for Rick Knickle posted a 3.16 goals-against average in the 1978- him 31 times in both the sec- doing, I was just trying to get the the fi rst two games of the 79 season and was named the WHL’s fi rst-team all-star goalie. ond and third periods. » [email protected] it up high.’ He was a goer. He but the league’s (Brandon Sun fi le photo) “It was one of those nights,” » Twitter: @PerryBergson fi rst-team all-star goalie was stayed after practice. He was replaced by Portland Winter one of the better goaltenders. Hawks pickup Bart Hunter for He played well and everybody ON THE ICE the fi nal three games. liked him. There were a lot of Still, Knickle was taken in players who were leaders, and assists pushed him to 102 points on the season. Dunc McCallum: the sixth round, 116th overall, he was a silent leader.” Brandon 8, 2 “We got a good effort from He had 99 the previous season as a rookie. The everyone but the difference was the line of by the Buffalo Sabres in 1979. : “Rick was Game 47, Feb. 2, 1979 team now headed out on a 17-day, nine-game Kiessig, Gillen and Kempthorne. They defi nitely Knickle returned to Brandon a good goalie. Glen Hanlon Recap: Edmonton’s Bruce Jacobsen was was the fi rst kid I played with road trip against Central and Western Division were the difference in the game. And our for the 1979-80 season and tasked with shadowing Brian Propp. Advantage: opponents. killing was as good tonight as it was bad in in Brandon, and I don’t know then embarked on a profes- Brian Propp. The Wheat Kings star scored three Billings.” if they were in that calibre of BWK goals: Propp (3), Kempthorne, Stewart, sional odyssey that saw him goals and added a pair of assists as the Wheat Patrick, Allison. play until the end of the 1996- goaltending, but Rick was a Kings romped to the win. In an odd touch after 97 season. He may be best re- pretty good goalie, pretty fun- the game, Wheat Kings Brad BWK goalie: Olson. Brandon 5, New Westminster 5 membered for making his Na- damental. He had pretty good McCrimmon praised referee Murray Harding, who Shots on net: 59-39 BWK. Game 53, Feb. 15, 1979 tional Hockey League debut hands.” had recently had been offi ciating in the Central Attendance: 1,798, in Brandon. Recap: Brian Propp had a hat trick but his goal on Feb. 18, 1993 with the Los WES COULSON: “Rick was Hockey League, but moved back to Manitoba Record: 41-2-6. 8:54 into the third period was one to remember Angeles Kings at age 33, and just a fun-loving guy. He just for a job with the ’s Dunc McCallum: “That third period was as it propelled him into the top spot for career appearing in 14 regular season loved life. He was a good goal- Jets. Edmonton scoring leader Ray something we haven’t had in six weeks. There points in history, with games. tender. We had two really good Neufeld watched the game from the stands with was emotion out there … and that’s what this 471, moving him one past Ron Chipperfi eld. On Knickle did amateur scout- goaltenders as a matter of fact. an ankle injury. game is all about … controlled emotion.” the historic play, Propp’s beat New West ing for the Nashville Predators He was a kid from Nova Scotia BWK goals: Propp (3), Allison (2), Perovich, goalie Richard Martens high to the stick side, for 13 years, before joining who worked hard and stopped McDonald, Roberts. and his 12th winner of the season tied the league the as their the puck. He was a good team- BWK goalie: Olson. Brandon 4, Billings 4 record. Brandon led 2-0 after the fi rst, it was tied director of amateur scoring for mate.” Shots on net: 67-29 BWK. Game 50, Feb. 10, 1979 2-2 after 40 minutes and Larry Melnyk tied it 5-5 three years. DAVE STEWART: “Schoonie Attendance: 2,088, in Brandon. Recap: Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, and 4-2 for the Bruins (26-24-5) midway through the third was different. He had lots of period. Coach Dunc McCallum called it the team’s He now lives in B.C. Record: 39-2-6. fi ve minutes into the fi nal frame, Brian Propp and talent but sometime his mind Brad Kempthorne scored three minutes apart to worst game of the road trip. Brandon and New TIM LOCKRIDGE: “Rick and Dunc McCallum: “I tried to juggle the lines early me grew up together. Our dads would wander. He was a good salvage a tie. Kempthorne’s goal was his 20th of West had an all-time record of 13-13-6 against guy. Goaltenders are all a little but then I thought that farther down the road — the season. Former Wheat King Dan Earley had each other. were in the air force so I met in the playoffs — Propp will likely have a checker different.” one of the goals for Billings. BWK goals: Propp (3), Brad McCrimmon, Allison. Rick in Nova Scotia and he just on him all the time. And he got fi ve points tonight kind of clung to me. I came out TIM LOCKRIDGE: “I felt for with a checker on him. I don’t think anyone can BWK goals: Boschman, Kiessig, Propp, BWK goalie: Knickle. to Portage (to play for the Ter- Rick. We picked up the guy check him. He can operate from everywhere.” Kempthorne. Shots on net: 30-25 BWK. riers) when I was 15 and Rick from Portland, Bart Hunter, BWK goalie: Knickle. Attendance: 7,063, in Vancouver. and used him in the Memo- wanted it. I was the one who Shots on net: 48-29 BWK. Record: 42-3-8. rial Cup and I think that was Brandon 11, Edmonton 2 got him a tryout two years Attendance: 4,152, in Billings. Dunc McCallum: “Brian has always got points. later in Brandon to get his foot a real slight on Rick. He took it Game 48, Feb. 4, 1979 in stride and went with it but Record: 41-2-7. He likely could have stayed with us as a 16-year- in the door … If anybody can Recap: In Edmonton’s eighth and fi nal visit to old. But he didn’t — it was more his decision deep down I think it bothered hang in the minor leagues for the Wheat City, Brandon charged out to a 4-0 than ours — and maybe, in the long run, it was 18 years, how much persis- him a little bit.” fi rst-period lead and after Edmonton scored Billings 6, Brandon 5 for the better.” tence is that, especially when : “When Rick twice, exploded for seven more goals. With Game 51, Feb. 11, 1979 got the baton handed to him, you weren’t really getting paid Dunc McCallum in Houston on business, general Recap: The Bighorns scored twice in the fi nal he carried it and never dropped Brandon 3, Victoria 2 a whole bunch? He just loved manager Jack Brockest took over behind the seven minutes — including the winner on the to play hockey.” it. He played extremely well. bench and won for the second time this season. power play with 1:55 remaining — to hand the Game 54, Feb. 17, 1979 GREGG DRINNAN (Bran- He just stepped in and never Kelly Elcombe’s goal, which came when the Wheat Kings their third loss of the regular season. Recap: Larry Roberts scored the winning goal don Sun): “Rick Knickle was missed a beat. He was reliable. Wheat Kings were shorthanded, was his fi rst With the four points Brian Propp picked up on the and added an assist. Brandon led 2-0 and 3-1, not a typical goaltender — I He was kind ahead of his time in the WHL. He was tripped as he broke in, and weekend he led the league in goals (74), assists with the Cougars rallying to within a goal in would say Scott Olson was the with statistics and calculating. slid into the net with the puck under him. In the (74) and points (148). Five of Billings’ six goals the third period. Brandon goalie Scott Olson more typical goaltender — but He had the game fi gured out league scoring race, Brian Propp led with 69 came with the man advantage. Brandon was was terrifi c, stopping 37 shots. Victoria (24-22- Rick certainly had his differ- and a lot of angles fi gured out goals, 72 assists and 141 points, followed by Ray scheduled to host Billings in their fourth and fi nal 10) had entered the contest on a seven-game Allison (40-66—106) and (42- ences. He was really quiet, and before (analytics) were a thing. meeting of the season Feb. 27. The Wheat Kings unbeaten streak. 56—98). I think he might have been a He went on to scout, and he would continue their road trip in Portland on Feb. BWK goals: Propp, Patrick, Roberts. BWK goals: McDonald (2), Lockridge, Patrick, little better off if he had been knew what to look for. He was 14. BWK goalie: Olson. more vocal, only because I a student of the game.” Stewart, Elcombe, Kempthorne, Perovich, Allison, BWK goals: Brad McCrimmon (2), Propp, Kiessig, Brad McCrimmon, Dietrich. Shots on net: 39-24 Vic. think he was a little too hard LAURIE BOSCHMAN: “Rick Stewart. Attendance: 4,651, in Victoria. on himself. It might sound was a stellar goalie for us dur- BWK goalie: Knickle. BWK goalie: Knickle. Record: 43-3-8. strange when they only lose ing our run. He was just very Shots on net: 70-30 BWK. Shots on net: 42-40 BWK solid. We had a pretty produc- fi ve games but I think when he Attendance: 1,712, in Brandon. Attendance: 3,114, in Billings. gave up a bad goal he had trou- tive team and he did a great Record: 40-2-6. Record: 41-3-7. Brandon 4, Seattle 3 ble shaking it off sometimes. job back there in net.” Jack Brockest: “I thought we played terrible in Game 55, Feb. 18, 1979 If there was one player more GREGG DRINNAN: “He was the second period. But the second was the type than any other who was both- a really good goaltender, and Brandon 7, Portland 4 Recap: Brandon took a 3-0 lead seven minutes of period that would put you to sleep. But, I gave into the opening frame, Seattle tied it in the ered by criticism from Dunc, I a good goalie for that era be- them a bit of a pep talk after the second and told Game 52, Feb. 14, 1979 cause he would give up four third period, but Brian Propp won it 16:35 into think it might have been Rick. them they had to outscore Edmonton 4-0 in the Recap: In the second battle of the two league the fi nal frame with his 80th goal of the season. It’s not like Dunc threw goalies and know I better not give up third. I knew we had to win by more than 8-2.” fi ve. He would batten down heavyweights, Ray Allison scored 25 seconds Brandon played without Kelly McCrimmon, Dave under the bus, but if a goalie into the game and Don Gillen added a goal two McDonald and Tim Lockridge, plus Wes Coulson the hatches and they would gave up a bad goal and ev- Brandon 7 Regina 5 minutes later as the visitors got exactly the start was knocked out of the game in the third period eryone in the building saw it end up winning.” they wanted. Brandon led 3-1 after the fi rst period when he was cross-checked into the boards and and the team saw it and knew WES COULSON: “He just Game 49, Feb. 7, 1979 and 5-3 after 40 minutes. Portland forward Perry taken off the ice on a stretcher. X-rays proved it, Dunc wasn’t going to try to went along with the fl ow and Recap: The Pats took a 2-0 lead in the fi rst Turnbull’s hat trick boosted his season goal total negative and he joined the team on the bus to protect the goaltender or lie never seemed to get rattled. 15:28, but Brad Kempthorne scored before the to 58. Brant Kiessig’s two goals gave him 18 on . about the goal. He would say Goaltenders are a different period ended to make it 2-1. After 40 minutes, the season, with linemates Don Gillen (goal and BWK goals: Boschman (2), Allison, Propp. breed anyways but he never Regina was up 4-2 and looking for its fi rst win ‘Rick gave up a bad one and we an assist) and Brad Kempthorne (two assists) also BWK goalie: Olson. can’t have that.’ I think it stuck seemed to get too upset. If he over Brandon. But Brian Propp’s hat trick in the enjoying multipoint nights. Shots on net: 46-30 BWK. with him a little more. It wasn’t let in a couple of bad goals, it third period, plus singles from and BWK goals: Allison (2), Kiessig (2), Gillen, Propp, water off a duck’s back.” never seemed to bother him. Ray Allison, pushed Brandon’s unbeaten streak McDonald. Attendance: 2,100, in Seattle. to 11 games and earned it the Eastern Division STEPHEN PATRICK: That’s the kind of makeup you BWK goalie: Knickle. Record: 44-3-8. “Schoonie was laid back and have to have to be a goalten- pennant. Propp’s game-winner was his 11th of Dunc McCallum: “We had discussed trying to get the season, one off the league record, and his Shots on net: 54-38 Port. relaxed. He had quick refl exes, der.” ahead and then blow them out of the water but » [email protected] 10 hat tricks were three off ’s WHL Attendance: 8,241, in Portland. their goaltender (Ken Hodge) played extremely a real good guy. He was a lot standard. In addition, Laurie Boschman’s three of fun. I played with him in » Twitter: @PerryBergson Record: 42-3-7. well.”