Friday, August 6, 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 Lockridge the ultimate unsung hero BY PERRY BERGSON

If there was an unsung hero on the 1978-79 Brandon Wheat Kings, it had to be Tim Lock- ridge. The big defensive defence- man was one of the toughest players in the during an era when that was an absolutely invalu- able resource to have. At the same time, the 19-year-old blue-liner provid- ed a steadying presence in his own end when he was on the ice with the more offensively inclined Brad McCrimmon or Mike Perovich. Lockridge, whose team- mates called him Freddy after Tim Lockridge they decided he looked like the cartoon character Fred teammate.” Flintstone, joined the team GREGG DRINNAN: “He was full-time at 17 for the 1976-77 a horse. He could eat minutes, team. A year later, he set the not to Brad’s extent, because franchise record with a re- of the type of player Tim was. markable 392 minutes. I don’t think he was capable In 1978-79, his penalty to- of conserving energy on the tals dropped to 297, but he ice. Because of Brad’s hockey Tim Lockridge was a tough, stay-at-home defenceman for the Wheat Kings during an era when both of those qualities were IQ, he knew when to go hard was able to contribute 52 highly sought after by coaches. (Brandon Sun fi le photo) points (10 goals, 42 assists) in and when not to go hard, but 70 games. NHL scouts took ing on but he kept things … in to protect Propp and Allison great protector of the goalten- Tim went hard all the time so notice: He was drafted in the INDEX a clean way. Opponents would and Boschman and Brad, like der. He would clear guys out there’s no way he could play fourth round, 80th overall, by probably say that as well … he protected everybody. Lots from in front of the net.” the minutes Brad did, but he WHAT’S COMING UP the in 1979. I knew him since I was 13 … of guys could fi ght but he was KELLY McCRIMMON: “Tim- was a minutes eater. His big Lockridge spent his entire  Monday, July 26:    Any time a guy slashed me on one of the toughest in the my was probably one of the thing is that he was there for seven-year pro career with the  Tuesday, July 27:     the hands, I would say ‘Freddy, league. You would watch him toughest guys in the league and his teammates. I’m sure he International Hockey League’s  Wednesday, July 28:    get over here.’ Freddy would out there and go ‘Holy macker- really worked to make himself was like Brad, and if some- Indianapolis Checkers. He  Thursday, July 29:      grab him, and Freddy was a el, look how hard he’s working’ a real good player. Him and one went against the grain,  Friday, July 30:     started selling cars and then lefty and they would grab his and clearing guys from in front Brad played together a lot. He he would straighten them out  Saturday, July 31:    … He would have been one of became a sales manager in In-  Tuesday, Aug. 3:   right arm and I would go, ‘Oh of the net. He was defi nitely a was very well respected in our dianapolis, but moved to Cal-  Wednesday, Aug. 4:   ! you dumbass, he’s a lefty.’” guy you looked up to.” room and very well respected the most feared players in the gary in 1991. He’s been there  Thursday, Aug. 5: "  WES COULSON: “Tim was : “If I have around the league. He earned league that year for his physi- ever since.  Friday, Aug. 6: #  big and strong and tough. to name one guy who got us himself a pro career. He was a cal play, not just his fi ghting. : “(Tim) was  Saturday, Aug. 7:   $  %  I don’t know why guys still through that Portland series, really important player on that He would hurt you along the as solid as solid. He was tough  Monday, Aug. 9: &    ' wanted to challenge him. That which we ended up winning, team.” wall and bury you in the cor- and consistent every game.  Tuesday, Aug. 10:  (  was just crazy.” it was him … Timmy kept the WES COULSON: “We used ner. He was just a tough, tough  Wednesday, Aug. 11:   ) STEPHEN PATRICK: “When other teams honest. There to stay out after practice in player.” When he was fi ghting he was a Thursday, Aug. 12: $  * +  ,(  lefty so people weren’t expect-  Friday, Aug. 13: $  * + ) you take the top four guys was no other way to put it … our 19th year, Tim and I, to BRUCE PENTON: “(Tim) ing that. He was a big player  Saturday, Aug. 14: -'   out of the equation — Propp, It could still be an intimidating get better at our skating, your played a lot of valuable min- and on the power play he Allison, Boschman and Mc- league. It wasn’t all the time, edges and turning and that utes and I know Dunc really helped a little bit. That’s what and someone is picking on you, Crimmon — Tim was really, re- but it could be.” kind of stuff. We would skate liked him. He wasn’t fl ashy but we needed.” Freddy is the fi rst guy to come ally important. He was a good : “Tim circles and once we were done, he was very solid, a big strong DAVE CHARTIER: “Timmy in and drop the gloves. He hockey player, and he was Lockridge was a tough de- we would jump in the car and kid … He was a key guy on that is a gentleman. He was tough. was one of those guys who al- tough. He kept peace on the fenceman, a right-handed go somewhere for dinner or team for sure. McCrimmon I have nothing but good things ways had your back. He wasn’t ice and gave guys more room. , was solid back there on lunch. I used to pick him and was kind of the fl ashy offen- to say about him. He treated fl ashy. He was defi nitely one of I don’t know if I saw a tougher the point and he just provid- Knickle up because I had a car sive defenceman who played us young guys with respect. those stay-at-home guys. He guy than him that year.” ed a presence for us with his and they didn’t.” a lot of minutes but you have He was good to us, he’s like a would get a for us but he DAVE McDONALD: “Oh toughness. You needed that DON GILLEN: “(Tim) was to have the pluggers, the big brother. He’s one of those guys was an enforcer too. When we man, (Tim) was a tough boy. back in the day.” a very unsung player but he strong guys who clear guys out you can like right now.” went on West Coast trips, es- He wasn’t the most talented BRUCE PENTON (Bran- wasn’t unsung in the dressing in front of the net and don’t do BRANT KIESSIG: “You pecially that last year, he was guy but you know what, he don Sun): “Tim was a big kid. room. All his teammates had a it for the attention or the head- needed that guy on the team one or two fi ghts a game. He’s worked hard and took the He was a little gangly and not lot of respect for Tim. He was a lines, but do it because it has to who made some of the smaller another good friend of mine.” man. If anybody wanted to a great skater but he was the guy you could trust in all ways. be done. He was tremendous.” guys … play a couple of inches RICK KNICKLE: “Tim was fi ght, he was there. He was a kind of guy you needed on the He was a tough guy but he was taller. I could play a couple of Brad’s partner. There was so good leader. Nothing would back end. He wouldn’t take any not that way personally. He » [email protected] inches taller because of Tim much more intimidation go- come by him. He was going crap from anyone and was a was a caring, compassionate » Twitter: @PerryBergson Lockridge. Wes Coulson could play a couple of inches taller because of Tim Lockridge. That’s what Tim Lockridge did ON THE ICE for our team. He was a solid defenceman of course but Tim BWK goalie: Olson. on the season, fi ve up on Ashton. Kelly McCrimmon returned allowed us to play a couple BRANDON 6, 4 Shots on net: 37-34 BWK. to the lineup after missing 13 games due to an arm injury. inches taller and every team GAME 56, FEB. 20, 1979 Brian Propp’s 14th game-winner extended his league record. needed that.” Attendance: Unavailable, in Medicine Hat. Recap: Laurie Boschman took just 64 seconds to score and The explosive Wheat Kings had scored 403 goals, 54 more WES COULSON: “We got Brandon led 4-2 after a busy 20 minutes. The teams traded Record: 46-3-8. than second-place Portland. They had allowed 180 goals, 44 along real well. When I wasn’t two goals apiece in the middle frame, with a scoreless third fewer than Portland. playing a whole lot, Tim would Dunc McCallum: “Kiessig and Stewart continued their solid period. Brian Propp’s goal, which came 13:07 into the third play. They both did a good job killing penalties and Kiessig’s BWK goals: Boschman (2), Allison (2), McDonald, Propp. tap me on the shoulder and let period, proved to be the winner. It was his 13th of the season, two goals broke Medicine Hat’s back.” BWK goalie: Olson. me know that things were get- breaking the record that he had shared with Steve Tambellini ting out of hand and he might (Lethbridge, 1977-78), Fred Berry (New Westminster, 1975- Shots on net: 45-27 BWK. have to go sit out fi ve minutes 76) and Rod Norrish (Regina, 1970-71). Brandon fi nally had its BRANDON 4, LETHBRIDGE 3 Attendance: 3,969, in Brandon. (with a fi ghting major), and I fi rst practice of the road trip a day ago: Coach Dunc McCallum should get ready to play. He thought that was one of the reasons the power play was GAME 58, FEB. 25, 1979 Record: 48-3-8. was tough. He was one of the faltering. Recap: Mike Perovich broke a 3-3 tie with eight minutes Billings coach Dave King: “Brandon is a well-coached team. toughest guys I’ve ever played BWK goals: Boschman, Stewart, Brad McCrimmon, Kiessig, remaining for his 15th goal of the season as Brandon They’re the most talented team in the league and they’ve with, bar none.” Propp, Allison. completed its 17-day, nine-game road trip. The Wheat Kings got one of the best coaches in Dunc McCallum. And he’s got MIKE PEROVICH: “(Tim) all that talent playing as a team. They’ve got a great system BWK goalie: Olson. went 6-1-2 on the trip. Dave McDonald scored in his return to was tough. It was nice playing the lineup after a four-game absence. Brandon played without and all three lines play the system well. You don’t get many with him. I could go up with Shots on net: 39-34 BWK. Kelly McCrimmon, Larry Roberts (knee) and Wes Coulson chances against a team like Brandon.” the puck and I knew he was Attendance: 4,625, in Calgary. (neck). Brandon headed home for one game before embarking going to be back there so that on another road trip, this one four games in length. worked out well. I tried to get Record: 45-3-8. BRANDON 5, REGINA 2 BWK goals: Boschman, Allison, McDonald, Perovich. back but sometimes I didn’t Dunc McCallum: “Overall, we played about as well as we GAME 60, MARCH 2, 1979 and I always knew he was back had to, although we had more guys going tonight than we BWK goalie: Olson. there backing me up. Ches- did in the past couple of games. Guys like Steve Patrick, Dave Shots on net: 34-33 BWK. Recap: Laurie Boschman joined linemates Brian Propp and wick (Wes Coulson) was good Stewart and Brant Kiessig really played well.” Ray Allison in the 50-goal club when he scored 19:30 into Attendance: 4,646, in Lethbridge. the second period. The goal also stood up as the winner. The that way too. He had some of- fensive ability too. I loved play- Record: 47-3-8. bad news for Brandon was that it lost rookie forwards Kelly McCrimmon (ankle) and Dave McDonald (badly cut arm) to ing with Tim.” BRANDON 6, MEDICINE HAT 3 Dunc McCallum: “We started off slow. We only had one GREGG DRINNAN (Bran- injuries. With the two players out of the lineup, defenceman GAME 57, FEB. 21, 1979 hour’s ice time in the past four days. And we weren’t moving Don Dietrich skated some shifts on the wing. Brandon also don Sun): “Tim Lockridge the puck as well as we can. The big thing now is keeping the welcomed back defenceman Wes Coulson for the fi rst time was such a great leader and Recap: The Wheat Kings rebounded from a 3-2 defi cit midway kids from thinking about the scouts … We’ve had 25 of them through the game, scoring twice in the fi nal two minutes of since he was injured on Feb. 18. Brian Propp was held without he was so well respected by following us. The kids fi gure that if they make one mistake it a point for the fourth time this season. his teammates. There wasn’t the second period to take a 5-3 lead. With the win, the Wheat may cost them in the draft.” one player on that roster who Kings earned their 100th point, 49 points ahead of the second- BWK goals: Lockridge, Kempthorne, Boschman, Gillen, place in the Eastern Division and 14 up on Tim wouldn’t go to war for. Ev- Allison. Portland for league supremacy. Brant Kiessig’s two goals gave BRANDON 6, BILLINGS 3 BWK goalie: Olson. ery player on that roster knew him 21 for the season, joining Brian Propp (81), Ray Allison that if the situation demanded (47), Laurie Boschman (46), Brad McCrimmon (20) and Brad GAME 59, FEB. 27, 1979 Shots on net: 49-37 BWK. it, and that player was over- Kempthorne (20) in the 20-goal club. Brandon goalie Scott Recap: After 11 scoreless minutes, the Wheat Kings and Attendance: 2,108, in Regina. matched in a fi ghting situation Olson lowered his league-leading goals against average Bighorns exploded for fi ve goals in seven minutes with or whatever, that Tim would to 3.04. Propp didn’t register a point for the third time this Record: 49-3-8. Brandon holding a 3-2 edge after 20 minutes. Ray Allison’s be coming in and bailing them season, snapping a 10-game point streak. Dunc McCallum: “We did not have a good fi rst period. We did out.” second-period goal was his 50th of the season. Saskatoon’s BWK goals: Kiessig (2), Gillen, Allison, Stewart, Brad a lot of scrambling around. We hit at times, but not enough. DAVE STEWART: “Freddy Brent Ashton briefl y passed Laurie Boschman for third in McCrimmon. And the defence did hardly any hitting all night.” was a veteran. He was the fi rst league scoring, but Boschman’s four-point night gave him 119 one, if you were in the corner