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 BRANDON WHEAT KINGS 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 Western Hockey League 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 penalty 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 New York Islanders 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 RAY ALLISON: “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. BRIAN PROPP: “(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 LAURIE BOSCHMAN: “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. shot, 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 goal 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, CALGARY 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.