Testimonial

My son Wayne got traded to St Malo 4 years ago and we didn't know where it was because we're not from Manitoba; we're not even from Canada. Our home is in Fresno, California. Following youth hockey, Wayne ended up with a team in Saskatchewan. He may have grown homesick, being a 17 year old kid, a long ways from home for the first time in his life. His production suffered and he got traded, leaving him with a choice; go to St Malo or go home. Success didn't come easy that year, for Wayne or the team, but he returned the next year and never looked back, He got in shape and has been a top scorer for them ever since. This year he's leading the league in scoring and the team should challenge for Westerns this spring.

Initially I wondered, why would St Malo welcome a California kid? He can score, is one explanation, but there's more to it than that. The people there work hard, play hard and love others who do the same. This year there are 2 Californians on the roster, which could never happen if not for the generous love and care that the people have shown these two American boys. They have welcomed them as their own. I have only two explanations for this. One, it is their nature and two, for the love of the game. Isn't that what Hockeyville is all about?

Many St Malo youngsters dedicate themselves to the sport. Warrior players spend time at the local rink teaching young players and helping them grow their skills so that they may also follow their dream. Warrior players are living their dream, while for these youngsters, that distant dream may one day come true. There is a sense of community in St Malo that has vanished from most American cities. I hope small town Canada never loses this value. It is worth saving.

I can never repay the people of St Malo for all they have done for my son. They helped Wayne become a man and are very deserving of this honor. After my first visit there a couple of years ago, I wrote to the local paper to thank them for my trip. I wrote "I do not consider myself an emotional man, but I felt foolish driving up the 59 highway with tears in my eyes. I composed myself enough to function by the time I reached St Pierre and following a long flight home, I sit here in my office on Monday morning, a better man for the trip. The people of St Malo accepted me as one of their own during my stay and for that I will be eternally grateful. To Coach Ralph Collette, my billet and friend Luc Cure and everyone I met from St Malo, thank you for many memories that will be with me forever. I know why my son likes Manitoba."

Submitted by Bill Ferguson, 2008-11-18

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeyville/communities/StMaloArena.html

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