Hockey has changed quite a lot since Ronnie Paterson was chosen to join Team Canada for a chance at Olympic gold.

That was in 1980, at Lake Placid, N.Y. 鈥� the same year a U.S. team of young college players defeated the powerhouse Soviet Union squad in the semifinals.

Now a proud parent and grandparent, Paterson reflects back on those days with fondness.

鈥淚t was a tremendous experience. Any time you鈥檙e representing your country is a very proud moment,鈥� he said.

Paterson found out less than two weeks ago that he would be one of this year鈥檚 B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) Class of 2023 inductees, when his longtime friend (and retired Canadian sportscaster well-known for his play-by-play National Hockey League commentary) Jim Hughson gave him a call.

They鈥檇 caught up about what each had been up to and chatted about their grandchildren, when Hughson let him know the purpose of the call.

鈥淚鈥檓 calling you as good friend and chair of the (BCHHF) board advising you that you鈥檙e being inducted into the BCHHF,鈥� Hughson told Paterson.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very, very humbling. I鈥檓 very proud and very reflective, based on what it represents 鈥� I know how many special athletes have historically been inducted into the hall and then to learn who else was going in this year was also an extremely proud moment for me.鈥�

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Back in 1980, Olympic hockey teams were comprised of college and junior (amateur) players, he noted, which meant 鈥� as a 23-year-old goaltender for the UBC Thunderbirds 鈥� he had the chance to try out for the Olympic team.

He joined the national program under famed Canadian coach Father David Bauer in the late 1970s and trained for a year and a half in Calgary, and ended up being one of three goaltenders who went to Lake Placid.

The White Rock Whalers (Pacific Junior Hockey League) owner and former Surrey Eagles (BC Hockey League) co-owner played plenty of games for Canada in the run-up to the Olympics 鈥� at locales all over the globe 鈥� but served as the team鈥檚 third goaltender at the tournament, which meant he wasn鈥檛 in uniform for the games.

He did, however, get to spend some time with the broadcast crew, which included NHL legend Ken Dryden and play-by-play man Al Michaels, the latter of whom voiced the famous line, 鈥淒o you believe in miracles?!鈥� when the U.S. won the semifinal game.

The U.S. eventually got the gold medal with a win over Finland in the final.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 optimal 鈥� I really wanted to play 鈥� but it was still pretty cool,鈥� said Paterson, who was in the building for the famous game, and called it 鈥渋ncredible.鈥�

Canada finished out of the medals, in fifth, at Lake Placid, though Paterson said they certainly had the skill to compete with teams that finished on the podium.

Goaltending was much different in 1980, he recalled.

鈥淚鈥檓 5鈥�6鈥� nowadays you have to be 6鈥�5鈥�,鈥� he pointed out.

鈥淭he goaltending was more angles and reactionary and quickness,鈥� Paterson said.

鈥淭he position has changed a lot 鈥� and, I think, for the better 鈥� I really marvel at these goaltenders today at how they stop the puck. It鈥檚 been fun to watch the transition. It was certainly a lot different then then it was today鈥� I remember we would practise for the Olympics twice a day and the pads would be soaking wet and heavy afterward.鈥�

Still, he 鈥渉as nothing but fond memories鈥� of those days and enjoys the 鈥渞ich experiences and friendships that remain very special.鈥�

PATERSON INTO THE HALL!
Congratulations to our leader Ronnie Paterson for being inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame under the Builders category. Ronnie has made a significant impact and contribution to the game of Hockey.

Congrats Ronnie and the rest of the Class of 2023

鈥� WhiteRockWhalers (@WRWhalersHockey)

While he briefly entertained the idea of playing professionally in Europe after the Olympics, Paterson returned to UBC and completed his degree in education.

When Molson Breweries 鈥� a major sponsor of the national program 鈥� offered him a job at their brewery, and he spent 25 years there, working in sales.

Now, he and his family own several successful pubs and liquor stores, which his two sons are involved with.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e always been involved in the game as well and the family business鈥� I鈥檓 very honoured to see them grow and develop it. Hockey and hospitality have been a big part of my life,鈥� he said.

As owner of the White Rock Whalers, now in their fifth year 鈥� and up 3-1 in a playoff series against the Richmond Sockeyes (as of Thursday morning, March 2) 鈥� Paterson is proud of how the club allows players to continue to play hockey at a competitive level, but also, helps prepare them for life after the arena.

鈥淲e try to offer them not only good hockey experiences but good life experiences as well. To be competitive and to win is important, but it鈥檚 about finding that balance,鈥� he said.

He鈥檚 also involved with a hockey skills camp that happens in Port Alberni for four weeks every summer, so hockey is still an integral part of his life.

He remembers everything his mom, who was a single parent after his father died when he was quite young, did to make it possible for he and his siblings to enjoy the sport.

鈥淚 know the sacrifices she made just to allow us as young children to play the game鈥� that wasn鈥檛 easy for her,鈥� he said.

鈥淪he really gave us a foundation to work from in terms of sacrifice and commitment.鈥�

鈥� with Peace Arch News files

tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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