The first half of the annual Kensington, P.E.I.-Bedford, Que., Peewee Friendship Hockey Exchange will take place this weekend.
For player profiles of the Kensington team, click here:
The exchange, which is celebrating its 47th anniversary this year, started in 1969. Eric Jessome, who was managing Community Gardens at the time, along with Raeburn Orr of Bedford and Alex Chessman of Kensington, came up with the idea of a hockey exchange between the two communities. Orr and Chessman were managing the Seabrook’s Farms frozen food plants in their respective communities.
Over 800 players have made the trip by plane, bus and train over the years.
One of the unique aspects of this exchange is the players are billeted in the homes of the opposing team, and many friendships have continued long after the event.
Second generations
This year, there are a number of second generations participating in the exchange. There are eight in all – five from Bedford and three from Kensington.
There is also a family travelling with the Bedford group that has connections to the exchange spanning four generations – Gordon Callaghan, Vicky Callaghan, Jason Bockus and Gabriel Bockus. The Callaghans have been very active in the exchange for most of the 47 years.
Arrive Friday
The Bedford contingent is scheduled to arrive at the Kensington Royal Canadian Legion on Friday afternoon. A welcome dinner will be held that evening.
The action on the ice gets underway at Community Gardens on Saturday as the first game is scheduled for 4:50 p.m. The opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m., with another game immediately following at 6:40 p.m.
The Kensington team is comprised of 13 players, and there will be two Bedford teams.
Players on both teams will take in the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League game between the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild and Saint John Vitos at the Gardens on Saturday at 8 p.m.
A billets game will be played on Sunday at 2:10 p.m., and a closing dinner is scheduled for the Legion at 6 p.m.
The Bedford group will depart for home on Monday at 7:30 a.m.
The Kensington contingent will travel to Bedford in March.
Second Generations
Second generations in
this year's exchange:
Kensington
Duncan and Carl Picketts (1978-79).
Zach and Jeff Stavert (1984).
Brayden and Chris McEwen (1988).
Bedford
Vincent and Yves Gnocchini (1980, 1981-82).
Trystan and Martin Lacroix (1983-84).
Baylee, Madison and Todd Ingalls (1978-79).
Mathieu and Marco Monette (1986-87).
Tristin and Justin Realffe (1984-85).
Note: This year’s players are listed first, with the fathers’ years of participation included in parenthesis.
The first half of the annual Kensington, P.E.I.-Bedford, Que., Peewee Friendship Hockey Exchange will take place this weekend.
For player profiles of the Kensington team, click here:
The exchange, which is celebrating its 47th anniversary this year, started in 1969. Eric Jessome, who was managing Community Gardens at the time, along with Raeburn Orr of Bedford and Alex Chessman of Kensington, came up with the idea of a hockey exchange between the two communities. Orr and Chessman were managing the Seabrook’s Farms frozen food plants in their respective communities.
Over 800 players have made the trip by plane, bus and train over the years.
One of the unique aspects of this exchange is the players are billeted in the homes of the opposing team, and many friendships have continued long after the event.
Second generations
This year, there are a number of second generations participating in the exchange. There are eight in all – five from Bedford and three from Kensington.
There is also a family travelling with the Bedford group that has connections to the exchange spanning four generations – Gordon Callaghan, Vicky Callaghan, Jason Bockus and Gabriel Bockus. The Callaghans have been very active in the exchange for most of the 47 years.
Arrive Friday
The Bedford contingent is scheduled to arrive at the Kensington Royal Canadian Legion on Friday afternoon. A welcome dinner will be held that evening.
The action on the ice gets underway at Community Gardens on Saturday as the first game is scheduled for 4:50 p.m. The opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m., with another game immediately following at 6:40 p.m.
The Kensington team is comprised of 13 players, and there will be two Bedford teams.
Players on both teams will take in the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League game between the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild and Saint John Vitos at the Gardens on Saturday at 8 p.m.
A billets game will be played on Sunday at 2:10 p.m., and a closing dinner is scheduled for the Legion at 6 p.m.
The Bedford group will depart for home on Monday at 7:30 a.m.
The Kensington contingent will travel to Bedford in March.
Second Generations
Second generations in
this year's exchange:
Kensington
Duncan and Carl Picketts (1978-79).
Zach and Jeff Stavert (1984).
Brayden and Chris McEwen (1988).
Bedford
Vincent and Yves Gnocchini (1980, 1981-82).
Trystan and Martin Lacroix (1983-84).
Baylee, Madison and Todd Ingalls (1978-79).
Mathieu and Marco Monette (1986-87).
Tristin and Justin Realffe (1984-85).
Note: This year’s players are listed first, with the fathers’ years of participation included in parenthesis.