Donald Teuma-Castelletti
QUYON March 31, 2018
Past players in the Quyon Hockey League held an open reunion to all members in any way, shape or form last Saturday, with the plan to share laughs, some memories, plus a beer or two.
Held at Gavan’s Hotel, everyone from players through to referees, scorekeepers and more were welcomed for the gathering, where folks had the chance to see pals from years gone by.
“We’d been talking about it for the last five years,” said Paul Nugent, one of the event organizers. “As friends passed, we decided we’d better do it soon.”
Organizing the reunion with four other players – Mick Armitage, Joey Fraser, Chris McColgan, and Dave Twolan – Nugent explained that the final tipping point for the reunion was the loss of their pal, Freddie Desabrais, in November 2017.

“He died suddenly last fall and he was a big part of [the league],” said Nugent.
However, it wasn’t just the loss of Desabrais that had the group make the arrangements for the party.
“We’ve had five [past players] pass in the last year,” continued Nugent. “It’s bad when it comes to that, but then you got to do it.”
Since the league was formed in the season of ’74-75, it has seen hundreds of players and other roles associated with it, but the group was keeping their expectations for the turnout fairly modest.
“We’re hoping for 50,” said Nugent, laughing.
Soon enough though, the bar was getting busier as crowds arrived in small groups, easily surpassing their goals for the turnout.
As friends arrived, most were quickly shuttled over to a large table filled with all sorts of mementos, from team pictures to trophies, articles and more, documenting the years gone by for the community’s hockey league.
A bit of fun was had by the group with the raffling off of a San Antonio Ranch jersey, donated by Armitage. With no cost to enter the draw, everyone was encouraged to sign the back of the jersey, making for a great memento of the evening and an item to be treasured amongst the league’s community.