Swift Current Legionnaires

The Swift Current Legionnaires are co-sponsored by the Swift Current Minor Hockey Association and the Swift Current Legion Branch 56 as far as back as the 1950’s. At that time they played in the local Juvenile and exhibition games and provincial tournaments until 1968-69. In 1969 the Tournament of Champions was organized by the Swift Current Minor Hockey Association. For more that 12 years it was one of the most prestigious Midget Tournaments in the country. In 1969-70 they were managed by John Rittinger and coached by Don Cowan and Bob McDonald. In 1970-71, Syl Kammer took over as Manager and Harry Barret as Coach. After the first year, Syl perused tougher competition, as the first year was not too successful. From this the Legionnaires joined the South Central Junior “B” League. A nine team league of 2 divisions. One of Junior “B” teams involving Assiniboia Chiefs, Notre Dame B’s, Weyburn Manil Oil Kings, Regina Kings, and Midget “A” teams including Regina Pat Canadians, Moose Jaw Kinsmen, Weyburn Pan Beavers, Notre Dame Rags, and the Swift Current Legionnaires and it was a very competitive league. In 1975 the Midget teams had to withdraw from the Junior “B” League due to the National Wrigley Tournament regulations stated that participating teams had to play in their own age division if they were to compete, thus the formation of the South Sask Midget League, consisting of the Moose Jaw Flyers, Regina Pat Canadians, Notre Dame Hounds, Weyburn Pan Canadians, Melville Millionaires, Yorkton Parkland Terriers and Swift Current Legionnaires. The tougher competition paid off, as in 1971-72 the Legionnaires won the Tournament of Champions and were Sask Midget “A” Provincial Champions . In 1974 the Legionnaires participated in the Portland Presidents Day Tournament and were successful, winning the tournament. They were again, Sask Midget “A” Provincial Champions, in 1974-75 and won the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Tournament Champions. Syl Kammer, moved to Medicine Hat and resigned as Manager at the end of the 1975 season and the Managers position was taken over by Harold (Biss) Wiskar. In 1975-76 the Legionnaires were again successful at winning the Midget “A” Provincial Championship at the Provincial Wrigley Tournament and went on to win a Bronze Medal at the National Wrigley Tournament in Calgary. They also captured the Midget Tournament of Champions to cap off a very successful year. 1976-77 the Legionnaires were surprise winners of the Provincial Wrigley Tournament and earned a trip to the National Wrigley Tournament in Moncton N.B. 1977-78 saw the Legionnaires win the Tournament of Champions. This was also the last year that Harry Barrett and Biss Wiskar were coach and manager of the Legionnaires, as both retired after a long and very successful era with the team. In 1979 after the Legionnaires saw former player Greg Woods take over the team as coach and Norm Buchanan as manager. The Legionnaires hockey club would like to thank Harry Barrett for submitting this history as well as all the hard work he has done to make this the proud hockey club it is today!