Pat Payton
Sports editor

The 1962-63 Lincolns received the red carpet treatment.

Prior to the St. Marys-Stratford Jr. ‘B’ interlocking game Dec. 28 at the Pyramid Rec. Centre, the first St. Marys Jr. ‘B’ team to capture an All-Ontario championship was honoured by the current Lincs’ organization. It’s been 50 years since the ‘62-63 Lincolns defeated Kingston Frontenacs in the provincial final.

The players were individually introduced by P.A. announcer Jamie Hahn, as well as family members representing players, coach or executive members who are deceased. All wore replica Lincs jerseys, with the players’ names and original number on the back. Those sweaters were then worn by the current Lincolns’ team in their game against the Cullitons.

Ray ‘Fid’ Fowler and Terry Moore, wife of late Stan Moore who coached the Lincolns that memorable season, dropped the puck at the ceremonial face-off. Fowler is the lone executive member from the team still living.

Stalwart defenceman Bill Dunnell fondly recalls that the ‘62-63 champions were a team in every sense of the word.

“I remember that it was a special team,” Dunnell said that night. “We played on the ice together and we played off the ice together. We pulled together as a team.”

Five players–goalie Jim Armstrong, Glen Slater, Tom Monteith, Doug Galloway and captain Floyd Cowper–and coach Stan Moore are no longer living.

“The one thing I remember tonight is the half-dozen guys who have passed way,” Dunnell added. “Those six guys died too young. There’s still 13 of us living, but I just wanted to remember the guys who are gone.”

‘It seems like yesterday’

Winning the Ontario championship in the spring of ‘63 was one of Mike Mattiussi’s favourite memories.

“I played on a lot of different teams, but I never seen a team that was as close as us,” Mattiussi said. “I think that is a big, big plus on any sports team today.

“Every memory was good. How can you forget winning something like that? It was 50 years ago, but it seems like yesterday. And there isn’t a better town to play in. This franchise has been around for over 50 years; it’s probably the oldest franchise in the league. And we’re having a great time tonight.”

High-scoring forward Jackie Nairn remembers his coach when he reflects back on that season. “I always think of Stan Moore,” he said. “Stan was the greatest guy and he was always positive. He was a great coach.”

Nairn recalled that the three ‘Hs’ were Moore’s coaching philosophy; teams had to be happy, healthy and hungry in order to be successful. “We were definitely a team,” he added.

Nairn also noted that Moore, the head of the town’s recreation department at the time, was one of the people responsible for bringing Jr. ‘B’ hockey to St. Marys 57 years ago.

Moore died on July 4, 2007 on his 80th birthday while visiting his birthplace of New Liskeard. The Lincs’ patriarch had been a Tillsonburg resident since 1972.

Notes:

• Jack Nairn went on to be a very good coach himself. He coached Senior hockey (Lucan-Ilderton Jets) for seven seasons, and Junior teams for 15 years.

• The 1962-63 Lincolns team will be honoured again on Friday, Feb. 22, the final night of the Western regular schedule. Lambton Shores Predators will be the visitors.

Jacques Cousineau says he hopes that a couple of players who weren’t able to attend the Dec. 28 game will be present that night.