Just like that, the 21st Annual Gump Cup is a wrap. Which almost concludes all things VFD Hockey…except the IAFF tourney in Burnaby!
The Kings & Canucks provided an absolute battle for a nail biting final game. Congrats to the Canucks with their win.
It’s important for all to know the many moving parts that help keep this club moving, and recognize those involved. It’s money, energy and volunteer time by many people that add up to hundreds of hours of planning & execution. This hockey club simply can’t operate without an enormous list of people and groups that help. I will try and name them all, hope I don’t miss any. The list is vast…..
Many many thanks to the following:
Our outgoing execs of Craig Archibald, Travis Hooper, Jay Zoney & Mark Whincup for their hard work for 3/4 of this season and many years before. Please be sure to thank these guys when you see them.
Your executive team : VP Joel Feitsma, Sec/Tres Adam Bordignon, and Directors Jordon Liang, Kevan Ramsden, Chris Kilfoil , Tanner Whincup & Kyle Leung. These guys put in many hours over the season, go along with some of my crazy ideas, and brainstorm new ideas. Our newest members joined at possibly the busiest time of the year, and rose to the challenge. They are quarterbacking our success as a club and I am eternally grateful.
Goalie wrangler Scott Turner for his role filling tendy spaces for the past 5 seasons. You just can’t have a game without 2 net minders, and Scott’s coordination of the most unique players on the ice is most appreciated.
Shout out to Local 18 /L18 Athletics for their continued support of the club. President Katrina Davison represented L18 at the ceremonial puck drop, and EVP Adrian Sherriff and Sec/Tres Darren Genge attended the banquet. Our union knows the value of sports & camaraderie for our mental health and we thank them.
Fire Chief Karen Fry for representing VFRS at the final game & banquet. Chief Fry enjoys coming out to socialize, hear the banter and meet many of our retirees. Chief Connolly & Chief Weeks also came to watch the final. It is comforting that our managers see the value of sports and the camaraderie of our club.
314 Fraternal Society was once again able to give the club a huge boost with financial support to help keep fees affordable and make our 21st year a success. We were honoured to host board president and retired BC Blair Franklin at the banquet.
Retired Capt Bryon Przednowek for volunteering his time & camera, capturing many special moments & photos . We will post some soon. He likes the shoe spikes we purchased him as freshly cleaned ice is very unforgiving on a hip…..
Retiree & long time club supporter Capt Tom Sullivan for his continued support of the club and helping every year with 50/50.
Retired BC Dan McClelland who travels all the way from Vernon to lend his golden vocals to sing the anthem.
Retired Capt Gary “Baby” Dahl for attending to help give out the cherished Best Beer Man award. Gary is an absolute legend in the hydration department of the job. Be sure to have a chat with him when you can.
Retired Capt Sandy MacPherson & his family : Linda (wife) Katie, Chelsea & Jessica (daughters) for their work selling the ALS 50/50 every year. Thanks to their efforts and your generosity, they raised a staggering $ 3390 for ALS. It’s really hard to describe how much the MacPherson’s prepare and how they go beyond the extra mile on this day, but the dollars raised in a matter of hours really speak volumes on their commitment to helping the ALS Society of BC. Congrats to 50/50 winner Rob Chorney who also donated back $800 of his winnings. A total of $4190 will go to ALS via the VFF charitable.
Members of the MacDonald family : Brian & Brenda Geeves (Ranny’s Brother in law & Sister in law), Courtney & Kim Geeves (Ranny’s nieces) Steve (Karen’s brother) and Beth Geeves (Ranny’s SIL) , Courtney Brito & Kelsey Batts (family friends) who attend every year and also help with ALS 50/50 sales.
Karen MacDonald (Ranny’s widow) who attends ever year and cherishes every memory the Gump Cup gives her & her family. She is grateful for the tribute to Ranny and it is a day dear to her heart .
Members of the VFRS Honour Guard who help add a touch of class and professionalism to the pre-game and Cup presentation ceremony.
Mike Duddy (referee coordinator) for quarterbacking all our officials throughout the season.
Jordan Liang, Jay Zoney & Carson Jones for all their efforts at QPA Friday Drop In. One of the fastest scrimmages on the best ice in the lower mainland. Same icetime since 1947!
Alex Dunse organizes the VFD SmokeEaters which is our outside team playing out of 8 rinks. Good luck to Alex & his mates as they enter their playoff run.
Retired Capt Todd Heibert for organizing QPA Wed Morning Hockey & the Alumni Classic. The great rivalry of red vs white will forever be played out at this great skate.
All Alumni & OldTimers who skated in the Alumni game. This was a mix of young and young-at-heart. Despite some last minute drop outs, the benches were still full and the action fast & furious. White beat Red 4-2. Pizza was consumed, beers were crushed and many a story and laugh were shared post game. Special thanks to Terry Bingley (Ret’d Burnaby FD) and Mitch Poulter for filling the goalie spots.
Probationers & junior members Slade McCallum, Paul Stoker, Mustafa Waziri, Renee Lamond, Rob Scarr, Taryn Hartner, Wada Nour, and Matthew Dee for help with set up, time/scorekeeping , game ops and random tasks throughout the day. Good to see our next generation getting involved early in their careers.
Our Beer Sponsor , Strathcona Beer Company for providing post game hydration & celebration at wholesale prices.
Our apparell & gear sponsor The Hockey Shop Source for Sports Langley for always giving us team pricing on swag and jerseys.
The many past members of the VFDHC exec and other contributors who have built the club to what it is today , and who the present exec leans on for advice & ideas. The foundation is rock solid, we’re just adding the bricks.
Lastly, to all you members & players. It’s a pleasure to be able to help organize the game we all love. Our club is definitely one of the best things on our job, and Gump Day is by far the biggest and best event. We hope we’ve left you with the hunger to return to the 2024/25 season this fall.
We hope we haven’t forgotten anyone, but please give them a shout out if I did!
In closing, we hope you have a great spring & summer, and stay tuned for information regarding info & registration for next season.
Thank you,
Your VFDHC executive
