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2007 - Joe Savoie
Biography:
Joe Savoie was one of the first total star defenceman of the CBHA. He was a member of the Saint John Sultans who are to this day the only New Brunswick Men's team to win a medal, with a silver in 1979. Savoie was the leader and quarterback of Sultans, and was a perennial CBHA all-star. Even today in the province of New Brunswick he has been an idol and mentor to many players of the region. The native of Quispamsis continues to play the game to date, and even enjoys playing with his sons. Savoie can take solace that he has been a forerunner of a successful path in our sport, and can live to see a bright new day on the horizon for New Brunswick ball hockey. One that the great defenceman helped usher in many years ago.
The CBHA is thrilled to announce that Mr. Savoie will be joining the best players that our association has ever had and is the 15th inducted, and first from our great member province of New Brunswick in our virtual CBHA Hall of Fame.
Interview:
Mr. Ball Hockey
Honours: When Joe Savoie enters the national ball hockey shrine next month, it will cap a career that's been all about family - on and off the arena floor
His first slap shots took place even before his teenage years started, banging a ball hockey ball with friends in a highly organized league at the Saint John Boys and Girls Club.
Now, more than three decades and thousands of kilometres representing club, provincial and regional sides later, long-time Quispamsis resident Joe Savoie is set to enter the Canadian Ball Hockey Association's Hall of Fame.
It's a just reward for a dozen national championships appearances, two all- Canadian all-star awards and a lifelong passion for the sport, one that will culminate in Saint John with his induction ceremony during a special dinner at the Canadian Ball Hockey Championships, slated for Aug. 13-18. There, the Saint John native will become just the 15th inductee to the national shrine since its inception in 2003.
Even today, when Joe and his wife Joanne are not enjoying life with family and friends at a Cole's Island private summer retreat known as The Bluff, he'll likely be spotted near the ball hockey arena.
But ask the ageless wonder about his proudest athletic accomplishment and he quickly points to the past six years of summertime on-court duty playing alongside sons Joe Jr., 27, and Trent, 22.
"You can't imagine how fortunate I am to be able to line up alongside the boys on the floor with "Momma-" his wife, Joanne - cheering us on," said Savoie. "The awards, the trophiesm the accolades . . . all that is nice, and I am grateful. But when I play with my boys... what father wouldn't want to be in my shoes?"
Indeed, he's the New Brunswick ball hockey version of Gordie Howe, where proud pop joins sons for treasured athletic duty, competing for titles and lapping up the post-game atmosphere in the dressing room afterward.
"It is all very humbling," said Savoie, a hard-nosed, defenceman who admits he doesn't score a lot of goals but doesn't mind lifting the heavy lumber to stop them. "To tell you the truth, it says a lot about the teams I played with - these were exceptional athletes. It is a great honour. For me, it is more about family, and the camaraderie that goes on with the game and with guys in the dressing room."
Savoie fondly remembers his early days learning the game at the Boys and Girls Club and the CYO.
"I will always be grateful to Marg Nodwell who gave a bunch of kids a chance to play ball hockey in a gymnasium instead of on the streets. Same goes for Pat McDonough at the CYO - that was an important time in my life, made better by a lot of special people."
Eventually, Savoie moved to the city area leagues each summer, which featured full body checking. From those loops, such as the Simonds Centennial League or the Lancaster Ball Hockey League, teams were eventually assembled for national competition and Savoie played a large role as the Saint John Sultans became synonymous with ball hockey excellence.
It didn't start that great as the players took time to adapt to stiffer competition, new rules and the national atmosphere, suffering lopsided losses to teams from Ontario and western Canada at the 1978 national championship in Ottawa.
"That was our first big tournament," said Savoie. "We didn't do too well. We hadn't played at that level before... it was an eye opener."
The New Brunswick squad was a quick study though; the following year in Winnipeg, they cruised to the final before losing the Canadian championship game 2-1 in a triple overtime. "That was our best finish ever," Savoie said.
The Sultans went to 10 national tournaments with a core group that included Mac Jackson, Danny and Robbie Allen, Mike McHugh, Peter Bass, Peter Wedge, Mark O'Brien, senior hockey stars Dave Hewey, Tom Johnston, Billy Merrithew, Billy Vaughan, Joe West and Tod Stark, Billy Hanley, Steve (Goat) Ryan, Steve Buckley, Gerald Buckley, Bob Craft, Terry Gray and Steve Walton.
He gave up the game in 1993 but returned several years ago when his sons encouraged him to come out. "I got away from it for a few years but in 2001, the Eastern Championships were in Saint John. Steve [Walton] gave me a call and asked if I would play. I got back playing and we ended up losing in triple overtime to Quebec. I realized I was missing the action. After that, I started playing with my two boys. I have always enjoyed, and I still enjoy, the game."
In addition to his all-star and all-Canadian awards in 1986 and 1990, he was named to Ball Hockey Canada's quarter-century team. Savoie's career opponents ranged from the mix of blue-collar grinders to those with National Hockey League experience, such as sniper Dino Ciccarelli. "We just came from the streets of Saint John, and here you are playing against NHLers," said Savoie. And now, he's ready for his hall of fame induction. "That is something that never really crosses your mind, but it is pretty neat," he admits. "I spent a lot of time in the rink and as you get older, your priorities change, but it is still something that means a lot to me."
© 2007 Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick)