See "International Incidents" Screening January 8 in Columbus
Panel discussion to follow with former IHL players
If you are looking for a way to extend your “Hockey Holidays”, then you may want to attend the screening and post-screening discussion/meet and greet of “International Incidents” at the Ohio History Center in Columbus this Saturday, January 8. The screening begins at 1:00 p.m. followed by a panel discussion.
The documentary reveals the history of professional hockey in Central Ohio prior to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Columbus Chill. We are reminded of the Checkers, Golden Seals and Owls of the 1960s and 1970s International Hockey League in the film directed by Eric Weltner. Weltner will lead the post screening activities and former players Marty Reynolds (Checkers and Owls), John Flesch (Owls), Rick Piche (Owls), Bob Park (Golden Seals) and Mike Thompson (Owls) are scheduled to appear.
· Reynolds served as the first Captain of the Owl and averaged more than a point-per-game.
· Flesch played both offense and defense with the Owls and played for Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Colorado in the NHL.
· Piche also played defense for the Owls and finished his pro career in Toledo.
· Park, a goaltender for the Golden Seals, played for the Ohio State Buckeyes prior to signing his professional contract.
· Thompson patrolled the blue line for the Owls and was known to use his size and physical play to “make corners uncomfortable places for opposing players.”
“I hope this opens more eyes to what kind of hockey was played in the state of Ohio prior to the Blue Jackets, especially in Columbus,” offered Weltner. “So many people aren’t aware of these guys that were slugging it out in the International League back in the 60’s and 70’s. I always hoped to keep that history preserved.”
“These guys were really good, especially when you consider the era in which they played,” he continued. “During the first year or two of the Columbus Checkers you still had the Original Six in the NHL. So about 90 guys had those (NHL) jobs and you had guys (playing) in these minor pro leagues that were excellent players and by today’s standards would have been career NHL’ers.”
In addition to the International Incidents event, the Ohio–Champion of Sports exhibit featuring more than 70 stories and 35 oral histories covering more than 25 sports ranging from baseball, football and basketball to roller derby, skateboarding and e-gaming is accessible to visitors.
Whether you are extending the holidays or getting 2022 off to an entertaining and educational start, these events may be the place for you.
--- Follow Jim Smith on twitter @BlueLineNotes
