INNISFAIL – Fans, residents and Eagles alumni are showing support for the Innisfail Eagles and their quest for an Allan Cup.
One of them is 80-year-old Larry Tronnes.
The former Eagles captain, who played for the Birds for 16 seasons, is in the top five among all-time team point leaders.
“I would have been 18 years old (when I started playing with the Eagles), so that was 1956. I played left wing and centre,” said Tronnes. “I also went through minor hockey in Innisfail.”
He recalled some memories from his Eagles days.
“We won the Chinook League in 1962-63," said Tronnes. “We were a very competitive team.
“We had a really good management group,” he added, noting coach Lloyd Casebeer, general manager Lionel Maher and others. “We had guys like Bill Fife and Bill Grant who were involved with the team a lot.”
Tronnes is thrilled to see the Innisfail Eagles make it to the 2019 Allan Cup tournament.
“It’s tremendous. It’s a great accomplishment for the group,” he said. “They worked hard to get there. They’ve got a good management group and their coach is second to none.”
The Calgary resident has been to Innisfail to participate in a number of Eagles alumni events, including their annual golf tournament and has participated in ceremonial puck drops for Eagles home games.
“It’s a big accomplishment getting there, ” said Tronnes. “If they win (the Allan Cup) that’s all the better, but they’re winners right now just to get there.
“I’m wishing them all the best. I’m hoping for a good series from them," he added.
“When you think you’re in with the top six teams across Canada, that is pretty darn good,” said Tronnes, adding there is one thing he'll be saying throughout the tournament to cheer his former team on.
“Go Eagles Go.”
