Longtime Grizzlys volunteer honoured

The Grizzlys' annual awards banquet had an unexpected empty seat last week when the team got together to celebrate its season accomplishments.

Longtime penalty box timekeeper Ken Johnston passed away on April 16 at the age of 76.

Johnston was born in Berwyn, Alta. on Dec. 30, 1940 and grew up in Grimshaw. He joined the military when he was 17, and served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

When Johnston retired from service at CFB Wainwright in 1989, he moved to Olds, where he got involved with the local hockey community. At the arena, he took up his regular post as a timekeeper in the penalty box. And he was known for one thing in particular.

Olds Grizzlys head coach Dana Lattery, who also played for the team in the 1990s, told the story during the banquet.

ìWhen I played here, Ken was in the penalty box and every time you got a penalty Ken gave you a piece of bubble gum,î said Lattery. ìAnd the first time, I looked down at him, like 'I can't chew gum, I gotta go back out.' And he's like, 'have a piece of gum.'

ìAnd I got six pieces of gum.î

Two decades later, Johnston was still giving gum to players who found their way to the penalty box.

Lattery said the week before the banquet, he received the sad news that Johnson had passed away.

Lattery said Johnston had come to the rink to get his tickets to the awards banquet.

ìKen, don't worry about it, we'll see you on Friday,î Lattery had told him.

But Johnston didn't make it this year. In his place was a condolence book, with page after page of messages from players, coaches and friends.

And as a tribute, there were also several buckets of bubble gum.

ìI want everybody to take a piece of bubble gum,î Lattery told those at this year's banquet, ìand we're all going to chew a piece of bubble gum together for Ken.î