Although the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League was formed in the fall of 1984, it did not become a full-fledged league until the following year during the 1985-86 season.
Doug Mintenko of Thompson was the main person responsible for bringing AAA midget hockey to the Norman region. Doug, along with Murray Steeves of Snow Lake received permission from Norman Minor Hockey to seek admittance into the newly formed league. Upon being accepted to the league, they were faced with a strange situation. The Northstars were not allowed to participate in regular season play. They would, however, enter into the playoffs as the last place team in the Rural Division. The following year a group of people came together to form a Northstars executive, to lessen the load on coach Mintenko and his staff. Norman Minor Hockey agreed to having the team based in Thompson where it remains to this day. The first Northstars team was sponsored by La Furlane Construction.
While the Northstars may have only won one league championship in the past 24 years, they have had their share of highlights and provided some outstanding players. In 1991, the Northstars hosted the Air Canada Western Regionals. Another highlight was winning the league pennant in 1995, a year in which they had a then league record, a 24-game unbeaten streak. The following season, 1996, was the most successful year in Northstar history. They captured their second straight league pennant, compiling a record of 30 wins, seven losses and two ties. Winning the Manitoba championship put the Northstars in the Western Regional in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In January 2008 the Northstars hosted the Manitoba AAA Midget all-star game. Approximately 1,000 fans showed their appreciation and dedication to hockey in the North.
It has all been made possible by a very dedicated volunteer base, dedicated coaching staff, generous sponsors and the largest fan base in the league. One dedicated person who must take a lot of credit is coach Doug Korman. Doug will be entering his 19th year as coach of the Northstars. He is the longest-serving coach ever in the Manitoba AAA Midget League.
Who was the greatest Northstar ever? There have been a number of great players. Five players have been drafted into the NHL: Jeff Staples and Rick Kozak to Philadelphia, Stefan Cherneski and Ryan Constant to the New York Rangers, and Paul Thompson to the New York Islanders. Stefan was taken 17th overall in the first round, unfortunately a serious knee injury two years later ended his career. Paul was drafted right out of the Manitoba AAA Midget League, the only known player to ever hold this honour. Blake Knox played a major role in leading the Swift Current Broncos to the Memorial Cup Championship. Merv Priest played for England's national team. Rob Beck was awarded a fully paid, four-year scholarship to Merrimack University in Boston. Other players who played in major universities in the States were Rob Howitt, Vince Owen, Kevin Wilson, Eddy Wood and Preston McKay. Playing in major Canadian universities were John McCusker, Vinny Jonasson and Ben Lulashnyk. A number of players have played in the Royal Bank Cup (Canadian Junior A Championship) with the OCN Blizzard and Flin Flon Bombers. Former Northstars captain, Rick Freese, won a Royal Bank Cup with the Humboldt Broncos.
Despite all the great Northstars players over the years, one name is always brought up and that is Clifford Duschense. He holds a number of Northstars and OCN Blizzard records. There may have been more talented players than Clifford but not one came to play every night like he did. Despite playing with reckless abandon, he missed just two games out of 95 with the Northstars and in three seasons with OCN, he did not miss one game in either the regular season or the playoffs.
Yes, the past 24 years have produced some memorable moments. Unfortunately there have also been some very devastating times. Tragedy has struck six former players, six fine young men: Clifford Duchesne, Terrance Tootoo, Daren Schweder, Shane Allard , Shane Pearson and Jason Moran.
What does the future hold for the Northstars? Only time will tell. They have moved into a beautiful new arena, best in the North. If the same dedication by the entire Norman region continues, the team could very well be here for another 25 years. Although the team is based in Thompson, it cannot continue without the entire region working together. They have in the past and no doubt will continue to do so. Enjoy the 25th season!
Terry Murray is the former president of the Norman Northstars hockey club.
