The Corner Brook Royals will retire Jim Guy’s No. 15 before the start of tonight’s Royals showdown against the Clarenville Caribous 7:30 p.m. at the Pepsi Centre.
On Friday night, the Royals held a Jim Guy Night as a fund-raiser for the team with a dinner and silent auction at the Greenwood Inn and Suites.
Blanchard was only too happy to share in the celebration so he bought tickets to Friday’s gathering of past and current Royals.
Blanchard played with Guy for a number of years back in his heyday.
He said he was an excellent hockey player who proved to be a great teammate throughout his career including a short stint as the team captain.
“We had a lot of great memories playing together,” Blanchard said. “I think it’s a good tribute to him. I think he’s well deserving of the recognition.”
Guy played all of his minor hockey in Corner Brook, also excelling in softball and baseball in the off-season, and his 16-year senior hockey career was spent entirely with the Royals.
It was nice to see a guy born and raised in the city recognized for his commitment to the game and the team, according to Blanchard, who won a couple of Herders with Guy during his senior hockey career.
“He gave the fans a lot of great entertainment,” he said of the big forward inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.
See related: Former Royal Jim Guy celebrating a special weekend
Alex King, winner of two Herders as a steady winger with the Royals, said Guy was a dandy hockey player who was a dominant force because of his brute strength and blistering shot.
He was pleased to see Guy recognized for his contribution to three Herder victories during his career.
Guy finished up his stellar career with 659 points on of 332 goals and 327 assists. He had one of the hardest shots goaltenders had to face in his day and he could fill the net, but King was impressed with the fact his teammate wasn’t selfish.
“He was there for the team, not for himself,” he said.
Guy joins some elite company in the history of the franchise. Doug Grant (No. 1), Joe Lundrigan Jr. (2), Dan Cormier (5), Frank (Danky) Dorrington (17) and Dave Matte (30) are the only other former Royals to have their jersey retired by the team.
“I think that’s a good idea really. He deserves that,” King said. “He was a good hockey player and he played hard, and he was definitely a good teammate.”
Guy has been living in Alberta so, no doubt, he will be a happy camper to see some familiar faces while home for the celebration of his career.
