WHEAT KINGS, WHL HONOUR MCCRIMMON
Brandon, MB. — The tributes continue to come in for former Brandon Wheat Kings’ all star defenceman Brad McCrimmon.
On a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon at the Knox United Church in Saskatoon, hundreds turned out to attend a special Memorial Service for the 52-year old, who was killed earlier this month when the plane carrying the Kontinental Hockey League’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl crashed.
Friends, family and representatives from most Western Hockey League clubs were in attendance at the service, that featured speeches from Brad’s brother Kelly, his daughter Carlin and Saskatoon owner Jack Brodsky, who hired him to serve as head coach of the Blades for two years – beginning in 1998.
“He was a man of honour and integrity,” Brodsky told those in attendance.
Sunday’s Memorial Service came two days after the Wheat Kings honoured the former Stanley Cup winner, who played three seasons in Brandon and was a 2-time Western League First All Star, during their 2011 Home Opener against the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors.
In addition to a pre-game video tribute, the close to 5,000 fans in attendance observed a Moment of Silence and offered a standing ovation to the man, who played eighteen seasons in the National Hockey League without playing one game in the minor leagues.
As well, the hockey club unveiled a special WHL All Time All Star banner, recognizing Brad’s contributions to the Wheat Kings and the WHL. The banner can be seen hanging from the Keystone Centre rafters, high above the ice surface.
A native of Plenty, Saskatchewan, McCrimmon was beginning his first year as head coach of the KHL team. In addition to his playing career and WHL coaching experience, Brad served as an assistant coach for many NHL clubs, including the Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers and most recently, Detroit Red Wings.
