WHL ALUMNI: ED STANIOWSKI VISITS TROOPS IN KUWAIT

Former Regina Pats netminder Ed Staniowski spent his Thanksgiving weekend last October with some NHL and CFL alumni before flying from Ottawa to Belfast and then into Kuwait to visit Canadian troops.

A product of Moose Jaw, SK, Staniowski played for the Regina Pats for four seasons from 1971-1975 and posted a record 68-43-14 in 206 appearances while leading the Regina Pats to a Memorial Cup title in 1974. He later went on to a professional career in the NHL that saw him suit up for the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets and the Hartford Whalers.

After retiring from professional hockey in 1985, he served as an assistant coach for the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors for the duration of the 1987-88 season and spent almost 30 years in the Canadian military before he retired in August 2014.

Staniowski emailed Taking Note following his trip to visit the crew of HMCS Winnipeg in Belfast, Ireland before heading to Kuwait to visit Canadian troops. Staniowski mentioned that it was a real experience.

“We had a chance to visit with HMCS Winnipeg’s crew while she was making a port call in Belfast where former Jets defenceman Jim Kyte and I presented the Captain and crew with an official Jets jersey,” said Staniowski.  “Then it was on to Kuwait where the likes of Dave (Tiger) Williams, Troy Crowder, Ric Nattress, Rob Ramage, Ryan VandenBussche, Larry and Doug Patey, Kyte and Brian Burke were all big hits with the men and women doing the business in the desert. Arlene Dickinson, formerly of the TV show Dragons’ Den, was also along and was a big hit.”

Staniowski went on to mention that he was happy to demonstrate support for the Canadian military.

“It was a long way from home over Thanksgiving but the chance to show support to our troops was genuine and invaluable.”

Ed Staniowski is featured amongst a list of 125 WHL Players nominated to be named the Top 50 WHL Players of All-Time as part of celebrating the WHL’s 50^th Season. Fans can cast their vote for Ed Staniowski and other notable WHL Players here at: top50.whl.ca