33rd Golf Tournament in June 23 Click here to download info 'Godfather' Kneeshaw passes on As we all likely know one of our longtime Spokane Oldtimers, Vern Kneeshaw, passed away today, April 1, at age 90. Read more about “Kneesh” in the following story was written in 2003 in the NW Hockey Report and tells more about the “Godfather.” We also have made Vern's obituary available. Paul Delaney Exec. Secretary/Spokane Oldtimers.

Click on photo to read story.   Click on photo to read obit.

Your 2011-12 Oldtimer Board

The 2011 Spokane Oldimers Hockey Assoc. saw the election of new board members for the organization that now features three skating groups. The current board includes clockwise from bottom left): Mark Dawkins (treas.), Doug Elliott, Cam Werfelma, Pat Bopray, Paul Delaney (exec. sec.), J.C. Thomas (pres.), Mike Sherman, Tom O'Brien, Mark Davis. Missing: Vern Hare. Paul Delaney moved from being a voting board member to a newly named position of Executive Secretary from the group.

Welcome

Spokane Oldtimers: Over 30 Years
And Still Going Strong In Community

Over the past 60 plus years, Spokane has been a force in the amateur hockey world with teams from the city having won eight national championships. That tradition of winning dates back to 1948 when the city scored its first title when the Spokane Flyers won the U.S. Senior championship. Just last year the Spokane Chiefs won their second Memorial Cup.

Inbetween have come victories in another U.S. championship (1950), four Canadian Allan Cups (1970-, 1972, 1976 & 1980) as well as the first Memorial Cup in 1991. That winning hockey tradition is remembered and kept alive through the Spokane Oldtimers Hockey Association.

Back in 1975, a group of former Spokane hockey players got together to organize what would become the Spokane Oldtimers Hockey Association. Now, although many of the names have changed, 30 years later the organization is still going strong in the hockey community.

In looking back through the notes on the organization, a founder and honorary lifetime member, Vern Kneeshaw, recalled the first impromptu, meeting took place on March 23, 1975. Less than a week a week later Kneeshaw, along with Jerry Fodey, Carl Cirullo, Dan McDougald, Tony Hemerling, Blinkey Boyce, Don Scherza, John Dolan and Red Tilson gathered to officially for the organization. Kneeshaw joked that Scherza probably wasn't old enough at the time to official be and "oldtimer."

Kneeshaw was voted the group's first president and from that day forward the group has helped keep the tradition of Spokane hockey alive and well.

The first   Oldtimers Tournament was held in 1981 and in 2006 celebrated 25 consecutive years of fun and fellowship. Attending the Spokane tournament has been a tradition for many teams each season.

The organization consists of two levels of skaters, The Masters - generally the older skaters - and a younger division - The Grinders - who both call Eagles Ice-A-Rena home.

In addition to the Spring Tournament that is coordinated by the Masters Division, the Grinders present other fundraisers: a June golf tournament and from time-to-time a spring game versus the Calgary Flame Alumni.

All events that the Spokane Oldtimers present provide monies to both local charities that include both hockey and non-hockey causes. The group annually sponsors youth hockey players and teams as well as providing money to the likes of the Vanessa Behan Nursery, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, the Mark Rypien Foundation and others. Contact us if you have a worthwhile charity we might be able to help.

Spokane Oldtimers Mission Statement

The Spokane Old-timers Hockey Association is a benevolent organization whose mission is to support and promote the game of ice hockey and to assist individuals and charitable organizations of the Inland Northwest through fellowship and fundraising activities.

Oldtimers Scholarships

Scholarships Offered By Spokane Oldtimers

Each year the Spokane Oldtimers Hockey Association, Inc. offers area hockey players and teams the opportunity to apply for assistance from our scholarship program.

In order to apply you need to fill out the following information and submit it to the Spokane Oldtimers along with a personal letter that tells us why you would be a worthy candidate for our consideration. Return to: PO Box 48742 Spokane, WA. 99228-8742 e-mail, or bring with you when you make a presentation.

For best consideration we suggest the candidate requesting funds make a personal appearance before our grants and scholarships committee. Please e-mail for further information as we are restructuring our current process.

Download Application MS Word
OTimerGrant.doc

Download Application PDF
OTimerGrant.pdf