Lorne Park
Visit Lorne Park's website at...
www.lpha.ca
The Lorne Park Hockey Association is one of the founding associations of the Mississauga Hockey League (formerly the Toronto Township Hockey League). The association, itself, originated in late 1944 as a hockey club within the Lorne Park Community Association. Its founder and president for the first eighteen years following its formation was Lyman Chapman. He was a dynamic and innovative person who insisted on only the best effort from all of the people around him.
Besides his knowledge of hockey organization, he recognized a need for safety equipment. This is what led him to the development and fabrication of the first goaltender facemasks. The year was 1955, a full four years before the National Hockey League saw the introduction of similar equipment. By 1956, Lyman had equipped each of his goaltenders with his own custom fabricated mask and facial injuries became a thing of the past.
Lorne Park was first in other areas as well. Much to the objection of parents and players alike, Wally Reid, a long time coach and board member made head protection mandatory within the association. It was not at all popular and many players actually deserted his teams.
Another first, although it has not been absolutely confirmed, was the players' names on the sweaters. It is believed that one of Lorne Park's teams was the first to do this in the mid 1970s. This came to be as a result of a direct request of a team's sponsor.
The forest green and gold colours of Lorne Park predate the association. They were the corporate colours of A.E. Rule Construction, a business whose owner lived in Lorne Park. Albert Rule, the owner, was one of the first persons approached by Lyman Chapman to sponsor a team. Adopting the corporation's colours was Lyman's way of recognizing their support. Sponsor's names were not allowed on sweaters in those early years but there was no "rule" against their colours.
The A.E. Rule sponsorship lasted until 1955 when Albert Rule died and his company dissolved. Although many years have past, that first sponsorship has not been forgotten. The Association's predominant colours have remained forest green and gold.
In the early days, associations sought out practice ice on their own. All of this ice was natural and in the open or under cover such as at Lester Arena near Brampton. It was not until 1949 that they played regularly on artificial ice indoors. That came with the construction of Dixie Arena, which was every association's home rink. With the construction and opening of Cawthra Arena in 1972, the association had a regular practice facility and finally had a rink that they were able to call their home.
Over the years, many former members of Lorne Park boards of directors have served as president of the MHL (T.T.H.L.). A total of seven have graduated to that office. These include Lyman Chapman (our founder), Harry Davidson, Art Corbett, Al Smith, Jack Darling, Jack Harris and, most recently, Alf Johnston. A notable name among those that served from Lorne Park would be that of Jack Darling. A waterfront park bearing his name has been dedicated for the use of residents and friends of the community.
The 2006-07 season will mark the official 60th anniversary of the Association.
|
MHL ASSOCIATIONS 
