Cornwall, Ontario – It was a night to remember as the “Hockey Stories Show” brought to life the captivating world of hockey at The Best Western on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Presented by Dangles and Dekes and Off Your Rocker Comedy, the event featured a stellar panel of hockey personalities, including NHL veteran Matthew Barnaby, sports author and hockey announcer Thom Racine, former OHL and AHL referee Sean Boulerice, and hockey aficionado Mitch Gagne. Hosted by the humorous Mark Vincent, the evening was filled with laughter, nostalgia, and unforgettable stories from the ice.
Matthew Barnaby, known for his gritty playing style and remarkable career spanning over 800 NHL games, shared some of his most memorable moments. “My most memorable fight? It’s the one with Garth Snow. I played possum on the ice. I jumped up out of nowhere and beat the crap out of him. But he’s a goalie, right?” Barnaby reminisced about his first NHL game versus his favourite team growing up, The Montreal Canadiens, describing it as “overwhelming, exciting, and a dream come true.” He also recounted a fierce encounter with Darren McCarty, which left him with a lasting reminder. “Every time I look in the mirror, I see Darren McCarty because of the big scar on my forehead,” he said, highlighting the intensity of their bout.
Thom Racine, a revered voice in Cornwall’s hockey community, shared stories from his family’s rich sporting heritage, including his father “Moe the Toe” Racine’s four Grey Cup rings and brother Bruce’s Stanley Cup ring with the Pittsburgh Penguins. “We had a lot of fun with my brother over the years because he was the perennial backup, and we teased him about that all the time. He would say, ‘Hey, I still have the ring.’ It was fun,” Racine shared with a smile. He also reflected on his long-running show on Rogers Cable 11, stating, “It was the second longest-running show on cable only to bingo, so we had a lot of fun with it.” Those in attendance enjoyed reminiscing about Canada’s premier sport.
