Charlie Teljeur wants you – and your hockey stories

Local writer compiling a book about Haliburton hockey

By Terrance Gavan

Charlie and Wayde preparing for the road trip of a lifetime. meanwhile CT
is also writing a book re HALIBURTON HOCKEY. Your stories are needed.
get in touch with me here gav@pardontheeruption.com and I will forward
your name and number on to Andrea Hilo pronto!

There’s something about this place.

   And no, it ain’t the water.

   Bernie Nicholls, Ron Stackhouse, Matt Duchene, and by adoption and first steps on ice, Cody Hodgson.

   Parry Sound has Bobby Orr.

   West Guilford, Haliburton and the Highlands have four NHL players.

   Something about this place?

   Of course.

   But what is it?

   Well, if you think you know, or have any poignant stories, Charlie Teljeur would like to hear from you.

   Teljeur a local columnist, cartoonist, writer, and now budding golf television reality show star wants to leave no stone unturned in his quest for the trivial; the funny; the sad; and the happy stories. Had a brush with greatness; a chance meeting with NHL royalty; or a childhood memory?

   Charlie’s your man.

   Call it a last chance to air that nugget. Crack that chestnut.

   Teljeur is in the process of compiling a book about hockey here in Haliburton.

   He’s talked to all four of the players listed in the opening credits, and now he’s looking for your stories.     

   Specifically he’s searching for poignant mementoes from that frozen pond shivering inside your noggin.

   No story too trivial. No memory too vague.

   The book tentatively titled, There’s Something About this Place is slated for an early 2011 release.

   And because Teljeur and his partner Wade Greer will be on the road filming their new golf show “Highways to Fairways” Teljeur is enlisting the aid of local graphic artist Andrea Hilo.

   “I’ll be away for a number of weeks, so I’m asking that people send their stories to Andrea,” smiles Teljeur, sitting in the Voice offices hot-stoving with Editor Stephen Patrick and a pesky fly on the wall.

   Teljeur says that it’s an idea whose time has come.

   Over the years Teljeur has amassed a library of his own fondly remembered tales.

   He also thinks it’s absolutely astounding that an area as small as the Highlands has consistently produced so many quality hockey players.

   Hodgson, who actually got his start at the Dysart Arena while his dad Chris was the standing MLA for the area, told Teljeur recently – in an interview for the book – that while he is widely recognized as a Markham product, he actually retains a close connection with his formative minor hockey experience here in the Highlands.

   It ain’t all about the talent.

   Sometimes it’s all about context, happenstance and legend.

   You may have heard the story about a local lad named Stan.

   Stan Riley is a student at JD Hodgson here in Haliburton.

   He lives in Wilberforce with mom Cheryl and dad Ken. Ken manages the rink operations in Wilberforce.

   Stan’s story is a no brainer entry for Teljeur’s book.

   Ken and Cheryl were married close to 20 years and had tried to start a family, but without success. After 17 years, they had assumed that it just wasn’t to be.

   Cheryl says that they had explored options. Finally, they just decided to move on.

   They travelled the country, and had recently returned home to Esson Lake near Wilberforce.

   In the summer of 1996, August 3, local cottager Mike Ricci (Colorado Avs – see Matty Duchene) brought the Stanley Cup to his cottage and held one of those now famous Cup bashes.

   Sometime that afternoon, camera in hand, Ken and Cheryl walked to Ricci's place to take a picture with the Cup. Cheryl posed for a picture and kissed the Cup.

   Nine months later Stanley Cup Riley – yes Cup is his second name - was born.

   Cheryl is absolutely convinced that the kiss and the cup were integral to the process – with some minor input from Ken, of course.

   The story has been retold, in print, on television in most recently in a referenced anecdote in a Hollywood production.

   Now, Teljeur is aware that Stackhouse, Nicholls, Hodgson, Duchene and Stan the man Riley are tough to top.

   He’s not looking for the spectacular.

   He is looking for your memories. Some moments that rocked your world.

   A story about a local barber pops to mind and Charlie suddenly lights up.

   “Do you remember a Whittaker that used to live here?” asks Teljeur. “Well he used to be a barber in town – lives in Tennessee now - and he has a picture of himself cutting hair in his shop - where Perfect Prints is now - and in the chair is Bobby Orr.”

   So get in touch says Teljeur.

   This is a book about you after all.

   He wants to ensure that you all get a chance to pop a cork on a treasured memory.

    And remember.

    There’s something about this place.

   If you know something let Charlie know – soon. The book has to be completed by the end of December. Contact both Charlie and Andrea at: charlie@charlieteljeur.com and Andrea Hilo at ahilo@sympatico.ca. Side note: Charlie would like to ask a man from Wilberforce who emailed him previously to get back to him ASAP, as he has lost your email address.