A special anniversary dinner event is being organized to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Japanese Hockey League. Organizers say details on time, date and locations are still being worked out, but that they are working to time the tribute for around the fall of 2011.
Hundreds of players (including a few females) have gone through the league, ever since the first games were played on Oct 22, 1961.
Word of the anniversary celebration is being spread by word of mouth and phone calls. Further exposure is being planned through various social media, such as Facebook and the internet, as well
as through publications like Nikkei Voice, the national, monthly newspaper of the JC community, and the Bulletin and website of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. So far, reception has been very enthusiastic. Many former players say they plan to attend, bringing along family members and friends.
The league started playing its games at George Bell Arena, in Toronto's west end. Any and all players in the JC community were invited to play in the league. While the range of abilities of the players varied widely, the league's calibre was surprisingly good. It was also tough and chippy at times, primarily because players didn't know each other and exerted their individualities. Body checking was also allowed in those early days. By comparison, the league today is tame affair because of non-contact rules.
The CJHL also made up all-star congregations to play charity exhibitions against the NHL Oldtimers and the Italian Canadian league. The league also organized hockey tours to Japan in 1971 and 1982.
(Mel Tsuji)
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