The Korean War was fought on the Korean Peninsula from 1950-1953 between North and South Korea and their allies (China and USSR for the North, and the USA and allies with the South). Along with the infantry, the RCN, and RCAF over 26,000 Canadians served in the war of which 516 lost their lives. The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on 27th July, 1953, which ended the hostilities “… until a final peaceful settlement is achieved”. And we still wait.
While on an inspection tour during the Korean War, Brooke Claxton, then Minister of National Defence, met with soldiers and noted the frozen Imjin River, and promised to send over hockey equipment so the soldiers could have a game. True to his word, the equipment arrived and games were organised among the Canadian Van Doos (R22eR) the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA), the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) and the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR)
On March 11, 1952, Canadians and other U.N forces with rifles at their sides, created a makeshift rink bordered by sandbags, which was always within range of Communist artillery, a mere five minutes away by jeep, indicating how close the games were to the front. The tournament started and by March the 25th, the Canadian Infantry Brigade “Imjin Cup” championship match was held to end the ‘official’ season pitting a PPCLI team against an R22eR squad. The PPCLI and the VanDoos faced off in an exciting and hard fought game with the 3rdBn PPCLI winning and the 2ndBn VanDoos, (“who never lose”), didn’t win. Apparently the final score was 4-2.
This year, on October 5th, 2024, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) hosted the annual Imjin Classic Memorial Hockey Game at the Bell Sensplex in Kanata, Ontario. There were two games played, the first between the Royal Canadian Regiment “Royals” and the Ottawa Service Attaché Association “Lame Ducks” with a the second pitting the PPCLI against the R22eR. The Lame Ducks are a team of defence attachés from around Ottawa who have taken the time to learn the Canadian game and have varying skill levels as some come from warmer climes and have not skated before let alone stick handled. This is the first year I remember the RCR Royals putting in a team and their inclusion means that three of the four original 1951/1952 teams were represented.
To see all the pictures, CLICK HERE:
The first game got off to a rocketing start with the Royals claiming first blood just 23 seconds into the first period and the first period carried on like this, eventually ending with the Lame Ducks down 4-0. The second period saw the Ducks stronger on defence giving up only one more goal to end the period down 5-0. Finally, in the third period, the Ducks managed to pot one and at around the 12:00 mark found themselves on the board but down 6-1. The Royals would take one more to end the game with the win at 7-1. On the Lame Ducks side I have to say that I was impressed with the skating and handling ability of #37 (Adams?) who also surprised the Royals when he first hit the ice as they didn’t expect someone with this skill level on the OSAA team. As he was clearly the best skater on the Ducks, he was quickly picked up by the Royals and they made sure he was never left alone. Mention should be made of #3 (Berg) as well who I believe scored the only Lame Duck goal.
The second game, really the main event, saw the two teams from the inaugural championship match in Korea in 1952 face off again: the PPCLI and the R22eR. It started with the march out of the official party which included Col. Lee, Defence Attaché of the RoK, Senator Rebecca Patterson (Rear Admiral – ret’d), Korean Veteran Mr. George Slade accompanied by Canadian Army Sergeant Major CWO Christopher Robin, The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Canada His Excellency Lim Woongsoon, Korean Veteran Mr. Bill Black, Korean Veteran Mr. George Guertin, Deputy Commander of CJOC, MGen J. A. S. Bernard, Commander of the Canadian Army LGen Michael Wright (also PPCLI affiliated) and a couple of others whose names I regret that I didn’t get. The Ambassador handled the ceremonial face-off with the assistance of the captains of the two teams and then it was game time.
The skill levels of both these teams was several levels above the game before as both teams seemed quite skilled with fast speed and adroit stick handling. Passing was crisp and accurate and you could see the plays develop as the puck move up the ice. It wasn’t until about the 10 minute mark that the first goal was scored by the R22eR but they didn’t hold the lead for long as the first period ended 2-1 favouring the PPCLI. The teams played evenly in the second period, both scoring two goals to end that period 4-3, again favouring the PPCLI. In the third, the R22eR evened up the score at 4-4 and with five minutes to go were leading 4-5. The PPCLI attacked with everything they had but were unable to get another goal leaving the R22eR winners of the 2024 Imjin Memorial Cup.
The after-game reception was held at D’Arcy Magee’s and was quite crowded with spectators, VIPs, and players from both teams. Remarks were given by the Ambassador and Senator Patterson who also toasted the three Korean veterans who were present. MGen Wright was next to toast the teams and the veterans followed by Col Lee offering his own toast. As a note, Col Lee grew up in the Imjin region of Korea so this history is very personal to him. Korean veteran Bill Black responded to the toasts and thanked all assembled for their care, concern, and remembrance of the veterans. For whatever reason (perhaps that it was a crowded venue or that it was a public venue) but this year there was no awarding of the Most Valuable Players as has been the tradition in the past nor was the Imjin Memorial Cup awarded to the team with remarks. Hopefully those will return next year as such excellence should be recognized.
