The Architecture of the Game: Paul Kirby on Belleville’s Hockey Roots

Описание: Historian and author Paul Kirby has dedicated decades to documenting the evolution of hockey in the Quinte region. In this insightful interview with Aaron Bell, Paul explores the transition from the rough-and-tumble days of outdoor rinks to the arrival of the OHL in Belleville. He shares the stories of the builders, the players, and the community spirit that turned the Yardmen Arena into a local cathedral.

In this episode, we cover:

The Historian’s Perspective: The passion for preserving local sports history and the launch of the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame.

The "Covered Rink" Struggle: Why having a roof over the ice was the essential first step for Belleville to join the Ontario Hockey Association.

The Senior A Era: Memories of the Belleville McFarlands and the weight of their 1959 World Championship win.

The Arrival of the Bulls: The cultural shift in 1981 and how the city embraced Major Junior hockey.

Keeping Names Alive: Reflections on late local legends like Larry MacInnes and the importance of documenting these stories before they are lost.

Video Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
4:15 - The Early Days: Outdoor Rinks and the Quinte Hockey League
9:30 - The Quest for a Covered Arena
15:10 - The McFarlands Legacy & Senior Hockey
22:45 - From the Memorial Arena to the Yardmen
30:12 - The 1981 Arrival of the Belleville Bulls
32:05 - The Belleville Sports Hall of Fame
38:50 - Remembering Builders: Larry MacInnes & Tom Gavey
52:15 - Why Local History Matters for the Next Generation

About Junior Hockey Giants:
This interview is part of the "Local Legends" volume of the Junior Hockey Giants documentary series. We are dedicated to preserving the oral history of hockey in Belleville, Kingston, and Windsor.

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