Latest news with #HarryWatson
SBS Australia
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
#Archives : 2017 - Retracing the 1928 Tour de France with Phil Keoghan
In this episode, we dive into the world of cycling with Phil Keoghan, producer of the documentary Le Ride, which follows the inspiring story of Harry Watson - the first New Zealander to race in the Tour de France in 1928. Phil shares how discovering a forgotten book about Watson sparked his mission to bring this remarkable tale back to life. The thing I'm most proud of is we have ensured that the story has been captured for all time. Phil Keoghan With a passion for authenticity, Phil recounts the challenge of retracing the 1928 Tour route using vintage bikes and explores how the riders' determination resonated with post-WWI audiences in France. He also reflects on the emotional depth of the story, the production hurdles, and the pride of preserving a piece of forgotten history.
Edmonton Journal
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
The stories behind monthly alumni lunches with some of hockey's greatest players and personalities
Article content 'Our events make these older players so happy, brings them back to a sense of importance,' said hockey archivist Paul Patskou, surveying the mid-day sports bar crowd at Scotiabank Pond in Downsview. 'It's so great to listen when they talk about life in the Original Six era and then start making fun of each other.' Its roots of re-engaging with fans and community began with veterans from the post-war NHL who lived in the Toronto area and started gathering around 1975 after old-timer scrimmages or a charity game. Leafs such as Harry Watson, Gus Bodnar, Sid Smith and Pete Conacher gave way to the next wave of Dick Duff, Frank Mahovlich, Johnny Bower and others. 'It often included a yearly visit to the war veterans' wing at Sunnybrook Hospital,' Patskou said. 'They just wanted to do some good.
National Post
30-04-2025
- Sport
- National Post
The stories behind monthly alumni lunches with some of hockey's greatest players and personalities
Article content Come for the food and drink, stay for the hockey talk from the game's greatest generation. Article content Article content It's a hook that has brought players, coaches, managers, referees, scouts, authors, musicians and fans together for the monthly NHL Alumni Lunch, to feast on stories you won't hear in today's buttoned-down league that's bereft of candid sound bytes. Article content The stories in this decades-old tradition get better with age. Article content 'Our events make these older players so happy, brings them back to a sense of importance,' said hockey archivist Paul Patskou, surveying the mid-day sports bar crowd at Scotiabank Pond in Downsview. 'It's so great to listen when they talk about life in the Original Six era and then start making fun of each other.' Article content Its roots of re-engaging with fans and community began with veterans from the post-war NHL who lived in the Toronto area and started gathering around 1975 after old-timer scrimmages or a charity game. Leafs such as Harry Watson, Gus Bodnar, Sid Smith and Pete Conacher gave way to the next wave of Dick Duff, Frank Mahovlich, Johnny Bower and others. Article content Article content 'The Leafs started inviting other Original Six guys, then coaches and scouts. A lot of them were involved in the alumni pension fight with Carl Brewer and Susan Foster (in the late '90s against former boss Alan Eagleson) and this served as a meeting to help them grow closer in that cause.' Article content The lunch was re-organized in the '90s when hockey fan Al Shaw, Patskou, Don Joyce and Brian MacFarlane arranged a formal program. McFarlane is now 93 and, when he can drop by, still brings his powder blue Hockey Night in Canada jacket. There is a guest of honour or theme, such as Bill Barilko's 1951 Cup-winning overtime goal and his subsequent disappearance, with members of his family in attendance. Reunions sprang up, such as the 1964 and '67 Memorial Cup champion Marlboros, the '72 Orillia Terrier senior champions or past NHL stars from St. Michael's College.
