Skip to content

Remembering a ‘39 Trail Smoke Eater World Champion, a Canadian hockey icon

Born Richard B. Kowcinak on May 25, 1917, in Winnipeg, Dick had a long and successful hockey career
24518593_web1_copy_210318-TDT-Jersey-websized_1
Judy Kurtz proudly displays her dad’s Smoke Eater jersey and Canada shirt in a shadow box in her Horseshoe Valley, home. Dick’s favourite hat is perched on top. Photo: Submitted

The Trail Smoke Eaters legacy transcends time and place.

Judy Kurtz, daughter of ‘39 Smoke Eater Dick Kowcinak, reached out to the Trail Times last week from Ontario sending a letter and photos of her father commemorating his world championship year with the Smoke Eaters.

The letter coincided with the city proclaiming March 12 as “Trail Smoke Eaters World Championship Teams Day.”

Born Richard Benedict Kowcinak on May 25, 1917, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dick had a long and successful hockey career.

He played for the Winnipeg Monarchs and won a Memorial Cup in 1937, before joining the Trail Smoke Eaters for their Allan Cup win and 1939 World Championship victory in Switzerland.

Dick Kowcinak proudly showing his Trail Smoke Eater jerseys (date unknown). Photo: Submitted
Dick Kowcinak proudly showing his Trail Smoke Eater jerseys (date unknown). Photo: Submitted

“When the Smoke Eaters won the Allan Cup in the 1937-38 season, he and Johnny McCreedy were bunkies,” Kurtz shared.

“Dad has pictures of the German army on patrol, taken from the train, when they were on tour in Europe.

“You know their history on that trip, they were world champions!”

Judy Kurtz shares some pages from an album that Dick’s granddaughter made for him.
Judy Kurtz shares some pages from an album that Dick’s granddaughter made for him.

Kowcinak played in the American Hockey League from 1943 to 1946 and then played in the International Hockey League from 1947 to 1951.

He won the league scoring title in 1947-48 and 1949-50 and won the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1949-50. The left-winger has also been inducted in the Sports Hall of Fame in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario.

Judy Kurtz shares some pages from an album that Dick’s granddaughter made for him.
Judy Kurtz shares some pages from an album that Dick’s granddaughter made for him.

He retired in 1951, but was “still skating into his 90s, sometimes four, five times a week,” said Kurtz.

“I proudly display his Trail Smoke Eaters jersey and Canada shirt in a shadow box in our home in Horseshoe Valley, Ontario.”

Like many households of yore, Saturday night was “Hockey Night” in the Kowcinak household.

“Dad, mom, my sister and I, all watched the NHL game together, with dad always enhancing the game with his knowledgeable comments about players and the game itself,” ” Kurtz reminisced. “He played in the ‘glory’ years of hockey, when the game was enjoyable to watch and the players did not set out to maim one another.”

Judy Kurtz shares some pages from an album that Dick’s granddaughter made for him.
Judy Kurtz shares some pages from an album that Dick’s granddaughter made for him.

Another member of the Trail Smoke Eaters ‘39 team, Mel Snowden, is Judy’s godfather.

Dick Kowcinak lived in Sarnia, ON until his death at the age of 94 years, on Sept. 6, 2011.

The husband, father, great grandfather, and friend to many, was laid to rest in Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Sarnia.

Rest in Peace.

Read more: City proclaims March 12 ‘Trail Smoke Eaters Championship Teams Day’

Read more: Smoke Eaters begin quarantine

Read more: Trail Historical Society - Historic Trail Smoke Eaters



newsroom@trailtimes.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter