The most thrilling achievement of the Freetown Royals was in winning the 1956 series with the Summerside Aces at the Summerside Civic Stadium. They tied the first game 3-3, took the second by a 7—3 score. The Aces won the third 13-8, but the Royals took the fourth and final game in a 6-2 victory. The game drew one ofthe largest crowds to attend a hockey game in Summerside. Thirty—three hundred fans attended and many were turned away. Following the game, Carroll Delaney presented the MacFarlane and Delaney Trophy to Captain Clayton Mill. This series has been called the upset of that decade in sport.

Royal players also won their share of individual trophies. Edgar Taylor won the highest scoring trophy twice. Lee Taylor, Walter Campbell, Clayton Mill and Robert MacMurdo won it once. The All Star Selection Trophy was won by Walter S. Simmons and Robert MacMurdo twice each and by George Somers and Walter

Campbell once each. Allison Reeves was best goalie twice in his career.

Behind all the achievements of the Royals and guiding them through almost twenty years as manager and coach was Robert S.P. Jardine, He always maintained a high team spirit among his players and conducted the teams’ affairs in an efficient manner. A pleasant event each season was the teams banquet and picnic.

Freetown fans always supported their team in large numbers and the Royals were always considered a good drawing card.

It is fitting to honor the deceased members of the Royals: Allison Deacon, Wilbert Drummond, Leo Duvar, Mark Delaney, Walter Hogg, Gerald Jardine, Willis Mill, Francis MacKay, Hillard Moase, Lloyd

Reeves, Eldon Schurman, Lea Taylor, Harold and Walter Paynter.

Freetown ladies teams were active for several years and played in Bedeque Rink. Those who participated were: goalie, Marjorie Smith, defense and forwards, Erma Smith, Mary Rogers, Shirley Hatfield, Diane Mallett, Sandra Jardine and Audrey MacEachern.

Many Freetown ladies also played hockey in later years. They participated in the One Time Gals vs. Spudette’s Ladies Hockey Series in 1967 and participated in league and scratch play for many years. Irma (Reeves) Campbell, Jennie (Reeves) McCarville and Thelma (Andrews) Campbell were Freetown ladies who also played on these teams. The Freetown Juniors Boys team were also active and played in Bedeque Rink. They included Robert Schurman, George Warren, Waldon Morrison, Gerald McCarville, Wyville Reeves, George Reeves, Edgar Taylor and Allison Reeves.

The Freetown Royals colors were carried on for a few years by Gerald Hill who managed a team of young men from Freetown. Later a number of Freetown boys including Grant Francis, Bobby J ardine, Blair Drummond, Garth Drummond and others played for Seabrooks in the Community League in Kensington Rinks. Allan Andrews also participated in team competitions. Lloyd E. Reeves has also taken part in many

old timer tournaments and has gone overseas with an old timers team.

In 1980, Dean Baglole took over management ofa Freetown Royals hockey team playing in Kensington Rink. They were successful in winning the Island playdowns in the “D” division in 1982-83. The 1985 team included Chris Caseley, John Stetson, Noel MacFarlane, Dougie Waugh, Wayne Smith, Dean Baglole, Vance MacMillan, Donald Stewart, Greg Woodside, Leith Jollimore and Bobby Crozier.

One player from Freetown is deserving of mention for his success in playing hockey over a number of

years. Eustace Reeves, won the most valuable player award in 1958 playing for the Summerside Aces when they won the Maritime Intermediate title. Then he played for the Charlottetown Royals when they won several Maritime Senior Championships. In 1966, he won the All Star award playing with the Moncton Hawks when they won the Maritime Senior Hockey League. In 1967—68, he played with the Cape Breton All Stars against

the Ottawa-Hull Canadians in a Junior Hockey Championship Series. In 1968-69 and 69-70 he coached and played with the St. John Mooseheads and in 1969 won a most valuable player award as his team won the Atlantic Championship. He also played with the Fredericton Capitols from 1971 to 1973. In 1973, he switched to the Old Timers and played for a few years with the Charlottetown Old Timers, winning two

Canadian Championships, one in Lethbridge and another in Regina.

Garth Campbell, Gordon Campbell, Peter Banman, Todd Drummond, Darryl MacLean are a few Freetown boys who have made contributions to the success of many East Prince County Hockey Teams.

Credit is due the management of Bedeque Rink, especially Billy Bagnall, for organizing hockey tournaments for those players from Freetown and other areas who do not get a chance to play organized hockey.

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