A FAMILY AFFAIR ON THE ICE- Al Brandt, 81, takes a break from action in the George Taylor Wine Capital Hockey Tournament to sit with line-mate and son Doug, 57, and grandson Lee, 27, who officiated their game. Dale Cory photo
Hello, Canada, and hockey fans in the United States and Newfoundland. This is Foster Hewitt, and tonight, we are coming to you from beautiful Oliver, British Columbia, where the George Taylor Wine Capital Hockey Tournament is underway. Down at ice level here at Oliver Arena, it’s Team 2 against Team 3.
And action is underway. Here’s Al Brandt with the puck. Al passes it across to Doug Brandt. The younger Brandt makes his way in across the line. Here’s a shot, right on net. And now Brandt heading to the corner, and he’s tripped up.
Referee Lee Brandt has his arm up in the air, and it looks like he will call a penalty against Team 3.
Ah, the golden tones of Foster Hewitt, the broadcaster most famous for his play-by-play calls on Hockey Night in Canada.
While Foster is long gone, you could almost hear him describing the play – similar to the way he would have many years ago, when the Hulls, the Richards, the Mahovolichs, and the Espositos were turning on the red light with ease.
Of course, the most famous father-son(s) combinations to ever suit up in the National Hockey League are Gordie Howe, and sons Marty and Mark. All three played together during the 1979–80 NHL season with the Hartford Whalers, the only such time in NHL history that a father and his sons were active at the same time.
Now, back to ice level at Oliver Arena, where Al, 81, of Osoyoos, and son Doug, 57, who grew up in Osoyoos and now lives in Abbotsford, played on the same line during the George Taylor tournament.
Last Friday morning, their second game in the tournament was officiated by Doug’s son, and Al’s grandson, Lee, 27, of Langley.
While the three Brandts on the ice at the same time may not have a Howe-impact – it was unique and fun for everyone involved.
“I love it. I’ve never enjoyed it more in my life. I play twice a week here in town with a bunch of young guys. It’s great. I never got the chance to play when I was little. Growing up in Vancouver, there were no rinks. I started skating when I took them (his sons) at three and four years old down to Cloverdale on the flats. From there on, it just mushroomed,” said Al, who may have slowed a bit on the ice, but is nowhere close to retirement. “Everything aches a little bit. It’s all good. I can’t see me quitting at all.”
I sat down with all three between periods Friday. The first question? Which Brandt – Al or Doug – is the better player?
Wouldn’t you know it, Al pointed at Doug – Doug pointed at Al.
“You see, I’m learning,” said Al with a laugh. “I never started till I was 28. He started when he was four. A little bit of a difference.”
Which means each has been playing for about 50 years!
“We are getting better every generation,” said Al. “My son’s better than me. His son, my grandson, is playing, and he’s a little superstar now.”
Doug admits he learned a few things about the game of hockey from Al.
“Oh, he taught me some good stuff.”
The Brandts have played in many tournaments together over the years, and were even joined by another of Al’s sons in the past – giving them the full Howe effect on the game.
Doug was asked if ‘old man’ Brandt ever passes the puck to him.
“If I ever get it I pass it to him,” interjected Al.
“He’s our give and go guy – because he doesn’t go very good,” responded Doug to more laughter.
While Al is involved to play the game, he also helps out behind the scenes with the organization of the George Taylor Wine Capital Hockey Tournament, which saw players range in age from 55 to 85 years. The event holds a great deal of importance to him.
“This tournament is really important, for the community, and for all the guys of all ages. This tournament is also for the up and coming guys, the 25 and 30 year olds, so they have something to play in,” says Al. “We want to build on this so other generations can keep coming and playing.”
Doug may have found the key to the event when he offered up the following comment:
“It’s a great family weekend too. My grandsons, my son, my dad – we live in Abbotsford, my son lives in Langley, and so, we all get together as a family. That’s one of the great things,” said Doug. “It gives us a reason to come out. Hockey is kind of the interest we all have together, but we get to be together as family.”
And that family included Lee’s officiating during Friday’s game.
So, how did he do?
“He’s more like a Kerry Fraser. If he didn’t have to wear his helmet, his hair would be perfect,” said Doug with a snicker.
“I threatened him,” added Al, tongue-in-cheek of course. “He’s staying at my house. He has to have a place to sleep.”
“I’m just trying to keep up to the pace. It’s pretty fast out there. At times I miss a lot,” said Lee, tongue firmly planted. “It’s just fun to get on the ice and see these guys still enjoy it at such an old age.
It’s funny too, being in the dressing room, and hearing the old guys talk about the 55 year olds who are just kids. No matter where you go, there’s always the young guys on the team making a name for themselves. It’s fun to be around, for sure.”
By the second period, Lee had yet to call any penalties, well aware that he should definitely stay away from sending either his father, or his grandfather, to the sin bin.
“I started to think about it near the end of the period when I started seeing guys dropping, and I thought, ‘Oh yeah, I gotta start calling something if it’s an actual hook or a penalty’,” said Lee. “I think in the third. I’m going to crack down, because the game was getting away from me. Look to see a couple of penalties called in the third period.’”
Chatting with these three family members, it became quite apparent the game is very much about family.
“It’s awesome,” summarized Al. “They come up here during the year sometime and play with us during the week. Then Lee can play with us too, so there’s three of us on one line.”
And will there be at least one member of the Brandt family playing in the NHL someday?
“We hope Joe is going to make it,” said Al. “That’s Lee’s oldest, he’s seven and he’s a superstar.”
“Brandt shoots. He scores.”
And that’s a call Al, Doug and Lee could listen to over and over.
Dale Cory
Oliver Chronicle
