As the region celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Smoke Eaters’ sensational 1961 World Hockey Championship win, it’s worth considering the reason they succeeded.
It’s simple and it’s been said before, but the word is powerful in its potential: Teamwork.
The Smokies wouldn’t have made Montreal, let alone set foot on a plane to Europe, had Trail, Nelson, and other municipalities not donated big chunks of change; money raised through taxes is a manifestation of teamwork on a grand scale.
Grassroots teamwork was more visible in the students’ campaigns and all the individuals and businesses who contributed in their own way.
Of course, the team itself practised together and practised hard. And when they were done, they all got together with their families to play music and enjoy each other as friends.
Overseas, the team was galvanized by a sense of responsibility to all of Canada — nationalism in its healthiest form, inspiring the team to work together, to strive for a common goal.
It could have been otherwise.
A motion to raise money for the team might have bogged down in council. Perhaps the students would have preferred to play video games, had such distractions existed. After practice, players could have retired to separate homes to watch TV on the couch.
And lest we forget, nationalism is used to match men in mortal combat and to bomb families into oblivion. In 1961, the world hung in the balance of Khrushchev vs. Kennedy. How much better to play hockey.
We choose our attitude at every moment. The old Smokies keep it real for us: There’s nothing wrong with competition, and everything right with gritty drive and steely determination.
But co-operation is at the core, the source of success.
— Rossland News