By Bernie Pascall
The Vancouver Canucks Alumni represents a lifelong bond built on hockey career memories. The group actively shares its hockey expertise by attending various charitable functions and supporting innumerable fundraising endeavours across British Columbia. Frequently, this is reflected in other sports besides hockey.
The BC Hockey Hall of Fame has enshrined many members of the Canucks Alumni over the years. Recently, there was a unique twist in another induction process involving football. The late Jim Robson, a renowned hockey play-by-play commentator and a member of the Canucks Alumni, was saluted by the BC Football Hall of Fame at their annual Hall of Fame Induction. Jim was the recipient of “The Special Award” presentation. While known for his hockey and baseball commentary, Jim was also a former play-by-play broadcaster of the CFL BC Lions on CKWX and, for the past 14 years, was a member of the Football Hall of Fame Media selection committee. His daughter, Jennifer Butler and son, Mike Robson, were in attendance at the Induction ceremony in October at BC Place to accept the Award from Football Hall of Fame inductee Bernie Pascall and Director Scott Ackles.
Russ Courtnall made an impact as an NHL player with seven different teams in a 16-year career. He played three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. Much of his sports interest now is watching the soccer career of his daughter Brooklyn. She is a defender with San Diego of the National Women’s Soccer League. Brooklyn is also a playing member of Canada’s National women’s team and helped the team win a Silver medal at the “She Believes Cup”. Canada will play Panama at the Concacaf event in late November, looking to qualify for the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The Courtnall family will be cheering the team along with thousands of other Canadian soccer fans.
A sad note from the hockey world. Peggy Neale, beloved wife of legendary hockey coach and Hall of Fame hockey broadcaster Harry Neale, passed away in New York State in the spring. Peggy and Harry met when he was coaching the New England Whalers. Peggy was a nurse/anesthetist. The couple moved to Vancouver in the 1980’s when Harry was named Coach of the NHL Canucks.
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arry and Peggy raised five children, including son David, who coaches his children in the Niagara Falls area. Grandson Harry plays in the U11 division while granddaughter Charlee is with the seven-year-olds. Grandpa Harry attends all the home games and gave the boys’ team a little advice: “If you want to stay on this team, you have to backcheck, forecheck and bodycheck”. Son David was quick to jump in: “Dad, there’s no bodychecking at this level of play”. That was greeted with loud laughter from the young players.