By Alison Shepherd - Williams Lake Tribune - January 17, 2008
Former lakecity resident Al Matthews received an early Christmas gift when he found out that he had been selected as an inductee to the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Matthews, who now lives in Victoria, was informed of the decision on Dec. 23.
“It’s a great privilege and honour,” Matthews says.
The media announcement of this year’s inductees was made last week and Matthews will be officially inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in July.
Matthews was a teacher-librarian at Columneetza until he retired in June. He now lives in Victoria where he says he can watch all levels of hockey, including BCHL hockey.
“You know what the final nail in the coffin was [for the move to Victoria]? When we lost the TimberWolves,” he jokes.
Joking aside, Matthews has been staying on top of the issues in the community, including the TimberWolves possible return to the lakecity, and he believes if the Williams Lake Junior A Hockey Society are able to purchase the team, it could be viable.
Matthews’ volunteer experience in hockey stretches back to the 1970’s and continues to the present. Matthews says he watched a Junior B hockey game earlier in the week and he says he volunteered to help at future games. He is also the treasurer for the Canadian Hockey Foundation.
“I’m keeping my hand in it. I’m not completely out of hockey,” he says.
Matthews has been a volunteer with the International Ice Hockey Federation, Junior B Hockey, the B.C. Amateur Hockey Association, Peace Cariboo Junior A Hockey League, Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association, Kootenay International Junior B Hockey League, B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame, and Hockey Canada.
Before retiring from Hockey Canada in September he was chairman of the board and was the education consultant and Hockey Canada representative for the Under 18 Team for the World Championships.
Matthews helped to make sure players stayed on top of their school work so when they returned from their tournaments, they were not too far behind their classmates.
Matthews’ list of volunteer activities is not limited to just hockey, it also includes volunteering for school and in the community.
Matthews does not know who nominated him, but says he is honoured to be in the company hockey greats.
Other inductees this year include former Vancouver Canuck Cliff Ronning and former Detroit Red Wing Steve Yzerman, who was born in Cranbrook.
Matthews says his being inducted into the Hall of Fame means that volunteers are recognized as a huge part of the game.
“It recognized all of us as much as it recognizes me,” he says.
Matthews will be officially inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame at a dinner and reception in Penticton on July 25.
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