Jeff was an "original Cowboy", beginning his coaching career on our very first game, 23 seasons ago.  For him to hang it up now was a bit of a surprise.  But then again, he just finished leading us to a Play-off Championship, a moment delayed by some 17 years.  What better time to go out?

Well, I thought there was a better time and it was several years down the road.  I dismissed his message thinking we would reject his resignation and talk him into staying on when the new season rolled about.  A was wrong about that, and I quickly realized that a few days later when I received a letter from the Coach.  He clearly explained his position and his reason, noting that the decision had been made before the final game, regardless of outcome.  That makes the results of that game that much more special.

We accepted Coach's resignation and prepared to warily venture out on our own. But... he wasn't going to get off that easy.  This was as good an excuse as any to have a party, so a surprise event was scheduled for Nov 7 2002.

All were invited to meet at the Riverhouse in Delta to await his arrival for what he thought was a private dinner with his family.

It was a great evening.  It was a chance to say thanks and show our appreciation, and it was a chance to put him on the hot seat and give him a good ribbing.  Many stories were shared, and as much as we tried to humiliate him, I dare say there was little mud that would stick. Despite the jabs we took at him, there was little we could do to knock him down.  The fact is, like his stature, his character is a solid as a rock.

- by Doug Collins

We are fortunate to be able to donate cash gift certificates to such people.  It is a small effort for us, but a tremendous lift to those who receive. And it brightens Christmas for all of us.

The letter was unsigned, but obviously it was written by someone who took part in the distribution of the gifts.  (We do not ask to know who receives the gifts.  We trust the selection to the school staff who are in a better position to identify the need and determine the worthiness.)  This year the writer felt a simple thank you note was not enough.  They wanted us to know how much the donation meant to the people that received it.  The letter was prompted by the staff who mentioned "that it is too bad the Cowboys couldn't be here to see what their gifts meant to these families".

In sensitivity to those mentioned in the letter I will not reveal the details of the personal hardship and misfortune of the ones so grateful for the gifts.  I will only say that the stories ranged from serious illness to economic misfortune to devastation within the family unit.  The striking factor of each story is that it could happen to any of us at any time.

With the assistance of Mitchell School, we helped out 10 families this year.  We do not know them.  Possibly we never will.  That does not matter.  What does matter is that some good was done.  Perhaps, in a better day, a child will have grown up and will remember a certain Christmas because of a gift they did not expect, a gift that they could not have dreamed of... or maybe it was just a special happiness in their Mom or Dad's eyes that just made this Christmas special.  And maybe, one day Christmas will not be a difficult time and they will understand the joy we once received on that same day. 

Merry Christmas Everyone,

Doug Collins
On behalf of The Richmond Cowboys

This was the sixth official Old Boot Challenge, where the Original 1979 team re-unites to challenge the newer players on the team. Played outside Richmond for the first time, at Tilbury Arena, there was something else different about this game.  It was the first time the Original Team would not carry in the Old Boot!  Last year the "Rookie" team defeat the "Old Boots" for the first time. 

It was something the Original Team was not used to, but maybe they better get used to it.  Used to it or not, they didn't have to like it.  Maurice sure didn't!  

The game started slow for the Originals, but quite quickly for the Rookies.  By the 2nd period the Old Boots were down 4 - 0.  Coach Cruickshank repremanded his players.  This was not the game plan.  The plan was only to spot the Rookies 3 goals, not 4!   The team rallied like days of old, took back their 3 goals and battled within a goal.  

In the third period, "Coach" pulled out all the stops, shuffled the lines demonstrating coaching skills that made the whole team fully appreciate why he had retired.  He put his three best shooters on the forward line and everyone else on the bench.  While the rest of the team tried to figure out why we were suddenly 2 men short, Rick May mercilessly walked in a scored, putting the Rookies up 5 - 3.

Reeling from the blow and with just minutes left on the clock, the Old Boots were down but not out.  Coach Crucikshank made his best move of the night and pulled Andre Retel from the net.  With extra attacters, the Original team stormed the Rookie zone.  A desparate battle in the corner and a frantic flurry in front of the net and the Originals were suddenly back within 1 with less than a minute to go.  It was if the spirit of Maurice was with them.  Some say he was.  Some even say they saw him.  In fact, the Rookie team even went so far as to say that the Old Boots had too many men on the ice and should be penalized!  The referee would not hear the arguement.  Even if he did see him, he couldn't call too many men, after all it was a ghost!

The pucked dropped at centre ice with seconds left and the Old Boot net empty.  In old Cowboys 'dump and chase' style Hap May flipped the puck into the Rookie zone.  Goaltender Dave Harkness chased it to the corner before the Old Boots could get to it. But rather than clear the puck, he fumbled with it clumsily.  The puck came loose, the Old Boots came up with it, and Dave Harkness was still stuck in the corner.  The puck back to the point. Harkness was still in the corner, leaning face first against the boards.  With nobody around him he couldn't seem to get his balance.  The puck was in front and the net was wide open.  Dave Harkness was against the boards as if some invisible force was holding him there.  The shot!  The game would be tied, but the puck did not cross the red line.  A Rookie player (I believe it was Pat O'Neil would was supposed to be drafted to the Old Boots team this year had the Rookie not been short players) reached across and blocked it on the line!

The Rookies may have score in the empty net after that, I'm not sure.  It didn't matter.  The Old Boots had given it all they had (and then some) but it just wasn't enough this time.  Clearly the Rookies have come of age.  Their desire to win was only outdone by their desire to celebrate afterwards.  The story goes on, but this is where it ends for me.  I left early that night (relatively speaking) determined to recover the Old Boot next year.  I was offered a ride home by a stranger in the parking lot.  He was a curious old fellow with gray hair and a jet black beard. He was kind enough, but seemed to be in a bad mood.  He didn't say much on the drive home, he just kept muttering something about a cold right foot.
 

- Doug "Mr. Cowboy" Collins 

Although Jeff was dressing, he was not expected to play.  This did not deter his entourage.  Mayland was vacated by 6:00pm as everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the newest Prince Albert Raider in warm-up.  Afterwards Kim May marveled, "It was the first time the entire May family was on time for something!"

Banners and boisterous cheers, caught everyone's attention.  I'm sure many were wondering why so many fans had traveled all the way from Saskatchewan to see this game.  It was the most exciting pre-game warmup these new Raider fans had witnessed.  But there was more to come.  It was announced that Jeffery May would be in the starting line-up.  Jeff stood on the blue line for the National Anthem proudly wearing his father's number (Hap May, # 11 for the Cowboys), but not nearly a proudly as 5 rows of section T. 

Jeff May managed 3 shifts in the game.  In his second shift Jeff brought section T to its feet, when he left his to level a speedy Giants' attacker.  Later a shot from the point created 'May'hem in the stands.  It was Jeffery's first shot on goal in the WHL!!!  "Give him the puck!" I yelled.  As if by fate, moments later the puck tumbled over the glass, bounced off a few spectators and ended up in cousin Cory May's hand.  It might as well have been Barry Bonds' 71 home run ball.  You couldn't have pried that puck out of Cory's hand with a crowbar.  He was going to return this one to its rightful owner.  

With the help of Jeff May, the last place Prince Albert Raiders defeated the hometown Giants 3 - 2.  Jeff will return from "The Show" to play out his season in Richmond Minor Hockey, but you can be sure he will not be the same hockey player.  This experience will stay with him and he will waiting anxiously to return to the big league.  As Ron Fontaine said, "The Giants should make a trade for him for ticket sales alone." Where ever he ends up, we'll all be behind him, waiting for the chance to cheer him on again, but more than that, we will be waiting for the day he is old enough to wear Dad's number 11 - the one with the Cowboy hat on the front.

Good Luck Jeff!

- Doug "Mr. Cowboy" Collins