Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “, brought to you by Hal Wright Chevrolet-Cadillac-GMC-Buick on the Sunset Strip in Owen Sound.
Every year, the Ontario Hockey League sends out a ballot at the end of the regular season, asking the various media who cover the league to select the winner of the Red Tilson Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding player,
I don’t think I ever get it right.
Last year, Vincent Trocheck who ended up in Plymouth won it. My top pick was Boone Jenner of Oshawa.
In 2012, London goalie Michael Houser got the award. I was surprised Houser, and not Seth Griffith, was even on the ballot.
It goes on and on, through time.
I picked Nail Yakupov of Sarnia, Ryan Ellis wins it for Windsor. In 2008, Justin Azevedo of Kitchener got the Tilson Award and my choice was Steven Stamkos of the Sting.
I remember all this, I know all this, but what do I know about Red Tilson ?
Red Tilson’s real name was Albert, but he was tagged with Red due to his hair color.
He was a top scorer for the Oshawa Generals in his second season in the OHA and at age 19 he enrolled in the Canadian Army during the Second World War.
Lance Corporal Albert ” Red ” Tilson was killed while serving as a member of the Queens Own Rifles of Canada on October 27th, 1944, almost 70 years ago.
I can tell you quite a bit about the Red Tilson winners, but on a day such as this, Remembrance Day, I should be talking only about Red Tilson and other valiant Canadians who sacrificed long ago, so we could enjoy today.
Lest we forget.
I’m Fred Wallace