~The Winnipeg Falcons Success Story Briefly ~

Frank Frederickson captain of the Falcons, much like his later counterpart Wayne Gretzky, grew up on skates. His father faithfully flooded their backyard through the harsh Winnipeg winters to provide all of the boys in the area a place to play hockey - skates were about all these youngsters could afford. But when these boys grew into young men they were dragged away from their sticks and nets into WW1 in Europe at what might have been the prime of their game. Upon retuning home from war to the sport they loved they were barred from their regional league. "Not one single player had socks or clothes to match." stated the team captain Frank Frederikson, "No one wanted to play our rag-tag team." So the Falcons formed their own league with the other "left-outs". The Winnipeg Falcons - the team that no one wanted to play - went on that same year to sweep the league championships, the provincial championships and the Allen Cup to win the right to represent Canada at the world Olympics in Belgium. Their sportsmanlike attitude, natural talent and speed, and most of all their tightness as a team (a product of their time in the war together) won the Falcons the first ever Olympic medal in hockey. The Falcons returned home to a heroes' welcome across Canada.

Although these players didn't make millions of dollars or sign spokesman deals with Nike - the Falcons were true athletes and deserve to be remembered for their contribution to Canada's hockey history.

Written by Kathleen Arnason, illustrated by Luther Pokrant, RCA.