The 1956 team photo shows the team in uniforms with “Border Kings” across the front. Pringle himself still has another early version, his defenseman’s jersey. This one is yellow and blue, with what would become the consistent crown motif. They only had one jersey then for both home and away. What is interesting is how this jersey predates those of the old Los Angeles Kings when they first came into the National Hockey League in 1967, who used the same colour scheme.
Although the early uniforms looked nice, changes would occur. The first major one came around 1970, when they adopted maroon, black and white. These were the colours of the old Flin Flon Bombers junior team. They produced NHL greats like Bobby Clarke and Reg Leach, as well as Lew Morrison of Hartney. Another member of the squad was Bobby Clyne of Boissevain, which is the reason they chose the new style. As Pringle remembered, they only wore them for five or six years before they went to the New York Ranger colours of red, white and blue. There would be different versions of that, some with writing, some with the crown, but always the colours.
“We’ve changed that Border King crest many times over the years,” Pringle remembered.
One uniform fad that had a short shelf life was the Cooperall pant. Instead of shorts, the full-length pant was worn. Pringle said it did have good protection, and he admitted he thought it would never disappear. Likely the Hartford Whalers and Philadelphia Flyers did as well, but eventually they died out. Some Kings wore them while others stayed with the tried and true.
Interestingly, about the time the Border Kings got their name and jerseys, they joined the new South West Hockey League. A strong team, for decades they were not able to take the championship, being blocked by dynasties in Deloraine, Waskada-Goodlands and Cartwright. However, by 1993, a team under Wayne Coxworth finally took the title. This would open the floodgates, with the Kings winning numerous titles before the SWHL folded. They moved on to Tiger Hills, climbing the top on a couple of occasions, and remain in that league today.
The 1956-57 Border Kings were made up of Pringle, Harper, Russ Pugh, Archie Kempthorne, Jack Fuller, Ron Swail, Howie Hammond, Hank Mitchell, Bob Mustard, Lyle Andrews, Jack Houston, Clair Burton, Del Pringle, George Opperman and Clarence Thio. Mel Pringle was the original manager, Walt Engbrecht the trainer and Clarence Horn the stick boy.
There were so many great players it is impossible to name them all. An interesting aspect historically is how families were represented. Holes, Campbell’s, Pringles, Clynes – brothers, fathers and sons, etc. – all donned the many colours of the Kings. This has also shown up in coaching and administration. Bobby Clyne played and coached, as did Ken Pringle. Wayne Pringle has been secretary-treasurer for about 45 years, and his grandson Jay plays and is manager. In fact, Ken, the head man for so many championships has found himself back behind the bench this year.
Pringle knows the Border Kings have a great legacy in the community and local hockey. Generations changed, new guys hit the ice, but the team still represents Boissevain well. It may have been 70 years ago that the fateful trip to the capital was made, but the impact is still there, as Boissevain remains king of the border.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff