Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams among big names coming to Canadian Senior Hockey Championship in Calgary

Dave 'Tiger' Williams is among the 520 players competing in Calgary for the Canadian Senior Hockey Championship.

There are some big names competing at the Canadian Senior Hockey Championship in Calgary.

Thirty-four teams and 520 players are here at the Cardel Rec Centre in Calgary to compete in the Canadian National Senior Hockey Championship.

In all there are six divisions from 55-plus all the way up to 80-plus. You may even recognize some of the names like former NHL player Dave “Tiger” Williams, who will suit it up in the 70-plus division and is happy to be competing.

“The competition is good, but they also know how to play properly at our age,” said Williams, who has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angelese Kings and Hartford Whalers.

“Being 72 years old, I’m happy they would take me.”

Williams isn’t the only former pro playing in this tournament — Morris Lukowich and Rich Preston used to light it up in the World Hockey Association and the NHL.

They were on the ice on Thursday morning playing for Calgary Crowchild in a 70-plus game against Saskatoon.

Both were involved in setting up the game winning play.

“I think Rich (Preston) made a nice pass to me and I took it wide and managed a shot on goal,” Lukowich said. “I got the rebound and looked around and I actually had to look twice because Dave Hindmarch was so wide open. I couldn’t believe it and then he buried it.”

Preston has been playing senior hockey for the last 12 or 13 years and says he’s having a blast.

“Get your exercise and have fun with the boys and a win is a win, no matter if it’s for a coffee or a beer.”

“Hockey dressing room camaraderie. Guys work together to win. We’re not here to lose we’re here to win. It’s old man hockey, though you can’t spear and stuff.”

Great competition

Though their NHL days are behind them, the players are still quite competitive.

For Claude Vilgrain, who played in NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers, playing for a national title helps get the juices flowing.

“It’s pretty cool,” the 63-year-old said.

“We played two years ago in Quebec City and finished third but that was a great event. Playing with people our age and then there’s some good competition. It’s (like) a little Olympics, so it’s pretty fun.”

If you ever saw Williams play, you’ll remember his goal celebration, gliding with the stick between his legs.

He says don’t expect that at this tournament.

“You know I’m on a zero contract,” he said.

“I’m normally not used to that you know so if I’m going to do something special, you’re going to have to get your cheque book out,” he laughed.

The Canadian National Hockey Championship runs until Sunday at the Cardel South Rec. Centre.