The Innisfail Eagles are celebrating 80 years of senior hockey, marking eight decades of community support, volunteer dedication and local tradition. The North Central Hockey League team will celebrate its anniversary Saturday, Oct. 17, with festivities and alumni introductions during its home game against the Camrose Vikings. General manager and head coach Ryan Dodd said the milestone reflects the dedication of the people who have kept the organization going through generations. “Being able to put this team on the ice for 80 years is just unbelievable,” Dodd said. He said the Eagles have built strong community ties by bringing together local players and those who have returned to Central Alberta after playing junior or professional hockey. Many players also work in the community as firefighters, paramedics, tradespeople and business owners. Michael Bennett, a board member and team historian who has been involved with the Eagles for more than 30 years, said the team has welcomed hundreds of players from across Alberta. The club traces its roots to the 1946-47 season, with its history including a brief interruption in the early 1990s after its former arena was condemned. Bennett said the team is more than a place to watch hockey. “It’s a pillar of the community,” he said. The Eagles currently have 11 players from Innisfail, a significant increase from a period when the roster had just one local player. Family Tradition For Riley Simpson, the anniversary is also a celebration of family. He has played for the Eagles since 2017, following in the footsteps of his father, Dwayne, and grandfather, Stan. “It’s crazy that it’s 80 years and fortunate enough that I get to play on the same team that my dad and my grandpa played for,” Simpson said. Stan, who is also turning 80, first played for the organization in 1965. He said the Eagles’ strong organization and loyal fan base continue to attract players from across Alberta. “Innisfail has such a good organization that draws players from other parts of Alberta, really to come and play here because it’s a real sound organization,” he said. “The fans are great.” Dwayne, who played for the Eagles in the late 1980s and 1990s, said seeing his son carry on the family tradition has been special. “It’s kind of neat that obviously my dad played, but then it was neat that I played, but I didn’t think Riley would ever probably come back here and play,” he said. “So it’s pretty cool now to see him play.” Dwayne also credited the volunteers who have helped sustain the team over the decades, saying many have dedicated years of time and effort without receiving the recognition they deserve. The anniversary celebration on Oct. 17 will feature giveaways, commemorative merchandise and former players returning to the rink. For Dodd, the milestone comes down to the people behind the organization. “80 years, you don’t get there without having great people,” he said.
