For the week of June 4 - 10, 2003

Fore! Suns to play alumni hockey

Saturday in Boise

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They’re more interested in playing golf than in playing hockey these days.

Still, some hearty Sun Valley Suns alumni will take to the Boise ice Saturday for a Suns no-check hockey game against the Boise Blades alumni.

Game time is Saturday at 5 p.m. at Idaho Ice World.

At least one of the teams is taking the game more seriously than the other, according to Suns alumnus and event organizer Mark Broz of Boise.

"The Blades are taking it semi-seriously. They’ve had practices and everything," said Broz. "We’ll be playing golf at Quail Hollow before the game."

Playing golf beforehand is the way Broz sweetened the hockey game pot for a few of the more reluctant ex-Suns.

It’s been 24 to 25 years since the heyday of the Suns-Blades rivalry, but here are a few of the Suns old-timers due for Saturday’s day-night twinbill:

Phil Neville, Charlie Holt, Jeff Nee, Tim Rappleye, Patrick Kearney, honorary captain Phil Hoene, Broz, Dale Johnson, Tim Jeneson, Glenn Hunter, Phil Hebert, Rick Bourbonnais and Steve McCoy. The goalie will be Pat Ballou.

The coach will be John Weekes, who coached the earliest Suns teams in the 1970s. Another former Suns wing and coach, John Burke, was planning to skate in the game but he’ll be caddying for Davis Love III this coming weekend.

Members of the Blades alumni will include the five McDonough brothers—George, Kelly, Pat, Casey and Ronnie—plus chiropractor Mike Green.

After the game there will be a reception at Louie’s in Boise.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.