July 1, 2025
The feats of the foes in the first finale were the focus in a fortnight.
After the horn sounded on March 22, 1975 to end the final game at nationals in Sydney, Nova Scotia, a champion was crowned and a champion was sparked. The Camrose Lutheran College Vikings lit the lamp six times to become the first CCAA champions in any sport. The St. Clair College Saints tallied twice in an unanticipated setback. A number of the Saints returned to the fold the following season setting their sights squarely on becoming the second CCAA champions in the sport.
Last month, participants gathered in Camrose and Windsor to reminisce about their championship seasons which began or ended a half century ago. On June 6, approximately 80 percent of the 1974-75 CCAA champion Vikings were joined by movers and shakers from years gone by. On June 20, approximately 60 percent of the 1975-76 CCAA champion Saints came together with friends and family. Both events featured a round of golf prior to a celebratory dinner.
Last year, members of both teams assembled to celebrate hall of fame inductions as the 1974-75 Vikings entered the ACAC Hall of Fame and 1975-76 Saints coach Jerry Serviss entered the Windsor Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.
The bonds have sustained through peaks and valleys. As for the 1974-75 Vikings, coach Joe Voytechek and his wife Phyllis were like surrogate parents to the players and treated them like part of the family. Teammates have been there for one another when a major life event occurs such as the loss of a spouse or a child. All of the players attended the team's induction into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. Many also attended Joe Voytechek's funeral service in 2020. Assistant captain Phil Irwin and his wife Jacquie named their daughter Jodi (who now has a family of her own) in honour of the team's father like figure.
While the 1974-75 Vikings are regarded as one of the most impactful of the CCAA hockey champions with their European tour setting the stage for the Viking Cup International Hockey Tournament, the 1975-76 Saints are often referred to as the most dominant of the CCAA hockey champions with the the widest average margin of victory (7.62 goals per game) and the highest average goals for (9.92 goals per game) in the regular season and post season. Both the 1975-76 Saints and the 1984-85 NAIT Ooks won all their games in the regular season and post season on the way to raising the CCAA Championship Bowl.