Richard “Dick” Thibeau will be inducted into the USA Hockey 80-Plus Hall of Fame at a ceremony Sept. 26 at Blue Sport Stable in Superior, Colorado.
The non-profit senior hockey organization celebrates the passion, dedication, and achievements of hockey players from the United States and Canada. Thibeau, 81, is one of 34 inductees.
Thibeau was nominated by Steve Nearman, director of the Great Blizz hockey team. Thibeau is one of the head coach for the Blizz, a Boston Bruins-Alumni-sponsored hockey program for players with disabilities.
Growing up in Winthrop, Dick, whose grandparents were from Nova Scotia, was taught to play hockey by his older brother, Robert. He is a 1963 graduate of Winthrop High School.
“I played my sophomore year at Don Bosco High School,” recalled Thibeau. “I finished my high school years at Winthrop High, who didn’t have a team until a few years after I graduated. “When I was a teenager, I skated on Lewis Lake, which was called the creek side. Then we would rent ice at Lynn Arena, Boston Arena, and McHugh Forum at Boston College. Larry Larsen, Dick Dimes, and Mort Buckley also started a youth hockey program at Cronin Rink in Revere.”
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Thibeau and his friends would play pickup games at Porazzo Rink in East Boston. When Larsen Rink (now the Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center) opened in 1973, “we slid over to renting ice in Winthrop and I’ve played weekly at Larsen Rink for the past 53 years.”
Thibeau said his favorite hockey memories are playing hockey with Howie Conley, Jackie Fife, Gus Foley, John Farley, Johnny McDonald, Pudge Lally, Pudge Lally, Leo Dawson, Bobby DeGregorio, and Paul Gallivan.
Thibeau said the current group of seniors includes Jackie Duyon, Jim Merlino, and Jimmy Griffin, along with some out-of-town players.
“We call it the Beer League,” said Thibeau, smiling.
Thibeau is also the head coach of The Great Blizz, a Boston Bruins Alumni-sponsored hockey program for players with special needs.
Thibeau said his favorite all-time hockey player is Eddie Shack, who was a member of the 1967 Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Boston Bruins where he played two seasons.
“Clear the track, here comes Shack,” said Thibeau.
Like other Winthrop residents, Thibeau watched with town pride in 1980 when favorite son Mike Eruzione led Team USA to a gold medal.
Thibeau said his favorite hockey number is 9, which was worn by several great NHL players such as Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard, Andy Bathgate, Bobby Hull, and Johnny Bucyk.
Thibeau remembers buying his first hockey stick at Bucky Warren Sporting Goods in Boston for the price of $3.25. He noted he still uses a wooden hockey stick.
“I guess my only regret was that Winthrop did not have a hockey team when I was in high school,” said Thibeau. “And my final message to all players is: pass the puck, and be a good teammate.”
For his entire life, Thibeau has been a good teammate and in the sport he has calls his favorite. This fall, Thibeau’s devotion to hockey will be recognized with induction into the Hall of Fame.
