Jacques Plante’s goalie mask sits like an unsettling costume element from a horror movie in a travelling Hockey Hall of Fame display case at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. The mask, along with three of the top National Hockey League trophies, are among the intriguing items in an extensive exhibit that is part of the museum’s Family Day Weekend.
The crowds that staff expected at the popular Centre Wellington museum started pouring into the event early on Saturday morning. By about 11 a.m., the second floor exhibit room was teeming.
At the same time, families with their children took part in a number of interactive games, including one that allows kids to strap on goalie equipment and stop shots from a soft puck machine. Another clocks the speed of slap shots.
“I just play hockey in my driveway,” said Mason Vellema, who had good form and quickness in goal. “I’m really enjoying what they have here. I’m finding some fun stuff to do.”
Cory Maxwell came out to the event with his daughter Addison in his arms. The father was pumped about all the hockey artifacts, memorabilia, and trophies on hand, including many items connected to Wellington County area professional players.
“This is my kind of thing,” Maxwell said. “Having the trophies here is fantastic.”
The Art Ross Trophy for highest scorer in the regular season, the Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL’s most valuable player in a season, and the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player during the NHL playoffs, were all on hand, polished up like a shiny silver dollar.
Hockey is big in Centre Wellington, and it was big for Cory Maxwell, who played the game throughout his life.
“When we’re able to get her on skates, she’ll be playing too,” he said of his daughter.
Hockey was also a constant in the life of Sharon Weber, who was snapping pictures of the contents of the display cases. She described herself as a lifelong hockey fan, who watched her brothers, her late husband, her son, and her grandsons play over the years.
“I’ve been around hockey for a long time,” she said.
The museum’s Hockey Hall of Fame display and the interactive games run for five days, ending Wednesday. Doors are open at 10 a.m. Sunday and Monday until 4 p.m. Tickets are $5, or $20 for families.
The museum is on Wellington Road 18 between Fergus and Elora.
