Grinders’ goalie celebrates 80th birthday

YORKTON – John Garbutt, goalie for the Yorkton Grinders Old Timers hockey in Yorkton, celebrated his 80th birthday on March 1 and hit the ice the next day.

“I started skating in about 1950,” said Garbutt, adding, “the first time I put on goal pads was about 1957.” 

Garbutt, who grew up in Hanna, Alta,, said he has been playing hockey since he was 16. 

“When I first started playing hockey I played forward,” noting, “I could skate with anyone, but I was never too confident with the puck.” 

Garbutt said he discovered he had a knack for goaltending, stating that he could move laterally really well.   

“I probably realized that I had a real talent for the position too late in life”, said Garbutt, adding, “I’m quite sure I would have done better if I had some decent coaching and encouragement.” 

Garbutt said he has played for multiple clubs over the past 64 years.   

“In 1958 to ’59, I was playing in the Highway 9 League,” noting the league was juvenile, equivalent to Jr. B.   

“In ’59 to ’60 I went to a town called Nanton, south of Calgary.” 

In Nanton, Garbutt spent two years playing for the Foothills Hockey League.  From there he would move to Calgary where he would play for the Calgary Varsities in the Bill Powers Media League, eventually moving on to play in the Alberta Summer Hockey League.   

“In the late 70’s, throughout the mid-80s, I played in the ASHL,” said Garbutt, adding, “a lot of the Western Hockey League players played in that league to stay in shape [during their off season].” 

The league was essentially a drop-in of sorts where anyone could show up and play, even the pros. 

“Al MacInnis showed up, I think it was 1986; he had the hardest shot in hockey at that time.” 

MacInnis played for the Calgary Flames at the time and would later go on to win a Stanley Cup with them in the 1988-1989 season.   

Garbutt recalled facing MacInnis.   

“He had quite a few shots and I managed to get in front of quite a few of them,” said Garbutt, adding, “It was scary, and it was also a thrill.” 

Garbutt would go on to play in the ASHL for thirteen years before moving to Saskatchewan. 

“In the year 2000, the wife and I moved to her family farm near Bangor,” said Garbutt.   

In 2007, Garbutt started playing for the Grinders.  Now, in his 15th year with the team, Garbutt is unsure if he will continue.   

“I don’t know whether I’ll play after this season or not,” said Garbutt, adding that even once he’s hung up his pads, he’ll still come out and skate for the exercise.  

In April, Garbutt will attend the Estevan Strippers Annual Tournament with the Grinders, where he thinks he’ll be the oldest goaltender. 

“The tournament has been running for about 35 years,” said Garbutt, noting, “To my knowledge, the oldest goaltender [from past events] was 78.” 

Garbutt still finds time to watch hockey in his spare time.  He said he cheers for Canadian teams with no particular favourite and also possesses season tickets to the Yorkton Terriers.