ESTEVAN - Guy Mehler has been coming to the Estevan Strippers Molson Spring Bust Tournament since it began in the early 1980s.
Mehler, age 75 years and 11 months, won the Frank John Oldest Player Award at the 41st edition of the tournament, held from April 2-6 in Estevan and Bienfait. He was playing defence for the Estevan Broken Arrow Bruins team this year.
Mehler said he keeps coming back because he loves playing hockey, and he enjoys the social element of the tournament.
Prior to the tournament's inception, he spent 11 years playing for the Bienfait Coalers of the Big Six Hockey League. He also played for more than 40 years with the Estevan Flyers; his last season was in 2020. He played a game in the 30-and-over division at age 73 a couple of years ago, and then he played for the Broken Arrow team for the first time this year.
"That was a good choice. They're a good bunch," said Mehler.
The tournament also has a good social element.
"The people you see from all over come to this tournament each year, and they look forward to it," said Mehler.
The award is named after John, who played in the tournament for decades and was a big part of the Strippers organization. He won the oldest player award in 1992 – the second year it was handed out.
A player can win the award only once.
