Keep moving says Barry’s Bay 80+ Hockey Hall of Famer

Earlier this month Barry’s Bay resident Ralph Emmerson was inducted into the Canadian 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in Ottawa. The event highlighted the achievement of 27 players still playing recreational hockey over the age of 80 years, all from Ontario, Newfoundland and Quebec.

Emmerson is well-known locally having run his embroidery business here in the Madawaska Valley for some years. He has also contributed to this community as a volunteer, and was formerly a Board member of the Madawaska Valley Association for Community Living. Originally from Newmarket, his father died in the 1950s when Ralph was just 17 so he lived with his sister and worked in Toronto where he learned the embroidery trade. During our discussion I realized I had met Ralph more than ten years ago when I was ordering badged apparel for the staff at the Barry’s Bay Railway Station .

He began playing hockey as a youngster and has never stopped. When he settled in Barry’s Bay, Emmerson sought out local hockey opportunities and would have liked to play in the Opeongo Heritage Cup Tournament, but not being a native of the Madawaska Valley he was told he could not participate. He told The Current that this season he plays up to three times a week in Barry’s Bay and is a member of the Cobden Old Guys as well. In addition to ice hockey, Emmerson keeps active year round with snow skiing – both cross-country and downhill, water skiing, kayaking, and bicycling.

A friend in Huntsville learned of the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame and called Ralph’s teammate, lawyer Robert Howe, who was delighted to help recognise his friend’s life long passion for hockey. Howe contacted the Cobden Old Guys club who agreed to participate in the nomination process. Howe and a group of players and friends attended the Induction Ceremony in Ottawa on May 3 2025 to support and celebrate Ralph’s achievement.

When asked if he had any advice for our readers on how to live a long and healthy life, Ralph was quick to say: