A young hockey player, dryland training prior to on-ice practice, stops at Hannigan’s Sports inside the McIntyre Arena. Like thousands of players before him, he asks to get his skates sharpened.
“How would you like them done?” asked Dan “Tixie” Hannigan.
“Three quarters,” is the reply.
“Ah, you must be a goalie,” Hannigan said, with a big smile.
Hannigan has been a fixture at the rink for more than 20 years. It was 1979 when the man local hockey players know as Tixie began sharpening skates.
“It was just a part-time job when I started, because I used to get laid off in construction,” he said. “Then I took this up for the winter and it grew into a full-time business.”
It turned out to be the perfect job for someone who loves hockey.
“I played a little bit,” Hannigan said. “Everybody played hockey in the old days.
“I like watching the kids play and I like hockey. You look at the kids and you try to improve their game. So, when they come in to get their skates sharpened, I try to fix them up so they can do a little bit better.”
At age 77, Hannigan still enjoys coming to the rink. He loves being around the game. While the little shop sells items like hockey tape and laces, skate sharpening is his calling.
“I don’t do as many as I used to do because in the old days there weren’t that many places. Now there are quite a few places and a lot of competition,” he said. “I also repair hockey equipment … but hardly anyone fixes stuff anymore, they just buy new stuff.”
Hannigan is proudly from Schumacher. The Mac has always been the centre of his hockey universe. His eyes light up when he talks local hockey.
“When the Schumacher Bears were playing in the all-Ontario juvenile championships, that was probably my favourite time to watch hockey,” he said. “That was 1968, ‘69, ’70.
“I used to coach the younger kids, the midgets, then we would move them up to juvenile. For three years, the little town of Schumacher went for the all-Ontario championships. They played against all Ontario and had quite a few good hockey players come from out of here.
“In those days, they allowed you four pickups. So, whoever won, they were able to put four more players on their team to compete with the bigger centres.”
Back then, a local team going on a championship run was an event not to be missed.
“This place used to be packed at 5 o’clock and the game didn’t start ‘til 7,” Hannigan recalled. “It was big, and good hockey. This was junior hockey then. It would have been the same grade as what The Rock is now.”
The arena is filled with hockey memories for Hannigan. He recalls them like they just happened yesterday.
“When the Timmins North Stars had their run, that was good hockey too,” he said. “Then in the early days, when I was young, the senior hockey was here. The mines league, that was almost like a pro league, it was very good hockey.
“They would bring in guys to work (to play on the team). There was the T&S Flyers, the Abitibi Eskimos, the Kap GMs, Rouyn was in for a couple of years, and the South Porcupine Porkies.”
Hannigan’s Sports wasn’t always located inside the arena.
“I moved in here about 20 years ago,” he said. “I had a store on Father Costello Drive, and used to make up hockey sweaters — I (did) all the team uniforms.
“When they built the bypass, I downsized and got out. I started this. This (skate sharpening) was my number one anyways when I started out. Mass production came in (for uniforms), where I used to do everything hand cut.”
Hannigan not only loves hockey, but also cares about the community. He has been collecting funds to help out local organizations.
“I raised up my skate sharpening, to give a dollar to the poor,” he explained. “I put out a jar and when The Rock are playing, people will walk by and put money in.
“Last year, we gave $5,500 to the poor, through different agencies that need the money. This year, we’re aiming a little bit higher.”
He has a hand-written list keeping track of donations, dates and agencies.
“Instead of raising up the price, I made them pay the dollar,” he said. “Soon as it adds up, I get the food vouchers for them and they go and buy the food.
“There are a few groups I give quite a bit to and they appreciate it.”
Hannigan expertly finishes sharpening the skates for the young goaltender. He has no plans to retire completely from his post. His love for the game is too strong to keep Tixie away from the rink.
Hannigan’s Sports is located inside the McIntyre Arena. Call 705-365-8913 or find them on Facebook.
