A three year journey came to fruition Saturday on Brock Street in Sarnia where the Sarnia Arena was officially renamed the Pat Stapleton Arena. Pat’s wife Jackie and son Mike were in attendance representing the family as bag pipes, a ribbon cutting, an alumni game, and refurbished arena lobby featuring memorabilia and plaques honouring the Sarnia native and Strathroy hockey legend’s career. The idea began three years ago with Sarnia’s Brian Keelan and Mike Stapleton says it was hard work and a dream come true.
Stapleton says his dad would have been happy.
Mike laced up the blades for the alumni game with past Sarnia hockey stars from the 60’s through to the 80’s, and wore his dad’s number 12. The ribbon cutting was performed by Jackie Stapleton wearing Pat’s Team Canada #3 from the 1972 Summit Series.
written by: C. Soares