Derek Sheridan, like many in the city — and beyond — was saddened to hear of the passing of Marshall Key, aged 83.
Marshall is, without doubt, Scotland’s best-ever ice hockey player — if not Britain’s.
Derek, Bert Ross and Peem Lafferty spoke of Marshall’s great contribution to the sport.
And it’s Marshall’s long-time friend and former Dundee Rockets player Bert who gave the following to BwB.
Bert revealed: “When Marsh (as he was known in hockey circles) took over the coaching duties at Dundee Rockets, he did so with one condition — they must start a youth scheme and give ice time to the youngsters.
“Marsh quickly got to work and arranged for the first youth training session to be held on a Sunday morning at the old Kingsway rink.
“To his amazement, over 70 youngsters turned up for the session.
“Clearly the appetite was there for the sport of ice hockey in Dundee.
“After the first few coaching sessions, Marsh decided to form a team and chose a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters to play for the newly-formed Dundee Mets.
“Amongst those chosen were Graeme (Peem) Lafferty, Derek Sheridan and goaltender Mike Ward — the latter a name to become synonymous in the hockey fraternity in Dundee.
“Marshall arranged for the first game to be played against Kirkcaldy Kestrels in Fife.
“So, on a very cold and frosty Sunday morning, a bunch of enthusiastic 15-year-olds set out on their first hockey venture.”
A scary moment soon ensued, as Bert continued: “We were running late that day, so, halfway through the journey, Marsh, who was standing at the front of the bus drinking coffee, instructed the kids to get their hockey gear on as the bus was travelling, so we could take to the ice in time for the face-off.
“Being excited about the first game, the team hastily followed instructions. All of a sudden, the bus hit black ice and spun a full 360 degrees, swerving all over the road.
“At that point, the front door flew open and Marsh’s coffee flew out the door, soon to be followed by Marsh, who, at the last second, grabbed hold of the pole at the front door of the bus and clung on to safety.
“Amazingly, the bus came to a halt without any damage and we managed to complete our journey to Kirkcaldy with a full roster in time for the face-off.
“The scary event did not deter the enthusiasm of the junior Mets team and they went on to record a 9-6 victory that day, with Peem Lafferty scoring a couple of goals.
“I am sure if you ask Peem, he will tell you he scored more.
“Under Marshall’s coaching, the Mets went on to lift the Coca-Cola league title the following season.”
Names started emerging from that junior team.
Bert revealed: “The junior team went on to produce local talent for the successful Dundee Rockets, with Mike Ward, Charlie Kinmond, Derek Sheridan, Peem Lafferty and Jimmy Pennycook all making the step up.
“Later the following season, Marsh iced Ward, Sheridan and Lafferty against a strong Whitley Warriors team, whose line-up included five English internationals that night — and they shut them out on a 5-on-3 penalty kill.
“Ward, Kinmond and Pennycook later went on to represent Great Britain at national level.
“Marsh’s legacy remains in Dundee with the successful Dundee Stars now being run by Mike Ward.
“Without introducing Mike Ward to the sport, we might not have ice hockey in the city today.
“Without doubt, Marshall Key was the best ice hockey player this country has ever produced.”
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