NOKOMIS, Sask. – Residents of the hometown of Saskatchewan NHL legend Elmer Lach, who died Saturday, are remembering him as a kind man and an excellent hockey player.
“The little devil on skates,” said Arthur Ramshaw with a laugh. The 97-year-old used to play hockey with Lach when they were children.
READ MORE: Montreal Canadiens great Elmer Lach dies at 97
Allan Rahn, owner of Rahn’s Service & Gas Bar Owner, has collected a dozens full of photos of Lach over the years. The photos and posters adorn a wall behind the cash register inside the store.
“It’s sort of sad to see because he was a good player,” said Rahn of the death.
He was born after Lach left Nokomis. The two never met, but they spoke on the phone and sent letters to each other.
“It shows a few of the highlights through the years,” said Karen Lee, the chairperson of Nokomis and District Museum, of a display featuring photos donated by Rahn of Lach.
While there are few left, some residents in the town have had firsthand contact with Lach, she added.
“I think my father played hockey with him at one point,” said Lee.
Rahn said he plans to donate more of his collection in the future: “He’s part of history, but they won’t forget him. I won’t.”
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