These stories can also be heard on Sunday mornings around 10 am on WILD 102’s “Look Back in Time” program. Each week’s radio story will be posted here on our website.
Weekly radio stories are researched, compiled, and read by Sheila Winstead, RCHS Board Member.
January 11, 2026
In the first issue of the Roseau Times-Region of 1954, the Cloverleafs Hockey team members were introduced. I’ll read the article with descriptions listed for each of them under their individual photos.
After a slow league start in which the Cloverleafs dropped their initial game to Grand Forks, after an all-Roseau first period, the 1954 season got rolling with a much more determined team and a fighting, driving outfit that took their next two games, 4-3 from Crookston’s Pirates and 4-1 from the Thief River Falls Thieves. The Leafs are coming right along, and despite some chronic gripers … will most definitely win their share of games this winter.
There are new faces on the roster this year … and some of the old stalwarts back too. “Cap” has retired as manager and Don Willey has taken his place to steer the new club.
Albin Roseen is back at the helm of the equipment department and Elmer Pearson wields the trainer’s whip and applies the rubbing alcohol with a heavy hand.
But, without the players there would be no team, so here they are … ready to give you another season of good, fast and exciting hockey.
Kenny Little: Kenny is a fast, aggressive hockey player who is a dandy stick handler and a smooth skater who can take the “little snus box” through the enemy territory with the best of them. He’s a wingman who will definitely give Roseau many of their needed goals in games forthcoming. He played in England for a time and came up through the juniors in Winnipeg where he was also an outstanding player. Kenny played in the league last year too when he donned the uniform of the Crookston Pirates. We’ll be looking for lots of sparkle and spark from this boy!
Jimmy Zarie: Jimmy is an effortless skater who makes everything look smooth and easy. He’s one of the best stick handlers in the league and equally adept at defense or a line position. You’ll see a lot of nice performances from this lad who was an outstanding player in Winnipeg last year. Though this boy has been on defense most of our games so far, he’ll wind up the year as one of the most valuable players without a doubt. We’re happy to welcome Zarie to the Cloverleafs!
Kenny Wellen: One of Roseau’s own who played with the Cloverleafs just before he went to service. Kenny played hockey in England for two years and managed a team there. He is getting used to this style of play again and when the Pony Line is all together, you can be sure the pucks will be heading into the goal off their sticks. Kenny is a fast player who can shoot with anyone and we’ll wager that his center position will find him racking up more than a few important goals for the Leafs this season. We’re mighty glad to see you back, Kenny … let’s “give ‘er a bloody go!”
Gordy Simpson: Fans need no introduction to Gordy who was the outstanding bastion of defense last year. Gordy can be a 60-minute man without batting an eye and is right on hand at every critical play to turn the tide in favor of the Leafs. He’s captain and player-coach of the Cloverleafs this year
and has already shown the fine style that made him a favorite among the fans last season. Gordy is a clean hockey player who never lets down and feels that the fans are cheated unless a player gives all he’s got. He is a driver with the smooth efficiency of a jet engine. We’re mighty glad to see him back!
Jack Grahn: Jack is back on the ice this season and has donned the green and white of the Cloverleafs again. Primarily a defenseman, we’ll find Jack filling in the gaps in those critical instances when he’s in there before the Roseau net. Jack has played with the Cloverleafs before and got the nickname “Killer Grahn” though he’s not what the name implies. Jack loves hockey and would rather skate than eat so Roseau fans are glad to have his additional support when the 1954 hockey chips start to fly!
Myron Grafstrom: Myron is perhaps the most determined man on the Cloverleafs and in the best shape. He’s a streak on skates and showing lots of promise as a steady on the line-up this season. He’s hot after the puck and a good back-checker who is practicing his shooting for those important goals that are sure to come his way. He’s hard to beat in the corners and is showing a great deal of promise in his stick handling. Wally Stefaniw liked his promise and so do we!
Del Hedlund: Del is another of the greatly improved skaters this year. His stick handling, fighting for the puck in the corners, driving on the goal and general all-around hockey ability has shown up already this year as it never has before. He’s perhaps the easiest skater on the team and can shoot too. Del is a good back-checker too and we will be letting off a lot of steam yelling for him before the Cloverleafs have wound up this year. Del will have his share of goals and assists!
Next week I’ll read the descriptions of the rest of the Leaf players.
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for letting us share our county’s history with your listeners by donating air time, studio time, and production staff every week.