Where are they now? 1975-76 House league team
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, March 1, 2017
By Rick Sparling
Neepawa Press
Gary Kingsbury: I last heard that Gary moved to Regina (he was with the RCMP) and I have tried to contact a Gary Kingsbury listed in the Regina directory via leaving messages, but with no reply. If anyone knows his where-a-bouts, please advise and I'll get that information into a future column.
Brad Doble graduated from NACI in 1985. Between going to the University of Manitoba and working as a lab tech in the St. Boniface Hospital, as an undergraduate, he obtained his PhD by 2000. His initial work took him to Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, doing research on stem cell and cancer and he later became an Associate Professor at McMaster University in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences. He has been there for about 10 years, still focused on stem cell and cancer research. Brad enjoys cycling, hiking and photography and currently lives in Burlington, Ont.
John Kilburn graduated from NACI circa 1983 and joined the work force immediately, with Manitoba Pool Elevators. After all of the movement in the grain industry, that became Richardson Pioneer, where he worked up until 2011. John has been since working for Ag West in Neepawa in sales. He married Jennifer Smit and they have two children, Madison (13) and Macey (10). John enjoys snowmobiling, golfing and camping
Al Sneesby graduated from NACI and went to the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with a phys-ed degree in 1988. He worked as a personal trainer for a short period of time, but Manitoba Hydro was offering a good program, so he joined them and is still there, 27 years later. He is a power electrician and is currently the project supervisor up at Grand Rapids. Al married Kelly Angers and they have three children, Ryan (24), Tyson (22) and Matthew (21). In his spare time, Allan likes to hunt, fish and watch sports. He has recently joined up with his neighbour, working a small grain farm in the summer/fall.
Brad McConnell graduated from NACI in 1984 and played for the Portage Jr. B team in grade 12, making the drive three or four times a week in order to do so (with 3 other Neepawans). He then moved to Portage to play for the Jr. B's and the Jr. A Terriers. Brad went to the University of Manitoba (business) and still managed to play some hockey for the Portage and Carman Senior teams. He attended Red River College before accepting a job with Manitoba Telephone System in Winnipeg, where he currently resides. Brad still plays rec hockey, golfs and follows his children around to their various activities, those being Nicholas (19), Anna (16), and Meagan (14).
Brent Wiebe I had no luck in tracking down Brent. If anyone knows his where-a-bouts, please let me know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will get his information into an up-coming column.
Derek Cathcart went to high school in Neepawa and Portage, while playing for the Terriers, and played for the Neepawa Senior Natives while completing his private pilot license. He coached the Neepawa Junior Natives in its first season, in 1989, and went to the University of Manitoba from 1990-1994, obtaining a degree in Nutrition. Derek flew float planes in Northern Saskatchewan for a hunting and fishing lodge and in 1995, he flew for Beaver Air Service in The Pas. He married Tracey Hossfeld there and they have two daughters, Ashley (19) and Kristen (16). In 2000, he worked for the Province of Saskatchewan flying the Premier and other government officials to their various meetings. Since 2006, Derek has been flying a Challenger 604 Business jet for a large insurance/financial company to destinations in Canada, USA and Europe. He enjoys watching pro and amateur hockey and spends lots of time driving his daughters to their various activities.
Blake Roe worked on the family farm and at the Neepawa Creamery while attending school and took a child care course at Brandon College. He returned to Neepawa and worked at Williams Tomboy store around 1990 and after five years there he bought the store, renamed it Shop Easy and has been there for an additional 20 years. Blake married Kelly Baraniuk and they have two boys, Jeremy and Parker. Other than his work, Blake is a huge fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, so watches as many Hawk games as possible.
Al Hanke went to the University of Manitoba after graduating from NACI. After university, he began his teaching career up north, spending 13 years in Cranberry Portage. He came to Neepawa in 2002 to become the principal of Hazel M Kellington School and is still there today. Al married Kelly Harrison of Flin Flon and they have three children, Danielle (university), Kailyn (gr. 10) and Jayden (gr. 5). He keeps busy following the kids from event to event and coaches some volleyball.
Michael Quesnel graduated from NACI and took a course through Red River College in Winnipeg on commercial and industrial sales and marketing and soon afterwards, moved to British Columbia. In 1989, he started the Quesnel Realty Group, under Royal Lepage, and is still involved. Michael married Tanya Candeloral, who is also involved in the company, and they have two children, Symone (gr.10) and James. (gr. 3). Michael still plays hockey in a church league, golfs, bikes, snowboards and does as much boating with the family as he can.
Barrie Willerton stayed in Neepawa for about four years after school and worked at the local pub and in Dan's men's wear store. He then moved into Winnipeg and got on with McGavin's Bread. He went to Edmonton and back to Winnipeg in 1990. Barrie married Sheena McAdam and has one daughter, Mackenzie. Barrie was transferred to British Columbia in 1998 and McGavins were bought out by Canada Bread. He’s now been with them for 27 years. The Willertons reside in Surrey, BC and enjoy their trailer out at Cultus Lake doing some wake surfing, board surfing and boating in the summers. In the winter, they billet a hockey player from the Langley Rivermen's Junior team.
Lindsay Kaspick played with the Portage Terriers while still schooling at NACI and after graduation, went to the University of Manitoba (1988). He moved to Melfort, Sk to work for Hoechst Crop Protection as a sales rep for four years, then moved to Brandon and worked at Rhone Poulenc and then to Koch Crop Protection (who bought out Simplot). He’s been there since 1996. Lindsay married Barb Lee from Neepawa and they have three children: Jordan, Tanner and Mason. He still plays a little hockey in the winter and does some golfing in the summer.
