Many hockey fans know that January 26th is the day the "Great One" Wayne Gretzky was born but here in Humboldt it's also a day to be recognized.

Our very own great one, Elgar Petersen also celebrates his birthday on this day.

I have only been in Humboldt for just over five years and the same goes for being around his beloved Broncos so I never shared the bus with him or really saw him around the team that much as his age climbed but I hear stories daily.

Whether it's from my colour man Dan Torwalt who was around Elgar during his Bronco days when he played, Torwalt shared the bench with Elgar during a couple championship runs with the AA Midgets as their head coach as well.

Elgar wasn't just around the Junior "A" Broncos for four decades, he was found at minor hockey games of all ages and when the ice was out at the old Leo Parker Arena or now the Broncos home rink that boldly boasts his name, he could be seen at the ball diamonds in the shadows of the EPA.

Hundreds of players, likely thousands actually have crossed paths with him, many likely sharing a laugh or at least treasuring one moment in time.

I have three that stand out in my brief yet important brushes, one during the RBC Cup run in 2012 as I waited in the hall under the stands as I do most nights of a game outside their room. Elgar always had time to share a sugary treat from his pocket for my little man Cohen, who at that time was just two, Elgar usually had an entire Snickers or Mars bar to share and with a smile, pat on the head and Cohen was off chocolate bar in hand(the whole thing) and Elgar would simple bend over, snatch the milk crate of bottles he was carrying and make his way back down the hall like has had done so many times before.

Oddly enough I watched the Anavet Cup championship video of that year and after the dog pile and the plague and trophy presentation was complete and captain Taylor Johnson took the trophy he immediately skipped his mates and went to the bench and passed the final Anavet Cup trophy to their longtime trainer for a moment Taylor likely won't ever forget either, he is a Humboldt guy as well.

The third memory of significance came on July 17th, 2015 as the Saskatchewan hockey world came together at the EPA for the 2014 Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame induction gala, the man, the legend Elgar Petersen was enshrined forever.

450 attendees including NHL legends Wendal Clark and Tiger Williams standing, cheering, honouring Elgar and his work. A night to remember forever.

With constant health battles a life long and still fought to this today, his 81st birthday how can anyone not look up to this man.

Elgar is hockey, Elgar is sport, and best of all, Elgar is Humboldt.

Happy birthday Mr. Petersen, here's to many more!