We’ve been advised of the recent death of Ken McCasland.
Ken first joined the ACT sides in 1985, being the year The Nationals were first hosted in Canberra. Four ACT sides competed in ’85, with Ken in the Senators, being teamed up with Graham Cheeseman, Paul Hemsley, Norrie O’Leary, Gordon Pike, Eddie Rootes, Jack Thompson, Don Whitbread and others. This is where the fun, in expanded ACT sides, started. Ken was then to play in The Nationals pretty much from then through into the 2000’s.
At left is the team photo of the ACT Grand Masters Hockey Team (the 60’s) playing at The Nationals in Melbourne in 2001. At the center, to the RHS is Ken McCasland. The team included Bob Anderson (G), Cliff Beevers, Graham Cheeseman, Ken Dyer, Merv Goodridge, Phil Goosakoff, Doug Incoll, Kevin Mays, Ken McCasland, Phil Rodham, Greg Smith, Morris Trevethan and Vernon Turner. While not international, it certainly represented a fair spread of other hockey centres and towns. It is how our hockey had become and players like Ken made this happen. A fellowship of like-minded players to travel and enjoy the game.
We will miss Kenny McCasland and salute his wonderful contribution to our hockey.
