Former Raiders coach Troy Walkington enjoys Romford return

Canadian ice hockey coach Troy Walkington took a walk down memory lane while back in Romford last weekend.

Walkington was originally brought over to the UK to work as head coach of the Romford Raiders in 1992-93, helping them to an historic 8-6 win over the Durham Wasps in only his 12th game in charge.

The two-time, defending Heineken League and play-off champions had not tasted defeat on home ice for 55 games, but were upset by Walkington’s side in a Benson & Hedges Cup group game.

Gord Jeffrey netted four times, with fellow imports Dave Whistle and Rob Stewart scoring twice apiece, as 16-year-old goalie Paul Cast held firm between the pipes.

Cast and defenceman Ben Pitchley, who also played in that unforgettable win in the North East, were joined by ex-Raiders teammates Jimmy Wonnacott, Stuart Low, Andy Gillon and Glen Moorhouse to meet up with Walkington during his holiday and talk about old times.

“We had no right to win up there. It defies belief that we pulled it off,” said Walkington, now 56.

“Paul Cast was unbelievable, he stopped everything. Anyway, they pull it back to 7-6 and pull their goalie so I called a time out.

“I told the guys to stay calm and composed because if they did this was going to be a night they’d remember for the rest of their lives.”

Raiders would finish fifth in a nine-team Division One that season to qualify for the promotion play-offs and would beat fallen giants Durham, again, at the old Rom Valley Way rink.

Jeffrey scored three times, Whistle twice, with Shaun McFadyen, Tari Suwari and Marcus Cast also on target in an 8-3 win, with the match abandoned in the 57th minute due to ill-disciplined Durham not having enough players left to take to the ice.

Walkington went on to coach Premier Division side Basingstoke, with Whistle following him, but returned to Romford as they withdrew from the British League in late 1994 and helped the club rebuild in the English League.

He led Raiders to the Division One South title in 1996-97, before going on to coach at Peterborough Pirates and Cardiff Devils – as well as work with the Great Britain men’s senior and U20 squads.

But he returned to his native Canada in 2001 to work as head coach/general manager of the Flin Flon Bombers in the Sakatchewan Junior League, then served as assistant coach at the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for 14 seasons.

Walkington helped Saskatoon Blazers to the Canadian Championship (Telus Cup) for the first time in 49 years last season, winning a bronze medal in Quebec, and was due back on the ice with the team this week on his return home.