Alumni of the Mount Forest Patriots are getting set for a highly-anticipated game on October 26, 2024. The event at the Mount Forest Sports Complex will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with the opening of the beer gardens, followed by the game at 6:00 p.m. After the game, players are planning to gather at the Pats Pub for a reunion.
Johnny K Reflects on the Past and Present
Well-known to listeners of OHA Hockey on AM 920 CKNX, John Kollias, known as "Johnny K" confirms he is taking the ice for the game, admitting to CKNXNewsToday.ca that he plans to enjoy reconnecting and reflecting.
“I’m super excited. I haven’t seen some of these guys in 30 years. The year before our first championship, about 12 of us from Durham went over to play with the Patriots, and we stuck there,” he said. “We combined with some great Mount Forest players, and with Robbie Nixon and Kevin Eccles as part of the coaching staff, we built something special.”
The Patriots’ leadership at the time, including General Manager Bev Patterson and President Gordie Blahoot, played key roles in building a team culture that carried them through multiple successful seasons. Kollias emphasized the lasting impact that experience had on him and his teammates.
“We went through so much together—winning championships, losing championships. It’s what hockey is all about. The lessons we learned on the ice stayed with us off the ice too,” he said.
Hockey: A Lifelong Bond
Kollias reflected on how hockey has served as a vessel for bringing people, families, and communities together over the years.
“We all played our last playoff game and then went our separate ways. Some of us became entrepreneurs, policemen, firefighters, contractors,” he said. “Life took turns for all of us, some good, some bad. But that bond we built on the ice—that’s still there.”
He also acknowledged how the game itself has changed since his playing days, though much has remained the same.
“What I love about hockey is how it connects generations. Some of these guys have kids playing now, starting their own journeys. Time flies, and then you look back—it’s been 30 years, and now we’re getting together on a Saturday in Mount Forest,” he said.
Reunion Highlights
While the game will be a highlight of the night, for Kollias, it’s the opportunity to reconnect with old friends that matters most.
“Out of the 30 guys coming, I’ve kept in touch with about 10. But there are guys like Mike Hastie and Greg and Chad Patterson, who I haven’t seen in years. I’m looking forward to seeing them and their families,” he said.
As the alumni take the ice, there’s sure to be some curiosity about how their skills hold up after 30 years.
“We’ll see how we look compared to the mid-90s,” Kollias joked.
Following the alumni game, the current Patriots will take on the Walkerton Capitals. Puck-drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.