The story behind the composite souvenir/player stick, "AG 81 Howardzer"

Many of you know my late father, Howard Dill, as the Pumpkin King of the World and developer of the "Dill's Atlantic Giant" pumpkin variety but dad's first true love and passion was none other than hockey! Some of you may have heard about Long Pond, which is on our farm and borders Canada's oldest independent school, King's Edgehill, founded by the Loyalists in 1788. It was the boys from King's Edgehill who played on Lond Pond circa 1800 which evidence shows as the earliest form of hockey in Canada and what we proudly proclaim as the "Cradle of Hockey". Along with that, dad was an avid hockey collector from the 1940's on. Later in dad's life, before the Atlantic Giant pumpkin came around, my father was heavily involved with our local Senior Men's hockey team (Windsor Maple Leafs). He played a huge roll and was instrumental in bringing in the best of the best players from Quebec. One of which was none other than Quebec hockey legend Georges Guilbault from Windsor, Quebec. Georges and dad remained friends and kept in contact with each other for over 40 years. In 2008, Georges co founded the Sherbrooke Hockey Co. Georges presented me with a unique opportunity on customizing a hockey stick in dad's memory. So, this is where the Howardzer was born. The caliber (AG 81) I chose for this stick had to be dad's world record he set in Philadelphia back in 1981 which was referred to by many as the shot heard 'round the World. This record stood the test of times! It led to the World renowned Atlantic Giant pumpkin variety and the sport of giant pumpkin growing has blossomed worldwide ever since. As a youngster, we had many chores to do, but dad would always take a moment after chores and put me in net and fire wrist shots at me. So dad, the last wrist shot is on you! A high stick salute that I'm so humble and very honored to do for my father!

Best regards, Andrew Howard Dill