SPORTS FLASHBACK 1992: Dugald teen is set to mind NHL net

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This article was published 16/04/2023 (986 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A roomful of trophies and two World Hockey gold medals as a member of Canada’s junior team, would indicate a 19-year-old Dugald netminder, drafted by the Calgary Flames, is ready to make his NHL debut.

A philosophical Trevor Kidd returned from a disappointing trip to the World Junior Hockey Championships in Germany where the Canadian team had a poor showing in their bid win a third consecutive gold medal.

“You can’t win them all, but you can learn from your mistakes and do better next time.”

It was the third time the goaltender joined the Canadian team to compete in the world championships. Kidd played a prominent role in gold medal victories in 1990 and in 1991, when he was a last minute choice to join the team.

Kidd is presently playing for the Canadian Olympic team and said he had not expected to be drafted by the NHL

Kidd, like the rest of the players, went to Germany with hopes and dreams of a third consecutive gold medal, but it never became reality. Their first game was a win – just barely. From there it went straight downhill and the team finished a disappointing sixth with two wins, three losses and two draws.

The Commonwealth of Independent States won gold, while Sweden won silver and the United States took home bronze.

The day the tournament began, Dec. 26, 1991, the Soviet Union formally dissolved. In the week that followed, the team continued to play as the Soviet Union, but Jan 1, 1992, the team was renamed the Commonwealth of Independent States. Three players on the team, two from Latvia and one from Lithuania, were from nations not part of the Commonwealth.

This would be the final appearance at the World Juniors for Kidd, as he would not be eligible for next year’s Under 20 Canadian team.

Several Canadian players suffered from the flu during the tournament, including the 19-year-old goaltender.

“Maybe sickness had something to do with it, but we didn’t play good as a team, that’s the bottom line,” Kidd said.

Trevor Kidd always wanted to be a goalie. Wondering why he chose this responsible position, he remarked: “I know if I make a mistake it’s on the scoreboard – but if the goalie does right he is a hero, so I always worked on that.”

He started with the Oakbank team when he was seven years old. At nine, he played with the East End Wings in Transcona and at age 11 he was part of the Steinbach Millers second tier team. While playing with the Eastman AAA Midgets, he earned a Western Hockey League tryout when he was 16 years old.

Kidd tended goal for the Brandon Wheat Kings before being traded to the Spokane Chiefs.

After sweeping the Lethbridge Hurricanes to win the Western Hockey League title, Kidd made 30 saves in the Memorial Cup final as the Chiefs beat the Drummondville Voltigeurs 5-1.

The walls in Trevor Kidd’s room are covered with medals, plaques and photos. All available shelf space is occupied by trophies.

During 1991, Kidd played with the Olympic team in France, Switzerland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Finland and USA. At the end of January, he will leave again for Switzerland, and Feb. 6 the Olympic team will play in France.

With files from Marion Clemons