Like others, I have many lasting memories from the John Glas Fieldhouse - most of them related to hockey. Over the years we saw great games and the finest of players. We've seen state champions, national champions, professionals and Olympians. But for me, my fondest memories are owed and attached to one player in particular - Gary Sargent.
I remember a high school game in 1969 when Warroad came to town with the Great Henry Boucha - not only the best team and player in the state, but some argued, "the best ever." The rising young star on the Bemidji Lumberjacks at the time, was ninth grader, Gary Sargent - who was already in his second year playing for the varsity.
The excitement in the Fieldhouse that night was something new. It was different. There was an electricity of "Greatness" in the building - and I think it was more than just two young stars with big futures ahead of them facing one another. There was something else, an anticipation perhaps, maybe of more to come, or of other big moments and of future "greats" in coming years - of which, of course, there would be many.
By '71 and '72 Gary Sargent was a high school super star. He was known to play entire games for the Lumberjacks without leaving the ice - something most fans had never seen in the John Glas Fieldhouse, and certainly something they would never see again.
"Sarge," as he became known, was a high scoring offensive defenseman who was capable of controlling, not only complete offensive rushes, but it seemed at times, entire games. He was an exceptional playmaker, usually tallying more assists than goals, yet simultaneously, he was the ultimate defenseman. Some nights he appeared to block as many shots as our own goaltender - easily batting down slapshots with his glove, handling the puck as if it were merely a ping-pong ball.
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His authority on the ice, his physical presence, his command of the game were nothing less than phenomenal.
To many fans - and especially to kids - Gary Sargent was a larger than life figure. He was truly a hometown hero. He was a great, great star.
Often, after having played the entire night without leaving the ice and the game firmly in hand, coaches Smalley and Grillo would pull Sarge from the game with seconds remaining, just prior sometimes to a final face off.
I remember on a couple of occasions the John Glas Fieldhouse rising to it's feet in a clamoring ovation as Gary Sargent skated off the ice.
Mark Thorson
Bemidji
Editors note
The Bemidji Pioneer will publish a special section Feb. 17 filled with stories, statistics and photos about the John Glas Fieldhouse.
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The Bemidji State University men's and women's hockey teams will play their final games in The Glas Feb. 19-20. The teams will move to the new Bemidji Regional Event Center next season.
We will take a look at the history of the building, which opened in 1967. We will feature some of the greatest hockey players and games, plus other events such as high school graduations, trade shows and concerts.
We invite our readers to share their memories of The Glas.
You can either e-mail them to sports@bemidjipioneer.com or share them on our Web site: www.bemidjipioneer.com .
