And just like that, 55 years later...

by Shawn Lackie

In the late 60s/early 70s, a group of deep-thinking hockey minds got together and decided it was time for Port Perry to have a Junior Hockey Club. The C designation fit best, given the size of the town and the fact that their opposition, for the most part, would be communities of a similar size. So off they went.

In 1971, the Central Ontario Junior C Hockey circuit was formed with six teams taking part. After Port Perry was granted admission to this group, they decided 1972 would be their inaugural year. Sponsor? Huh? Who would foot the bill?

Enter Flamingo Pastries. A very successful local business story with a great history. Ken and Marge Jackson had run a restaurant in downtown Port Perry for years called the Flamingo. One of their mainstay desserts was a butter tart whose recipe had been in the family for years. The Jacksons turned that sweet treat into a local empire, hiring thousands of people over the years and creating a ton of goodwill. So it only stood to reason they would step up and be the first sponsor. But for 50 years? Oh yeah. That must be some sponsorship record for longevity.

For the first six years, the team was called the Flamingos. Then they changed the name to Mojacks. Suffice it to say, more than a few people asked what the heck a Mojack was. It was an abbreviation of Mother Jackson’s Open Kitchens, which provided some of the best meat pies you could find anywhere. MOther JACKson = MOJACK. Bingo.

Back to the Flamingos. The club started in the 1972/73 season with eight other teams. Cobourg, Port Hope, Lindsay, Markham, Penetang, Sutton, Oak Ridges and Bowmanville rounded out the League roster. The Flamingos did well in their first year, finishing in fifth place with a 31-12-16-3 record for 29 points. Not bad for a first-year club.

So, why did the Jackson family want to step up and sponsor the team in the first place? Ken’s son Dave Jackson explained, “I recall someone contacting Dad to sponsor a Jr. C hockey team, possibly. He looked at it as a great opportunity to sponsor and support this new team representing Port Perry.” And the Flamingos were born. That lasted for 50 years! That alone is incredible.

Dave also had the honour of playing for the Flamingos in that first season. Some good times for sure. And Dave agreed. “I was very proud to be playing on the Flamingo Pastries Jr. C team that my family's business was sponsoring.”

As well he should. Dave played a few seasons for the Flamingos. At the end of the 2020/21 season, the Jackson family felt it was time for a change. They stepped away from the sponsorship, and Lake Scugog Lumber stepped in.

Scugog Lumber had a great history of its own. Multi-generational and a fixture on the local scene for almost 100 years. Sam Griffen founded the company in 1931. A long-time supporter of local initiatives, sporting and otherwise, the Griffen family stepped in to carry on the fine tradition of local sponsorship.

Lake Scugog Lumber President Ian Griffen explained why they filled the gap. “Taking over the sponsorship was an easy choice after the Jackson’s run was finished. As one of the older businesses in Scugog, our community and the hockey club meant a lot to the family. So the choice was easy,” Mr. Griffen said, adding, “Local sponsorship gets our name in the community and gives us a chance to give back by bringing top-notch junior hockey to Port Perry at an affordable price. Pro sports has a definite affordability problem, so it is great for our local youth, and it is something to do on a Sunday.”

Ian, Susan, and their family have been huge fans of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Buffalo Bills for years, so it only stands to reason they would be right at the front of the line to sponsor one of the best-known local sports teams. These are the people who are the lifeblood of the local sporting scene. And they DO have an appreciation for all that goes on behind the scenes: “I have not been directly involved with Club Management. However, I do meet with management regularly. The board and management team do a great job ensuring every detail is taken care of. Our players are definitely number one!” said Ian.

The really cool thing was the name didn’t change drastically. They went from Mojacks to Lumberjacks overnight in a seamless transition. How slick was that? They can still be called the Jacks. It makes it easier for fans, and they don’t have to explain what a Lumberjack is. Too bad they still didn’t have wood hockey sticks.