The Town of Mattawa unveiled an honorary street name, the ‘Chick Webster Way,\u2019 on July 15 to recognize the late John \u2018Chick\u2019 Webster, a former NHL player and local sports figure<\/p>\n
The Town of Mattawa is celebrating one of its local heroes, former NHL player John \u201cChick\u201d Webster, by naming a street in his honour\u2014the Chick Webster Way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The unveiling ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 15. Local dignitaries attended, as did members of Webster\u2019s family, who helped to reveal the newly minted street sign on the corner of Hurdman Street and McConnell Street.<\/p>\n
Mattawa\u2019s mayor Raymond B\u00e9langer officiated the unveiling. \u201cWe are gathered here to honour the memory of a man who brought so much joy and beauty into our lives. Life should be celebrated, and that is exactly what we are doing today \u2013 celebrating his life, his love, and the impression he left on all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
John\u2019s son, Rob Webster, also attended the ceremonial event to honour his father. \u201cIt was nice, and I was appreciative of the mayor, Mattawa, and the council. It’s \u00a0nice to see something like this and it\u2019s a good memory when you drive into town now that you can look up and see the sign.\u201d Rob noted his son had spearheaded the campaign with the town to install the sign, and he’s grateful the town was willing to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really nice of the town to do it,\u201d Rob said.<\/p>\n
John Webster passed away peacefully in his Mattawa home in 2018 at the age of 97. He was an veteran of the Second World War having served with the 3rd Division\u2019s 13 field artillery. He was a proud member of Royal Canadian Legion, Mattawa Branch 254.<\/p>\n
He also had an impressive hockey career. Webster played junior hockey in Toronto for the Native Sons from 1937-39, then he played with five different pro and semi pro leagues; EHL, AHL, NHL, PCHL, and WHL between 1940-52. While in the NHL, he played for the New York Rangers.<\/p>\n