Former Morden resident David Rabinovitch has graciously reintroduced a significant piece of local hockey history to the community. The Tip Top Trophy, originally bestowed upon the Morden Hockey Club for their victory in the Southern Manitoba Championship in 1939, was recently presented to Mark Thiessen, General Manager of the Morden Bombers, and his brother Andy by Rabinovitch.
Rabinovitch has conveyed in a written statement that the trophy resurfaced during the cleaning of his father’s former establishment in Morden back in 1997. The shop, Rabinovitch Bros. Clothing and Footwear, had been in operation since 1927.
Mark Thiessen, who had personal ties to Tip Top Clothing, fondly recollected his experiences at the store, including acquiring his graduation tuxedo there. He expressed his enthusiasm at the privilege of accepting the esteemed trophy on behalf of the Morden Bombers and underscored the importance of unearthing Morden’s hockey legacy tracing back to the 1930s.
With an almost five-decade involvement in Morden hockey, Thiessen intends to safeguard and showcase the trophy in an arena trophy case, emphasizing the significance of acknowledging and commemorating the community’s rich hockey heritage. He also noted the positive reception from other executive members of the team upon seeing the trophy and their recognition of prominent figures associated with the local hockey history.
Rabinovitch has conveyed his satisfaction in connecting with Andy and Mark Thiessen and his confidence in their ability to protect the Tip Top Trophy. He is hopeful that the return of the trophy will inspire and motivate the current players of the Morden Bombers.
The return of the Tip Top Trophy to Morden is a heartwarming reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating local history. It serves as a tribute to the early days of hockey in the community and as a source of motivation for current and future generations of hockey enthusiasts in Morden. By honouring the past, the Morden Bombers and the entire community are keeping the spirit of hockey alive and thriving.