I'm not sure I said much about the event held at the McMenamin's Kennedy school that was hosted by OHS, Holy Names Heritage Center and McMenamins on Tuesday the 26th of July. I'll try to break it down for you here.
The event started with me(Dan Schaefer) arriving early to get set up and finding a few people. You don't always know how many people will show up so you don't plan for it to be that big. One by one people filed in and before long the audience filled a good share of the room. Norm Johnson showed up a few minuted before the start of the event and quickly attracted fans who had come to see him and have him sign autographs (in which he was happy to do). In fact, he started telling stories early, but that was the warm up that would be to come. Not long after Jimmy McCloud arrived and agreed to do an answer and question talk with Norm after the close of the film.
After History Pub staff talked about their upcoming events I spoke for about an half hour on how I put together the film and and the series of events that led up to it. Then Norm got up their and really wowed the crowd with his stories about his time with the team. We then screened the 26 minute version of the film Kings of the Road: The Story of the Portland Buckaroos.
As always the crowd for the Buckaroos is really quite special in that they are still dedicated fans to this day and will turn up at any event that hosts them. The event ended with a Q & A that had a few fans competing for who was the best fan I think. That's How I remember it anyway. Jimmy and Norm took questions and the fans continued to hang around to talk with them both. A great event!
More about the specific stories later!
Below if the notice that appeared on-line about the event.
History Pub
McMenamins Kennedy School in Northeast Portland
In 1959 the fate of Portland's hockey team was in doubt. With only a handful of players returning and the press denouncing the team as the worst team ever fielded in the league, all they could do was skate. Kings of the Road, a 26-minute documentary film, tells the story of the Portland Buckaroos and their remarkable rise as champions and division leaders year after year from 1960-1974. Join us for this lively presentation and film screening with Dan Schaefer, Director of Kings of the Road, and a panel of several former Buckaroos. History Pub is a free event sponsored by OHS, Holy Names Heritage Center, and McMenamins, and as always canned food will be accepted for the Oregon Food Bank.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, October 25, 2010
Kings of the Road available nationwide!
Kings of the Road: The Story of the Portland Buckaroos is now available nationwide as of October 14th through many on-line stores. Blockbuster, Walmart.com, and HMV are among the many sites set up for purchasing both Mania (the Trailblazer documentary) and Kings of the Road.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Kings of the Road is on OPB's Open Lens on August 16th!
OREGON LENS Spotlights Northwest Independent Filmmakers
Posted August 2, 2010
Promotional Contact
Carol Howard
503.977.7751
choward@opb.org
Oregon Public Broadcasting brings indie-theater directly into your home over five nights this month as the work of some of the Pacific Northwest's most talented independent producers is showcased on OREGON LENS August 16-20 at 10pm.
"We've some exceptional films in season 12," said Steve Amen, executive producer and host of OREGON LENS. "Oregon is rising fast on the independent filmmaking scene. I've had the pleasure of teaching a course in filmmaking at PSU over the past couple of years, and I continue to be amazed by the talent in our community," said Amen. "OREGON LENS provides viewers who may not have access to indie theaters in their communities a great opportunity to see the kind of innovative filmmaking for which this area is becoming known."
Monday kicks off the festival with two documentaries: "Kings of the Road” (Produced by Dan Schaefer) tells the story of the Portland Buckaroos professional hockey team. In 1959, with its future in doubt -- a handful of players, an uncompleted arena, and the press denouncing the team as the worst ever fielded in the league -- all they could do was skate. Inconceivably, they eventually rise as division leaders and champions, winning more games than any other team in professional hockey from 1960-74. Next, “Every War Has Two Losers” (Haydn Reiss) uses the journals of poet and conscientious objector William Stafford to present another point of view on war and its ability to create security.
This year, one night is devoted exclusively to short animated films. On Tuesday, August 17, humorous stories, music videos, sci-fi and poignant messages are depicted in a variety of features running from a few seconds to several minutes. Opening the evening is “operation: FISH" (Jeff Riley) which took seven years and the help of many artists from the Portland animation scene, to produce.
On Wednesday night, several short films headline the night, including: “Last Night, Long Ago” (Scott Ballard) about a woman preparing to move and her memories of the place she's leaving; “Between Night” (Scott Ballard) which shows how a rare find by a street sweeper leads to a break from routine; and “Reception,” (C.K. Lichenstein II) an unsettling story of a woman who wakes up injured, confused and lost in the woods and makes a desperate phone call to the only person she can get a hold of -- a man who wants to help her and yet seems to know more than he's letting on. "I really enjoyed these short films," said Amen. "The stories are great and the cinematography exceptional."
Thursday night stay tuned for more short documentaries. “Fumiko Hayashida The Woman Behind the Symbol” (Lucy Ostrander) looks at Japanese internment camps during WWII. “Enter the Beard” (Scott Ballard) is Matt Lawrence’s documentary about the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. And the “Adreneline Film Project" (Kate Brown) is a behind-the-scenes look at the University of Oregon's intensive narrative film production workshop in which university students and local filmmakers write, shoot and edit a film in just 72 hours. "Hook It and Book It" (Rebecca Toews) looks at "repoman" Jay Gates line of work.
Friday's finale includes two short documentaries: “Silent Conversation,” (Elizabeth Weissenborn) a beautifully shot film profiling two Argentine tango dancers and their relationship with the dance, and “Pushing It” (Elizabeth Weissenborn) -- a conversation with a motorcycle high-speed racer. The evening and our series concludes with, “Know Your Stuff: What’s in a cup of coffee” (Wen Lee). This behind-the scenes look at production of coffee is followed by a trip to Costa Rica in search of a coffee adventure.
About OPB
OPB is the largest cultural and education institution in the region, delivering excellence in public broadcasting to 1.5 million people each week through television, radio and the Internet. Widely recognized as a national leader in the public broadcasting arena, OPB is a major contributor to the program schedule that serves the entire country. OPB is one of the most-used and most-supported public broadcasting services in the country and is generously supported by 120,000 contributors.
Posted August 2, 2010
Promotional Contact
Carol Howard
503.977.7751
choward@opb.org
Oregon Public Broadcasting brings indie-theater directly into your home over five nights this month as the work of some of the Pacific Northwest's most talented independent producers is showcased on OREGON LENS August 16-20 at 10pm.
"We've some exceptional films in season 12," said Steve Amen, executive producer and host of OREGON LENS. "Oregon is rising fast on the independent filmmaking scene. I've had the pleasure of teaching a course in filmmaking at PSU over the past couple of years, and I continue to be amazed by the talent in our community," said Amen. "OREGON LENS provides viewers who may not have access to indie theaters in their communities a great opportunity to see the kind of innovative filmmaking for which this area is becoming known."
Monday kicks off the festival with two documentaries: "Kings of the Road” (Produced by Dan Schaefer) tells the story of the Portland Buckaroos professional hockey team. In 1959, with its future in doubt -- a handful of players, an uncompleted arena, and the press denouncing the team as the worst ever fielded in the league -- all they could do was skate. Inconceivably, they eventually rise as division leaders and champions, winning more games than any other team in professional hockey from 1960-74. Next, “Every War Has Two Losers” (Haydn Reiss) uses the journals of poet and conscientious objector William Stafford to present another point of view on war and its ability to create security.
This year, one night is devoted exclusively to short animated films. On Tuesday, August 17, humorous stories, music videos, sci-fi and poignant messages are depicted in a variety of features running from a few seconds to several minutes. Opening the evening is “operation: FISH" (Jeff Riley) which took seven years and the help of many artists from the Portland animation scene, to produce.
On Wednesday night, several short films headline the night, including: “Last Night, Long Ago” (Scott Ballard) about a woman preparing to move and her memories of the place she's leaving; “Between Night” (Scott Ballard) which shows how a rare find by a street sweeper leads to a break from routine; and “Reception,” (C.K. Lichenstein II) an unsettling story of a woman who wakes up injured, confused and lost in the woods and makes a desperate phone call to the only person she can get a hold of -- a man who wants to help her and yet seems to know more than he's letting on. "I really enjoyed these short films," said Amen. "The stories are great and the cinematography exceptional."
Thursday night stay tuned for more short documentaries. “Fumiko Hayashida The Woman Behind the Symbol” (Lucy Ostrander) looks at Japanese internment camps during WWII. “Enter the Beard” (Scott Ballard) is Matt Lawrence’s documentary about the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. And the “Adreneline Film Project" (Kate Brown) is a behind-the-scenes look at the University of Oregon's intensive narrative film production workshop in which university students and local filmmakers write, shoot and edit a film in just 72 hours. "Hook It and Book It" (Rebecca Toews) looks at "repoman" Jay Gates line of work.
Friday's finale includes two short documentaries: “Silent Conversation,” (Elizabeth Weissenborn) a beautifully shot film profiling two Argentine tango dancers and their relationship with the dance, and “Pushing It” (Elizabeth Weissenborn) -- a conversation with a motorcycle high-speed racer. The evening and our series concludes with, “Know Your Stuff: What’s in a cup of coffee” (Wen Lee). This behind-the scenes look at production of coffee is followed by a trip to Costa Rica in search of a coffee adventure.
About OPB
OPB is the largest cultural and education institution in the region, delivering excellence in public broadcasting to 1.5 million people each week through television, radio and the Internet. Widely recognized as a national leader in the public broadcasting arena, OPB is a major contributor to the program schedule that serves the entire country. OPB is one of the most-used and most-supported public broadcasting services in the country and is generously supported by 120,000 contributors.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Extended Edition of Kings of the Road Available now!
The Extended edition of Kings of the Road is available now at www.filmbaby.com. 71 minutes were added to bring KOTR to feature length and add over 20 new interviews with former players and management associated with the team from it beginning in 1960 through 1974. The DVD also includes newly found audio games from 1966 and 1972 and a revised photo gallery. The descriptive text was written by former team assistant Jerry Farmer who worked with the team when it moved to the Pacific Coast League briefly in 1975-6. Below are 4 versions of the text:
Kings of the Road
Synopsis A
Portland, Oregon, a professional ice hockey hot bed? Yes, during a marvelous 14 year run, Portland’s Cinderella love affair with professional ice hockey dominated the sports scene in only the 27th largest sports market in the country. Kings of the Road tells the story about how the Portland Buckaroos captivated a city and how the loyal fans responded by continuously selling out the 10,500 seat Memorial Coliseum. Award winning producer, Dan Schaefer, has contributed his skills and artistry in an extremely entertaining documentary that highlights the Buckaroos’ eventual rise as champions and division leaders in the highly competitive Western Hockey League, a league second only to the National Hockey League. During this Cinderella notch in sports history, no team, including any NHL team, won more games than the Portland Buckaroos.
Synopsis B
The Montreal Canadians dominated professional ice hockey during the 1960’s but there was a team way out West in Portland, Oregon, that dominated the sport even more. With a brand new 10,500 seat state of the art facility waiting for a tenant, Portland landed its first professional sports franchise, the Portland Buckaroos. The local media scoffed at this rag tag bunch of players and mocked the sport of ice hockey. The fans didn’t, however, and they came out in droves, packing out the Coliseum to record “sell outs” which caught the eye of the National Hockey League. Kings of the Road exquisitely tells the story of a cities Cinderella love affair with its home town team and how the Buckaroos embraced their fans, an affair that has lasted for more than 50 years.
Synopsis C
“What, a professional ice hockey team out here in Portland, Oregon?” That’s what the local media said but they soon had to eat their words. Kings of the Road entertainingly, and factually, tells the story of a team, the Portland Buckaroos, and how they rose to dominance as league champions and division leaders year after year from 1960-1974. Director Dan Schaefer has artfully, and with great detail, brought back to the screen those Cinderella years when going to a Buckaroos game was “the thing to do” in Portland. No other venue dominated Portland’s entertainment scene as did going to the packed out Memorial Coliseum for a hockey game with over ten thousand other rabid fans. This documentary will put your mind into rewind and will bring back those wonderful years when the Buckaroos dominated the sport of professional ice hockey, and yes, it was in Portland, Oregon.
Synopsis D
What, the Portland Buckaroos won more games, championships and league titles than the world famous Montreal Canadians did? Award winning Director/Producer Dan Schaefer takes you through those Cinderella years where Portland, Oregon’s professional hockey team dominated the sport. See first hand how the team, and their rabid fans, embraced each other in a manner never equaled elsewhere and why so many ex-professional hockey players now call Portland home. No doubt will be left in your mind as to why the National Hockey league coveted Portland as an expansion city. Through vintage video, and player interviews, you’ll relive the nostalgia, and euphoria, of how the 1960-74 Portland Buckaroos forever changed a city and the sport of professional ice hockey. To this day, they are icons
Kings of the Road
Synopsis A
Portland, Oregon, a professional ice hockey hot bed? Yes, during a marvelous 14 year run, Portland’s Cinderella love affair with professional ice hockey dominated the sports scene in only the 27th largest sports market in the country. Kings of the Road tells the story about how the Portland Buckaroos captivated a city and how the loyal fans responded by continuously selling out the 10,500 seat Memorial Coliseum. Award winning producer, Dan Schaefer, has contributed his skills and artistry in an extremely entertaining documentary that highlights the Buckaroos’ eventual rise as champions and division leaders in the highly competitive Western Hockey League, a league second only to the National Hockey League. During this Cinderella notch in sports history, no team, including any NHL team, won more games than the Portland Buckaroos.
Synopsis B
The Montreal Canadians dominated professional ice hockey during the 1960’s but there was a team way out West in Portland, Oregon, that dominated the sport even more. With a brand new 10,500 seat state of the art facility waiting for a tenant, Portland landed its first professional sports franchise, the Portland Buckaroos. The local media scoffed at this rag tag bunch of players and mocked the sport of ice hockey. The fans didn’t, however, and they came out in droves, packing out the Coliseum to record “sell outs” which caught the eye of the National Hockey League. Kings of the Road exquisitely tells the story of a cities Cinderella love affair with its home town team and how the Buckaroos embraced their fans, an affair that has lasted for more than 50 years.
Synopsis C
“What, a professional ice hockey team out here in Portland, Oregon?” That’s what the local media said but they soon had to eat their words. Kings of the Road entertainingly, and factually, tells the story of a team, the Portland Buckaroos, and how they rose to dominance as league champions and division leaders year after year from 1960-1974. Director Dan Schaefer has artfully, and with great detail, brought back to the screen those Cinderella years when going to a Buckaroos game was “the thing to do” in Portland. No other venue dominated Portland’s entertainment scene as did going to the packed out Memorial Coliseum for a hockey game with over ten thousand other rabid fans. This documentary will put your mind into rewind and will bring back those wonderful years when the Buckaroos dominated the sport of professional ice hockey, and yes, it was in Portland, Oregon.
Synopsis D
What, the Portland Buckaroos won more games, championships and league titles than the world famous Montreal Canadians did? Award winning Director/Producer Dan Schaefer takes you through those Cinderella years where Portland, Oregon’s professional hockey team dominated the sport. See first hand how the team, and their rabid fans, embraced each other in a manner never equaled elsewhere and why so many ex-professional hockey players now call Portland home. No doubt will be left in your mind as to why the National Hockey league coveted Portland as an expansion city. Through vintage video, and player interviews, you’ll relive the nostalgia, and euphoria, of how the 1960-74 Portland Buckaroos forever changed a city and the sport of professional ice hockey. To this day, they are icons
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Portland Buckaroos receive documentary treatment
Portland Buckaroos receive documentary treatment; film airs Wednesday
by Scott Sepich, special to The Oregonian
Monday August 24, 2009, 3:29 PM
Portland's original sports dynasty is finally getting its due.
The Western Hockey League's Buckaroos, who ruled the ice at Memorial Coliseum from 1960 to 1974, have been celebrated over the years through tributes, reunions and, most recently, a permanent banner.
But Wednesday night, the Buckaroos legacy will get another lift when a 90-minute documentary about the team premieres at the Portland Art Museum's Northwest Film Center at 7 p.m. The screening is open to the public.
"Kings of the Road" is Portland-based director Dan Schaefer's look at the rich history of the Buckaroos, from their shocking Lester Patrick Cup championship in their first year of existence, to the decline and eventual demise of the WHL in 1974. Schaefer mixes archival photos and film footage with interviews with former players such as Connie Madigan, Don Head and Andy Hebenton.
"They were the most successful professional team in Oregon's history," Schaefer said of the Buckaroos, who won three league championships and finished in first place in their division in eight of their first 11 years. "They were so vital and important at that time, and it's important to preserve that."
Although the film might appeal more to nostalgic fans eager for a glimpse of the past, Schaefer said fans of all ages will take something away.
"Hockey has an image as a rough, rowdy sport," he said. "But these guys are such super examples to hold up to people in this generation."
Schaefer first entertained the idea of a Buckaroos film while he was making "Mania," a documentary about the history of the Trail Blazers. As he interviewed Blazers founder Harry Glickman, Schaefer found that Glickman had just as many good stories about the hockey team he had started a decade before the founding of the Blazers.
Eventually, Schaefer was introduced to Buckaroos collector and historian Scott Petterson, and they discussed collaborating on a film. Petterson, who owns the team's trademark, said he would do whatever it took to make it happen.
Most of the photos and footage in the film is from Petterson's collection. He also used his personal relationships with many of the players to set up interviews for Schaefer.
Portland might be a rarity as a pro hockey city in that many players who played for the Buckaroos decided to make the city their home when they finished their playing careers.
"The nucleus of all those great teams is still literally right here in Portland, and it really helped in getting this film made," Petterson said.
The reward for Petterson is not just getting to show off his collection to fans in Portland, but to help honor a part of Oregon's history.
"These guys were loved just like the Blazers in their glory years," Petterson said. "They're getting up there in age, so my goal has always been to keep their memory alive forever, and a film like this helps to do that."
Petterson also notes that the Portland Winterhawks, a junior hockey team, have taken an active role in the production of the film and in promoting the Buckaroos' history.
"Our feeling is that the Buckaroos are an important part of the hockey heritage here," Winterhawks president Doug Piper said. "It's in our best interest to help people understand how important hockey has been in this city."
Piper, Petterson and some of the players featured in the film are expected to attend Wednesday's screening. Schaefer will introduce the film.
"Sports help form the common bond among all the people who live here," Schaefer said. "I'm happy to be able to show what this team meant to Portland."
-- Scott Sepich; sports@news.oregonian.com
by Scott Sepich, special to The Oregonian
Monday August 24, 2009, 3:29 PM
Portland's original sports dynasty is finally getting its due.
The Western Hockey League's Buckaroos, who ruled the ice at Memorial Coliseum from 1960 to 1974, have been celebrated over the years through tributes, reunions and, most recently, a permanent banner.
But Wednesday night, the Buckaroos legacy will get another lift when a 90-minute documentary about the team premieres at the Portland Art Museum's Northwest Film Center at 7 p.m. The screening is open to the public.
"Kings of the Road" is Portland-based director Dan Schaefer's look at the rich history of the Buckaroos, from their shocking Lester Patrick Cup championship in their first year of existence, to the decline and eventual demise of the WHL in 1974. Schaefer mixes archival photos and film footage with interviews with former players such as Connie Madigan, Don Head and Andy Hebenton.
"They were the most successful professional team in Oregon's history," Schaefer said of the Buckaroos, who won three league championships and finished in first place in their division in eight of their first 11 years. "They were so vital and important at that time, and it's important to preserve that."
Although the film might appeal more to nostalgic fans eager for a glimpse of the past, Schaefer said fans of all ages will take something away.
"Hockey has an image as a rough, rowdy sport," he said. "But these guys are such super examples to hold up to people in this generation."
Schaefer first entertained the idea of a Buckaroos film while he was making "Mania," a documentary about the history of the Trail Blazers. As he interviewed Blazers founder Harry Glickman, Schaefer found that Glickman had just as many good stories about the hockey team he had started a decade before the founding of the Blazers.
Eventually, Schaefer was introduced to Buckaroos collector and historian Scott Petterson, and they discussed collaborating on a film. Petterson, who owns the team's trademark, said he would do whatever it took to make it happen.
Most of the photos and footage in the film is from Petterson's collection. He also used his personal relationships with many of the players to set up interviews for Schaefer.
Portland might be a rarity as a pro hockey city in that many players who played for the Buckaroos decided to make the city their home when they finished their playing careers.
"The nucleus of all those great teams is still literally right here in Portland, and it really helped in getting this film made," Petterson said.
The reward for Petterson is not just getting to show off his collection to fans in Portland, but to help honor a part of Oregon's history.
"These guys were loved just like the Blazers in their glory years," Petterson said. "They're getting up there in age, so my goal has always been to keep their memory alive forever, and a film like this helps to do that."
Petterson also notes that the Portland Winterhawks, a junior hockey team, have taken an active role in the production of the film and in promoting the Buckaroos' history.
"Our feeling is that the Buckaroos are an important part of the hockey heritage here," Winterhawks president Doug Piper said. "It's in our best interest to help people understand how important hockey has been in this city."
Piper, Petterson and some of the players featured in the film are expected to attend Wednesday's screening. Schaefer will introduce the film.
"Sports help form the common bond among all the people who live here," Schaefer said. "I'm happy to be able to show what this team meant to Portland."
-- Scott Sepich; sports@news.oregonian.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
KOTR: Screening at Whitsell Auditorium
Kings of the Road
When: Wed., Aug. 26, 7 p.m.
Phone: 221-1156
Price: $8
Have you ever seen that movie Hoop Dreams, where inner-city kids have big dreams of playing in the NBA? Well, Kings of the Road is just like that, only instead of inner-city kids, it's Canadian professional athletes, and instead of basketball, they play hockey! Before we had the Trail Blazers, Portland's sports heroes were the Buckaroos, and they were winners.
Northwest Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium
o Downtown 1219 SW Park
o phone 221-1156
When: Wed., Aug. 26, 7 p.m.
Phone: 221-1156
Price: $8
Have you ever seen that movie Hoop Dreams, where inner-city kids have big dreams of playing in the NBA? Well, Kings of the Road is just like that, only instead of inner-city kids, it's Canadian professional athletes, and instead of basketball, they play hockey! Before we had the Trail Blazers, Portland's sports heroes were the Buckaroos, and they were winners.
Northwest Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium
o Downtown 1219 SW Park
o phone 221-1156
Kings of the Road: Extended Version to be screened!
Portland Buckaroos receive documentary treatment; film airs Wednesday
by Scott Sepich, special to The Oregonian
Monday August 24, 2009, 3:29 PM
Portland's original sports dynasty is finally getting its due.
The Western Hockey League's Buckaroos, who ruled the ice at Memorial Coliseum from 1960 to 1974, have been celebrated over the years through tributes, reunions and, most recently, a permanent banner.
But Wednesday night, the Buckaroos legacy will get another lift when a 90-minute documentary about the team premieres at the Portland Art Museum's Northwest Film Center at 7 p.m. The screening is open to the public.
"Kings of the Road" is Portland-based director Dan Schaefer's look at the rich history of the Buckaroos, from their shocking Lester Patrick Cup championship in their first year of existence, to the decline and eventual demise of the WHL in 1974. Schaefer mixes archival photos and film footage with interviews with former players such as Connie Madigan, Don Head and Andy Hebenton.
"They were the most successful professional team in Oregon's history," Schaefer said of the Buckaroos, who won three league championships and finished in first place in their division in eight of their first 11 years. "They were so vital and important at that time, and it's important to preserve that."
Although the film might appeal more to nostalgic fans eager for a glimpse of the past, Schaefer said fans of all ages will take something away.
"Hockey has an image as a rough, rowdy sport," he said. "But these guys are such super examples to hold up to people in this generation."
Schaefer first entertained the idea of a Buckaroos film while he was making "Mania," a documentary about the history of the Trail Blazers. As he interviewed Blazers founder Harry Glickman, Schaefer found that Glickman had just as many good stories about the hockey team he had started a decade before the founding of the Blazers.
Eventually, Schaefer was introduced to Buckaroos collector and historian Scott Petterson, and they discussed collaborating on a film. Petterson, who owns the team's trademark, said he would do whatever it took to make it happen.
Most of the photos and footage in the film is from Petterson's collection. He also used his personal relationships with many of the players to set up interviews for Schaefer.
Portland might be a rarity as a pro hockey city in that many players who played for the Buckaroos decided to make the city their home when they finished their playing careers.
"The nucleus of all those great teams is still literally right here in Portland, and it really helped in getting this film made," Petterson said.
The reward for Petterson is not just getting to show off his collection to fans in Portland, but to help honor a part of Oregon's history.
"These guys were loved just like the Blazers in their glory years," Petterson said. "They're getting up there in age, so my goal has always been to keep their memory alive forever, and a film like this helps to do that."
Petterson also notes that the Portland Winterhawks, a junior hockey team, have taken an active role in the production of the film and in promoting the Buckaroos' history.
"Our feeling is that the Buckaroos are an important part of the hockey heritage here," Winterhawks president Doug Piper said. "It's in our best interest to help people understand how important hockey has been in this city."
Piper, Petterson and some of the players featured in the film are expected to attend Wednesday's screening. Schaefer will introduce the film.
"Sports help form the common bond among all the people who live here," Schaefer said. "I'm happy to be able to show what this team meant to Portland."
-- Scott Sepich; sports@news.oregonian.com
by Scott Sepich, special to The Oregonian
Monday August 24, 2009, 3:29 PM
Portland's original sports dynasty is finally getting its due.
The Western Hockey League's Buckaroos, who ruled the ice at Memorial Coliseum from 1960 to 1974, have been celebrated over the years through tributes, reunions and, most recently, a permanent banner.
But Wednesday night, the Buckaroos legacy will get another lift when a 90-minute documentary about the team premieres at the Portland Art Museum's Northwest Film Center at 7 p.m. The screening is open to the public.
"Kings of the Road" is Portland-based director Dan Schaefer's look at the rich history of the Buckaroos, from their shocking Lester Patrick Cup championship in their first year of existence, to the decline and eventual demise of the WHL in 1974. Schaefer mixes archival photos and film footage with interviews with former players such as Connie Madigan, Don Head and Andy Hebenton.
"They were the most successful professional team in Oregon's history," Schaefer said of the Buckaroos, who won three league championships and finished in first place in their division in eight of their first 11 years. "They were so vital and important at that time, and it's important to preserve that."
Although the film might appeal more to nostalgic fans eager for a glimpse of the past, Schaefer said fans of all ages will take something away.
"Hockey has an image as a rough, rowdy sport," he said. "But these guys are such super examples to hold up to people in this generation."
Schaefer first entertained the idea of a Buckaroos film while he was making "Mania," a documentary about the history of the Trail Blazers. As he interviewed Blazers founder Harry Glickman, Schaefer found that Glickman had just as many good stories about the hockey team he had started a decade before the founding of the Blazers.
Eventually, Schaefer was introduced to Buckaroos collector and historian Scott Petterson, and they discussed collaborating on a film. Petterson, who owns the team's trademark, said he would do whatever it took to make it happen.
Most of the photos and footage in the film is from Petterson's collection. He also used his personal relationships with many of the players to set up interviews for Schaefer.
Portland might be a rarity as a pro hockey city in that many players who played for the Buckaroos decided to make the city their home when they finished their playing careers.
"The nucleus of all those great teams is still literally right here in Portland, and it really helped in getting this film made," Petterson said.
The reward for Petterson is not just getting to show off his collection to fans in Portland, but to help honor a part of Oregon's history.
"These guys were loved just like the Blazers in their glory years," Petterson said. "They're getting up there in age, so my goal has always been to keep their memory alive forever, and a film like this helps to do that."
Petterson also notes that the Portland Winterhawks, a junior hockey team, have taken an active role in the production of the film and in promoting the Buckaroos' history.
"Our feeling is that the Buckaroos are an important part of the hockey heritage here," Winterhawks president Doug Piper said. "It's in our best interest to help people understand how important hockey has been in this city."
Piper, Petterson and some of the players featured in the film are expected to attend Wednesday's screening. Schaefer will introduce the film.
"Sports help form the common bond among all the people who live here," Schaefer said. "I'm happy to be able to show what this team meant to Portland."
-- Scott Sepich; sports@news.oregonian.com
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