Broncos-era hockey star dearly remembered

One of the greatest players to ever wear a hockey jersey in Penticton is being fondly remembered not only as a great hockey player, but a fun-loving friend, outstanding overall athlete and proud Pentictonite.

Chad Campbell, who passed away the last week of June, will be celebrated by family, friends, fans and loved ones on Wednesday, July 17 in the east ballroom at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

Campbell was a former British Columbia Junior Hockey League scoring champion who was a key member of the 1972-73 league champion Penticton Broncos.

He earned a full scholarship to the University of Denver, where his scoring prowess continued and resulted in him being drafted by the Houston Aeros of the former World Hockey Association.

Bob Nicholson, the former head of Hockey Canada and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, was one of Campbell’s best friends and a former teammate with the Broncos.

They met as friends early in childhood, played hockey together for years and maintained a close and lasting friendship throughout their entire adult lives.

“We met through minor hockey and played together for a few years,” he said. “We won the provincial championship in our midget year and then went on and played three years together with the Broncos. Me and Chad go way back and we remained real good friends.

“I would come back to Penticton every summer and we’d always meet up, play a little golf, tell some old stories.”

There was a big reunion of that championship Broncos squad in Penticton last November.

“No one enjoyed it more than Chad,” said Nicholson. “He wasn’t feeling very good at that time, but he didn’t know what it was, but he was in great spirits. Pretty much the entire team returned for the reunion and it was great. Chad was pretty much in the middle of all the shenanigans, so we’re all lucky to have had that reunion last November.”

Campbell was an exceptionally talented player whose offensive skills were unmatched in the BCJHL at the time he played, said Nicholson.
“He was a great offensive player,” he said. “He could shoot the puck, but his best offensive gift was his speed. He had elite skating speed that separated him from all the other guys playing junior against him at that time.”

Campbell and teammate Bruce Affleck were both offered and accepted full hockey scholarships to the University of Denver following the 1973 season, said Nicholson.

“He kept putting up numbers and had a good career in Denver,” he said. “It wasn’t enough to turn pro, but the Houston Aeros of the WHA drafted him and offered him to go to camp and he went, but I think he only took his golf clubs.”

Campbell and Nicholson were in their prime during the heyday of the Philadelphia Flyers, also known as the Broad Street Bullies, and smaller players like themselves weren’t given much of a chance of success at the highest levels of North American pro hockey.

Things would have been much differently had Campbell played in today’s modern game, said Nicholson.

“His style would have really fit into today’s game with his outstanding speed,” he said. “He wasn’t overly big, but he could fly and shoot the puck and in today’s game, that’s the type of player you’re looking for.”

Campbell was a star on the ice, but off it as well, said Nicholson.
“Chad was always in the middle of things. He was just a great teammate and guys loved playing with him because he was a great player and he always had a burning desire to win.”

Campbell’s athletic excellence extended far beyond hockey, said Nicholson.

“He was an outstanding squash player, a great golfer and talented tennis player,” he said. “When it came to sports, he was gifted and talented and he played to win.”

Nicholson expects a large crowd of family, former teammates, friends and acquaintances to gather next Wednesday to formally say goodbye to Campbell.

“We had a lot of great times together and we stayed in touch right up until the last couple of days,” he said.

As a goodbye gift, Nicholson and several Oilers players sent him a video just before he passed away.

“In the video, there’s a lot of comments about how great No. 97 (Connor McDavid) is with these Oilers, but also don’t forget No. 17 and how great Chad Campbell was back in the day,” said Nicholson. “His daughter showed him the video and he was smiling. Those were my last words to Chad.”

Andy Oakes, president of Okanagan Hockey School, said Campbell and Nicholson were part of the first year of operation of OHS in 1963 and it was clear both were going to do well in hockey.

Campbell and Nicholson played in the annual OHS Summer Golf tournament and have shown continued support for the school over the past several decades.

OHS founder Larry Lund said Campbell was not only one of the best players Penticton had ever produced, but he was also a great guy and strong supporter of all levels of hockey in this community for decades.
Campbell was an instructor for five years at OHS and two years in Phoenix.

“Chad was a great instructor and was always so great with the kids,” he said.

The Penticton Vees Junior Hockey recently announced the team’s Top Scorer Award will be rebranded as the Chad Campbell Award, in honour of the Penticton Bronco alumni.

Campbell led the BCJHL in scoring in his final season with the Broncos, as he posted 123 points, including 53 goals, in 62 regular season games in the 1972-73 season.

That season, Penticton beat Chilliwack in the BCJHL final in seven games. Campbell and the Broncos went on to win the Doyle Cup, the B.C./Alberta championship, in five games over the Calgary Canucks. The Broncos lost the Abbott Cup, the Western Canadian championship, in a memorable seven-game series against Portage la Prairie.

Campbell went on to play four seasons at University of Denver from 1974-1977 and amassed 136 points in 143 career game.

Campbell’s celebration of life will take place from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on July 17. In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Okanagan Hockey Community Foundation, 201-853 Eckhart Avenue West, Penticton.

Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Penticton Herald