Saskatoon Contacts Honor 'Mr. Mac' Jim McIntyre: A Hockey Legacy Remembered
The Saskatoon Contacts hockey community is gathering to pay tribute to Jim McIntyre, affectionately known as "Mr. Mac," who passed away last month at the age of 87. McIntyre was the face of the Contacts for nearly four decades, leaving an indelible mark on Saskatchewan's hockey landscape.
A Life Dedicated to Hockey
Jim McIntyre's association with the Saskatoon Contacts spanned 38 years, during which he served in virtually every capacity imaginable. From team owner and governor to coach and mentor, McIntyre's influence extended far beyond the ice rink. His son Kyle McIntyre, currently commissioner for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, recalls his father's multifaceted role.
"He sharpened skates, did laundry, drove the bus, worked bingos, recruited and scouted players throughout his time with the Contacts," says Kyle McIntyre, highlighting his father's hands-on approach to team management.
The Heart of the Contacts
For those who knew him best, Jim McIntyre wasn't just involved with the Contacts—he was the embodiment of the team's spirit and values. Ryan Keller, a former Contacts player who now serves as head coach, emphasizes McIntyre's central role in the organization.
"Obviously when anybody over the last 30-40 years thinks of the Contacts, or brings up the Contacts name, I'd say he's probably the first person that comes to mind for everybody," Keller explains. "There are just so many different hats that he wore, whether that was coach, mentor, manager—you name it."
Roger Bortis, whose sons Kyle and Evan both played for the Contacts in the Saskatchewan Male U-18 AAA Hockey League, echoes this sentiment. "Jim WAS the Contacts, right? When you think about the Saskatoon Contacts, you think about Jim McIntyre. His love for the game, his passion for the game, his passion for sports in general, I think, was evident."
A Father Figure to Young Athletes
Beyond his administrative duties, McIntyre served as a father figure to generations of young hockey players. Keller describes how McIntyre created a supportive environment where athletes could focus on development without unnecessary distractions.
"As you got to know him, and as you were around him more, he was a comforting person to come to the rink and see—be able to just worry about getting better as young hockey players and having that kind of father figure, if you will, to help you through it," Keller recalls.
Bortis notes that McIntyre's influence extended beyond hockey skills. "He demanded discipline. He demanded respect. That was reflective on my boys now, how he's influenced them over the years."
Championship Success and Personal Sacrifice
McIntyre's dedication bore fruit in 2005 when he and coach Darren Evjen guided the Contacts to their one and only Telus Cup national championship victory. Evjen, who coached alongside McIntyre for nine years, remembers his colleague's complex personality and unwavering commitment.
"He had a hard exterior amongst the public. But inside, he was really an emotional person," Evjen reveals. "He put a lot of time into that team, whether it was folding towels to getting the bus ready to getting ready for practice. That was a big focal point of his life, the Contacts."
A Lasting Legacy
Even after stepping away from active involvement with the Contacts about six years ago due to failing health, McIntyre remained connected to the team he loved. His son Kyle notes that hockey was truly his father's life, and his absence from the rink marked a significant personal transition.
"When he stepped away from the Contacts and the league about six years ago, he really lost his will to do much," Kyle McIntyre shares, adding that his father had been in and out of hospital for much of the fall before his passing.
The Saskatoon Contacts will formally honor Jim McIntyre's memory during their Sunday game against cross-town rivals the Saskatoon Blazers. The tribute game begins at 2 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place, where McIntyre continued to support the team in small ways after their move to the facility.
As the hockey community gathers to remember "Mr. Mac," his legacy lives on through the countless players, coaches, and families he influenced during his nearly four decades with the Saskatoon Contacts.
