‘We made it our home:’ Huskies employee shares memories of Rutherford Arena

Rutherford Arena on the University of Saskatchewan campus is being demolished after a 90-year run.

The rink was home to many hockey games, cheering fans, and celebrations until its final game in 2018. Dave Westbury, the equipment manager for the U of S Huskies women’s hockey team, said Rutherford was more than just a rink.

The Huskies now call Merlis Belsher Place — just south of the Saskatoon Field House — their home.

Westbury said they anticipated Rutherford being torn down, but due the pandemic, they didn’t know exactly when.

When he received the email two weeks ago announcing the rink’s demolition was officially underway, he said it was an emotional experience.

Westbury said the process began on Nov. 7 and he drove by two days later to see the progress himself.

“It felt like there was a piece of me missing the first time I drove by and (saw) half the building gone,” he said.

Now the only pieces remaining after the demolition process are the concrete dressing rooms and lobby.

“It was a quarter of my life at Rutherford,” said Westbury, who spent eight years at the rink with the Huskies.

When Westbury reflects on his favourite memories at Rutherford, the team’s 2014 championship win comes to mind.

“It was very memorable. We played 17 periods in three days, (which was) just unheard of (in) hockey,” he said about the Huskies’ showdown against the Regina Cougars.

Westbury said no other team in Canada West has played that amount of overtime during a playoff season.

He also reflects on another three-game series against the Manitoba Bisons in 2016.

“That went five overtimes as the longest game in Canada West women’s hockey history,” he said.

The intimate atmosphere is what Westbury will miss aside from their memorable games.

“When it was full, it was really loud in there. It’s hard to replicate that in new bigger buildings,” he said.

Between the sold-out tickets and air horns, the positive energy from fans illuminated the rink.

Westbury says the Huskies are already making new memories at Merlis Belsher Place, and the most important aspect going forward is providing proper facilities and amenities for their hockey team that the current, more-upscale rink provides.

The new university rink — which houses both men’s and women’s hockey, soccer and basketball teams — has two ice rinks, two full-sized gyms, lounges and even a video room for U of S athletes to enjoy.

“Rutherford had its time in history. We all enjoyed it while we were there (and) we made it our home,” Westbury said of the iconic piece of Saskatchewan history.