Ian Anderson wisely called on his Kirkland Lake, Ontario, roots when he arrived to play for the Clinton Comets hockey team in 1965. He convinced player-coach Pat Kelly to team him with veteran defenseman Len Speck, another Kirkland Lake native.

It was the beginning of two wonderful relationships: Speck and Anderson skated onto the Eastern Hockey League All-Star Team, and Kelly became coach of professional hockey's all-time winningest team.

After surviving the rigors of Junior "A" with the Toronto Marlboros in 1957, "Andy" Anderson landed in the American Hockey League, playing mostly with the Providence Reds, the Boston Bruins' affiliate. The travel and uncertainty of minor league hockey took its toll, however, and Andy went into early "retirement."

He played in Europe with a touring team from Ottawa, staying active in the game he loved. A friend from the European tour, Bill Watson, hooked up Anderson with Wren Blair, general manager of the Minnesota North Stars, who had an affiliation with the Comets. A campaign developed to bring Andy out of his self-imposed exile.

A meeting with Comets' mogul and founder, Ed Stanley, clinched the deal.

Andy's first year with Clinton, 1965-66, coincided with Kelly's arrival as player-coach. The Comets were putting the pieces in place for eventual dominance of the Eastern Hockey League.

If you ask Anderson's teammates, he was the key piece to the puzzle. No professional hockey team can flourish without a physical presence that refuses to be intimidated. Ian provided that element and more. Kane recalled that Anderson's ability to move the puck contributed to molding a team with six IOO-point scorers, and winning the Walker Cup, the EHL Championship, in 1967-68.

In five years with the Comets, Anderson scored 31 goals, 212 assists and 243 total points. He had 42 points in his rookie year, improving to 71 points in 1967-68. In the 1967-68 season, he skated in all 72 games. getting 12 goals and 59 assists. plus 172 penalty minutes.

Andy was an EHL All-Star twice as the Comets brought home two consecutive Walker Cups, 1967-68 and 1968-69.

Early in the 1969-70 campaign, tragedy struck. Anderson skated over a coin on the Clinton Arena ice. His knee and his professional career were shattered. Despite efforts at rehabilitation and lacking today's arthroscopic surgery, Anderson struggled to return to the Comets' lineup. He never made it all the way back.

Anderson could have bitterly headed for home, north of the border. but he chose to stay in the Mohawk Valley. His indomitable spirit and love for the game found a new venue. He has remained a great ambassador for the game by coaching youth hockey, through his community involvement. and his loyal friendship to the hockey fans of Central New York.