Moray Hanson is fighting back after a major operation, typical of the man who made ice hockey history. He is the only British born and trained, since players ceased to officiate when not playing, to compete at the highest level of the World Championships in both roles. The 48 year-old driving examiner climbed the pinnacle of the sport as a player. And the man nicknamed Super Mo then did it all again as a referee.
Edinburgh-born on 21 June 1964 Hanson, eulogised in song when he wore the strip of Murrayfield Racers, thoroughly deserves his place in the ice hockey Hall of Fame.
His career in the world’s fastest team sport began when he was ten and by chance. Moray did not fancy anything on TV so joined his father at a match at the Riversdale rink, the rest is history. He went along to training and there was no kit. So Moray was handed the netminders gear and he was hooked.
Seven years later he made a dream debut for Racers but that was only because seven of the top players were in China on World Championship duty. Alex Dampier, one of Edinburgh’s most celebrated player/coaches gave him the nod as John Pullar and Mike Ward were in China. Moray never looked back. He won everything domestically before representing his country. He and the Racers reached six Wembley finals and won the Heineken British League twice in 12 seasons. Hanson was consistently one of the top three netminders.
The pinnacle came when Moray was the last line of defence at Pool A in 1994 at Bolzano, Italy in three matches, including facing Canada. He had previously represented his country in 1989 and again two years later and earlier twice with the GB under18s and under 20s in 1984.
And Moray returned to Pool A as a whistler 10 years later after reinventing himself in 1997 as an official. His progress was such that after four years he was an IIHF official and refereed in six consecutive World championships. Commencing in 2001 in Division 2 in Spain for four games, next winter it was five in Serbia, then moving to Division 1 with four outings in Budapest. Twelve months on saw him in Pool A at Prague and Ostravia to wear the red armbands five times including Slovakia v Ukraine and the key relegation contest. Two more years at Division 1events followed. He was also chosen for a Continental Cup tournament.
His greatest fans were his mother and father. They travelled to Europe to watch Moray play. Sadly his father passed away several years ago, but mum Shelia still goes to matches at Murrayfield.
Moray put his whistle away for the last time two years ago but his exploits in a Racers and black and white stripped jerseys live on. And the friendships he made are as strong today as they ever were.
Written by Nigel Duncan
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