Ghislain Bérubé, affectionately known as “Mr. Pee-wee,” made a remarkable recovery after a near-fatal heart incident on December 24, where he was resuscitated after being presumed dead for 15 minutes. Despite his harrowing experience, he remains committed to the pee-wee tournament, having attended 64 of 65 events. His booth is filled with cherished memorabilia, including historic items from hockey legends. As the tournament approaches, an exciting schedule of matches is set for February 15.
A Remarkable Comeback: Ghislain Bérubé’s Journey
On December 24, Ghislain Bérubé faced a life-threatening event that nearly claimed his life. Suffering from a heart issue, he was resuscitated after being presumed dead for almost 15 minutes. Yet, this resilient figure, known affectionately as “Mr. Pee-wee,” remains dedicated to his role at the pee-wee tournament.
With an impressive history of attending 64 out of 65 tournaments, Mr. Bérubé can be found tirelessly working at his booth, surrounded by an extensive collection of memorabilia. “I feel fantastic!” he shares, casually mentioning the harrowing experience of being “dead for 15 minutes” on that fateful day.
A Heart-Stopping Incident
On that day, Mr. Bérubé had just left his home in Beauport for a quick shopping trip when a sudden electrical issue with his heart caused him to lose consciousness behind the wheel. “I woke up with the airbag in my face and the light pole on the ground. There were ambulances around, but I don’t remember anything,” he recalls.
After being rushed to the hospital, he experienced another episode a few hours later. “I lost consciousness at 5:25 PM and was resuscitated with a temporary pacemaker placed in my neck. Again, I don’t remember a thing,” he explains. His primary concern during this ordeal? “Missing the pee-wee tournament. That thought terrified me! It was exhausting, both physically and emotionally,” he admits.
Once stabilized with a permanent pacemaker, Mr. Bérubé was released from the hospital on December 27. Rather than resting, his determination led him straight to the junkyard to reclaim his cherished license plate “PEEWEE1.” “The first thing I did was go to the junkyard for my plate. They told me I couldn’t retrieve it yet since my car hadn’t been declared a total loss. I had to drive for a week with a temporary plate, but trust me, my pee-wee plate is sacred!”
Back in action, Mr. Bérubé is fueled by a passion that has endured for 64 years. A visit to his booth is like stepping into a time capsule. During our conversation, he proudly showcased some of his prized items, including Wayne Gretzky’s contract from the tournament in 1974 and a 1999 check signed by Sidney Crosby’s father, Troy, which confirmed his son’s team’s participation—though late, ultimately leading them to forgo the tournament.
Among his treasured artifacts is a frame of Jean Béliveau, which was stolen from him last year. Thankfully, the thief was apprehended, but the original photo was lost forever. With assistance from Montreal archivist Jocelyn Paquet, the tournament’s general manager, Patrick Dom, provided Mr. Bérubé with a replacement, signed by Mrs. Élise Béliveau herself. It now resides in a secure glass case, making it nearly impossible to steal. “No, no, there’s no danger,” he reassures us.
As the tournament continues, fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of matches scheduled for February 15:
- 8 AM: Chicago Reapers vs. Minuteman Flames AAA
- 9:15 AM: Hershey Jr. Bears vs. Oakland Junior Grizzlies AA-Elites
- 10:30 AM: Anaheim Jr. Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets AAA
- 11:45 AM: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada vs. Davos Hockey Club AA-Elites
- 1 PM: Quebec Remparts vs. Team Maryland AA-Elites
- 2:15 PM: Detroit Compuware vs. Montreal Canadiens AAA
- 3:30 PM: Colorado Extreme vs. England BB
- 4:45 PM: Saint-Louis Lake Lions vs. St. Louis Blues AAA
- 6 PM: Burnaby Winter Club Bruins vs. New Jersey Devils AAA
- 7:15 PM: Austria Stars vs. Lanaudière Pioneers AA-Elites
- 8:30 PM: Branksome Hall Bears vs. Team Doritos AA