The Greater Toronto Hockey League community is mourning the loss of Eric Anweiler, the North Toronto Memorial Arena’s long-time manager.

Eric, known as “Moose” to all who knew him, took great pride in his work for the North Toronto Memorial Arena and the community for over 50 years.

The GTHL its community will keep Eric’s family and friends in our thoughts during this time.

In memory, the “GTHL Community Spotlight” On Eric, written in the fall of 2022, has been reshared below.

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GTHL Community Spotlight: Eric Anweiler 
By: Max Lewis 

The first thing you notice when you walk through the doors at North Toronto Memorial Arena is its iconic layout. The green and white walls are still vibrant. The floor leading to the staircases on either side of the door immaculately swept; and the glass display straight ahead, featuring pucks adorned with various Greater Toronto Hockey League organizations, still shimmers in the light. It’s a rink you always look forward to playing at, one that’s image is seared into your mind when you think of the joys of being on the ice.  

Eric Anweiler is the facility manager, and with his leadership and the support of his team the foundation of its maintenance, North Toronto Memorial Arena is in good hands. Anweiler grew up in Etobicoke, Ontario, taking the bus across Eglinton to get to the rink.  

“I started playing hockey here when I was 13 for North Toronto, then I started working part-time at the rink when I was 14,” remembered Anweiler, adding that he started out sweeping, and when a full-time position opened when he was 19-years-old, he took it.  

That was 47 years ago – Anweiler has been with North Toronto Arena ever since, making sure the rink is ready for the countless players who’ve graced the hallowed building.  

Tom Wilson, former North Toronto player and current Washington Capitals forward, was one of those players. Wilson fondly recalled coming to the arena at a young age to watch his older brother play, eating mini donuts and drinking hot chocolate from the snack bar while cheering him on.  

“I remember Eric always catching us playing mini sticks and telling us to pick up the ball,” Wilson offered. “He took such pride in keeping the arena pristine, although, we always kept playing anyways.” 

Wilson and Anweiler have remained close since the Toronto native’s minor hockey days, constantly texting back and forth throughout the season after games.  

Fast forward to Wilson’s day with the Stanley Cup following the Capitals win in 2018, it was an opportunity for the GTHL alumnus to bring it back to the place that gave him so much growing up.  

“Without the rink and the [North Toronto] support system with people like Eric, I would never have been able to live my dream,” Wilson shared. “So many people sacrifice so much to make sure all the kids like me coming through the arena love the game and have the opportunity to chase their dreams. Being able to share the celebration with the kids at [North Toronto] was full circle.”  

Anweiler remembers vividly the stretch of kids from the arena all the way to the baseball diamond in the park beside the rink, waiting for their chance to see hockey’s biggest prize. When asked about the day, Anweiler simply recalled it as the “best day ever.”  

Years later, Anweiler still makes sure the ice is ready to go in the summer for Wilson to skate there at least once during the off-season.  

“It’s a special moment for me to be able to think back, skate around, and appreciate the game of hockey in one of my favorite places,” Wilson said.  

These days, with COVID-19 restrictions loosening, and GTHL teams returning to the ice to close out the 2021-22 season, Anweiler and his team are business as usual keeping the rink ready for the upcoming onslaught of games and practices. 

Some of Anweiler’s staff has been with him for over 30 years – relationships that he cherishes every day when he walks through the North Toronto Memorial Arena doors.  

“I just love coming into the place,” Anweiler offered. “I’ve never had a bad day here.” 

NHL players like Wilson know how important all the supporting staff are at any rink they lace up the skates at, and that appreciation for people like Anweiler is clear: “A loyal guy who makes everyone’s day better when they get the chance to walk into that arena.”