Former Condors photographer donates 'Kernals' items

"Kernals" of memorabilia have been donated to the growing shrine representing the Bakersfield Kernals.

Transcript

00:00 Welcome back everyone.

00:02 Plans are underway to set up a new hockey display inside Mechanics Bank Arena that has

00:07 nothing to do with the Condors, Oilers or the Fog.

00:09 23 ABC's My Cart has more on the latest kernels of memorabilia that have been donated to this

00:15 growing shrine.

00:17 The Bakersfield Kernels were the first sports team to occupy the new Civic Auditorium when

00:23 it opened in 1962.

00:26 And when I ran a story earlier this year about a team blazer that was found in Canada, more

00:31 people have been reaching out concerning memorabilia in their possession.

00:34 Is this a small part of your museum at your house?

00:38 I do have a museum.

00:40 Yeah, that's kind of sad.

00:42 Mike Duffy fell in love with hockey as a kid.

00:45 This belongs to, these gloves belong to Jack Milburn.

00:48 He stayed here and was actually, died in a convenience store robbery.

00:54 I loved hockey from the day I saw it and I collected anything I could get for him.

00:59 The Bakersfield Kernels took the ice in 1962 when Duffy and his brother were in grade school.

01:04 My dad was the PA guy so we were kind of the de facto stick boys.

01:10 And Duffy was lucky enough to collect some equipment, his goalie gear from Kernels net

01:14 minder Phil Heidly and he put it to good use.

01:17 And there was a group of us kids that all played and wore this jersey or this, you know,

01:22 after the original Kernels.

01:24 And so we had kind of a camaraderie and that was kind of fun too.

01:29 We had a great time.

01:31 Mike kept in touch with several players after that season, including head coach Colin Kilburn.

01:35 He saw the first story 23 ABC did about the team Blazer found in Canada and started digging

01:41 through his own memories.

01:42 So this is what I have left of it, but when I heard that there was a chance it might put

01:47 a display up, this would be a great idea and you know it should be someplace.

01:53 And plans on a display are still underway so that fans will be able to view these items

01:58 inside the arena this season.

02:00 In downtown Bakersfield, Mike Hart, 23 ABC, connecting you.