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Widow claims family friend won't return her gold

Darah Hansen, Postmedia News December 29, 2011

VANCOUVER — An 84-year-old widow is suing a British Columbia Hockey Hall of Famer, alleging she gave him thousands of dollars in gold and silver and he won't give it back.

According to court documents, Laverne Sniegocki of Chemainus, B.C., is seeking the return of her property — or its value in lieu — after entrusting Ernie "Punch" McLean with at least 15 ounces of gold bars, 74 ounces of silver bars, several large gold nuggets and a series of gold coins two years ago on the promise the renowned former junior hockey coach, now 79, would sell it for her.

Sniegocki and her husband accumulated the gold and other precious metals while living in the remote northern community of Atlin, B.C., according to court documents filed with the B.C. Supreme Court earlier this month in support of Sniegocki's claim.

The couple owned and operated the Atlin grocery store from 1975 to 1987.

It was there, Sniegocki said, that she became friends with McLean, an avid gold miner since wrapping up a colourful career as head coach of the Estevan and New Westminster Bruins in the 1980s.

After her husband's death in October 2009, Sniegocki said she turned to McLean to advise her on how and when to sell her collection of gold and silver.

She alleges McLean agreed at the time to sell the property on her behalf and give her the money, but never did, and has since refused to answer her phone calls or letters.

McLean has yet to formally respond to Sniegocki's allegations in court. He was quoted by local media saying the dispute is the result of a misunderstanding, and that the property is in storage.

Phone calls by the Vancouver Sun to McLean's Coquitlam, B.C., home were not returned by press time.

Sniegocki declined to comment on the case when contacted by the newspaper Thursday.

McLean made headlines in the summer of 2009 when he went missing while prospecting in a remote wooded area outside of Dease Lake, B.C. Search crews found him weak and hungry, but otherwise healthy, five days later.

In 1972, McLean survived a plane crash in northern Saskatchewan. He lost an eye and broke his jaw and shoulder blade, but somehow managed to crawl from the wreckage and seek help.

Dean
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