"Al's Your Pal"
And the Underwear Band

   "Put on your Smokie sweater, you'll find none better" peeled through the arena as the game was ready to start. In comes the Al's Your Pal Underwear Band led by team and city booster Al Tognotti. The original band was formed in 1939 and was made up of members of the famous Maple Leaf Band and later was comprised of school band members. In long underwear, old Smoke Eater sweaters and goofy hats the talented musicians got the arena rocking, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.
   There is no doubt that the underwear band was the deciding factor at numerous games, both home and away. During the years they travelled throughout the Kootenays as well as Kelowna, Vancouver, Calgary, Penticton and Spokane. For five consecutive years the Smoke Eaters' Underwear Band was invited to Kelowna for the mid-summer hockey game by Bob Giardano. NHL superstar Bobby Hull was a perennial guest at this event. They were in attendance at five Allan Cup championships, with the most memorable being 1961 when the Smokies lost to the Chatham Maroons led by the unbeatable goaltending of none other than Trail native Cesare Maniago.
    Over the years the Smoke Eaters and Spokane became great rivals and the trips to Spokane were without question some of the most memorable. The Highlight for the band however, was welcoming back the Smokies in 1961 when they returned from Europe as World Champions. Thousands of fans greeted the Smokies as they were paraded around the city on a fire truck with the Underwear Band leading the way. The Smoke Eaters received a reception that would be remembered and appreciated forever.
    The members of the band not only cheered the team on to many victories but also assisted with providing funds for travel and meals. On numerous occasions Allan Tognotti assisted the team financially because of his love for the team and what it stood for.
    Allan Tognotti and his famous underwear band entertained hundreds of thousands of fans since 1939 and continues to do so today. Thanks to dedicated Smoke Eater fans like Ray Tenisci, Gord Fischer, Bob Howard, Ed and Tony Ferraro and members of the Trail and Rossland school bands, the tradition of the band continues and so does the memory of one of the greatest Smoke Eater boosters of all time, "Al's Your Pal Tognotti".
    Allan Tognotti was the curator of the Sports Hall of Memories located on the red floor of the Trail Memorial Center where his drum and mop hairpiece are retired. Al Tognotti passed away in 1985.