Stayner Siskins hockey club is proving to be a hot bed for aspiring coaches to gain experience and advance to higher levels in the hockey world.
Last season, Steve Walker left the club to take an assistant coaching position in the German Hockey League and two weeks ago Siskins head coach Dave Rainford told the executive he would be leaving to scout for the Tier II Junior A Newmarket Hurricanes.
“He wanted to go in a different direction,” confirmed Siskins general manager Richard Gauthier.
“He volunteered a lot of his time to our organization,” Gauthier added. “We thank him for his time and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Rainford’s record as a head coach for Stayner was 18-17-5 during the regular season.
The team lost in six games in the opening round of the playoffs to the Caledon Golden Hawks.
Gauthier didn’t have to go far to find a new coach.
Dave Steele cut his coaching ties with the Midland Flyers to join the Siskins.
Gauthier said, “he wanted to come to a team with a winning background, good fan base and the ability to draw more players.”
Midland and Penetang Kings are teams that are located near each other and compete against one and another to sign players from that area.
“I think he has good systems and is a good coach,” said Gauthier. “As well, he is surrounded by good people here” pointing out that it’s a good fit.
Steele joined the Flyers two years ago and took the team from last place to third in the season that just finished with a 19-16-5 record.
The club’s goal is to do what the Alliston Hornets just did.
The Hornets won this season’s Georgian Mid Ontario Junior C Hockey League championship defeating Penetang in four straight games, 6-3, 3-2 4-1 and 4-2. The Hornets are playing off against Kincardine in the province’s quarter finals series.
In another hockey story, Creemore’s Donna Robertson told me that her grandson Alex Formeton, 16, of King City signed a contract to play for the OHL London Knights. He is the son of Jim and Christine Formeton. Christine was raised in Creemore by Donna and her late husband Ron. Alex played for Aurora Tigers last year. His brother Justin mans the blue line for the Junior C Schomberg Cougars.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the sudden passing of former professional hockey player Don Westbrooke recently. Don grew up in Creemore and played minor hockey here. He might very well be the best hockey player to ever come out of Creemore.
Don played many years of professional hockey winning several IHL awards including rookie of the year in 1963-64; MVP in 1968-69, and the top scorer in 1969-70.
In 1970-71, Don played under the infamous coach – Eddie Shore – with the Springfield Kings & Eddie Shore of American Hockey League. Later he was traded to Rochester Americans where he played with Collingwood native Darryl Sly and roommate Don Cherry. In 1971-72, Don played in Seattle and led the team in scoring.
On January 5, 1974, Don Westbrooke became a North American trivia answer as he became the “only” North American player to score a hat-trick against legendary goaltender Vladislav Tretiak (of the Soviet Red Army Selects). His team defeated the World Champions 6-4.
Don Westbrooke was inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame, July 1984. His father Reg Westbrooke was also inducted into the Hall. Reg was the long-time publisher/editor of The Creemore Star.