The final horn rang throughout the WFCU Centre in Windsor on January 23 without any hint of real significance. The only cause for celebration seemed to be that the Knights had collected yet another road win. The players gathered to congratulate goaltender Brett Brochu on another outstanding performance, and the coaching staff quietly shuffled down the tunnel to the dressing room. Just another day’s work for a team of young men and their mentors. Except it was a significant win. With the victory, Dale Hunter, the team’s head coach, collected his 800th win in the Ontario Hockey League.
The start of Hunter’s OHL career might not have seemed so promising. After purchasing the team with his brother, Mark, and Basil McRae in 2000, the trio opted to give the title of head coach to Lindsay Hofford. The Knights finished the 2000-2001 season with a win percentage under .500. After the next season began in much the say way, Dale took over the reins and became head coach 18 games into the 2001-2002 campaign. His first game? In Windsor. The Spitfires took that game, his first behind the bench, by a score of four to one. His second game was at the old Ice House, where the Knights faced the Sarnia Sting – and came away on the losing end again, this time in overtime. But the third time was the charm, and Hunter captured his first OHL win in his third game when the Knights beat the Kitchener Rangers 6-3.
Since that day in November of 2001, the numbers in the win column for Hunter have increased at a remarkable pace. Coupled with a rebuilding of the Knights’ scouting system and management, Dale’s coaching style has made the green and gold synonymous with success. The rate at which he has earned his 800 wins means that he could pass Brian Kilrea’s OHL record of 1,193 wins in 10 more seasons – which would be five years shorter than the successful long-time Ottawa head coach.
What would Dale say about this? Nothing, of course. A farmer at heart, Hunter understands that the only way something gets better is if you work on it. Celebrating what happened yesterday only means that you’ll miss what you could have done today. What Dale has taken from his success is what can be learned from those 800 games. In other words, do not try and chase records. Otherwise, you will miss what is right in front of you. Play today’s game, not tomorrow’s or yesterday’s.
When the team returned to Budweiser Gardens to face the Hamilton Bulldogs the day following Hunter’s milestone 800th win, his accomplishment was given a moment of recognition at the arena. Thousands cheered and applauded over the announcer’s voice while they saw the number ‘800’ flash on the scoreboard. The man to whom they were showing their appreciation gave a wave and a quick smile before returning to his stoic demeanour. There was still a game to be played, after all.
By Charlie Echlin
