The Wellington Dukes Matte Cooke, Andrew Raycroft, Brad Richardson; this team has quite an impressive local alumni! Matte Cooke won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008/09 hockey season and competed with Team Canada to win the 2004 World Championship. Andrew Raycroft, who won Goaltender of the Year during his OHL time, is now playing in the NHL with the Dallas Stars and Brad Richardson is currently playing centre for the LA Kings. The Dukes are a Junior A team in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and rivals of the Trenton Golden Hawks. They have been around since the 1970’s operated by a volunteer Board of Directors. This Board is quite extensive and has worked hard to ensure the success of its players and the club. This winter is to be much celebrated as the new Duke Dome opens for its first season of play under the talented guidance of Head Coach and General Manager Marty Abrams.
Trenton Golden Hawks Every winter, the Glover’s in Trenton flooded the back yard for a rink. With boards and nets, this spot was a natural attraction where the neighbourhood kids spent most evenings playing hockey. This town needed a team. The history on hockey in Trenton dates back to the early 1960’s when the owner of an apple orchard, Howard Weese, started the Trenton Apple Kings. At that time Gord Webb and Rex Glover pitched in to assist with coaching and training, and the town of Trenton had their hockey team. In 1968 the ownership of the team changed, as did the name, and the Trenton Golden Hawks were born. For almost three decades this town supported the Golden Hawks. During this time, the team moved through the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League and by the mid 90’s the status of a Junior ‘A’ team. This change also brought a new name ‘The Stings’. For the most part, the team has been owned by locals including Doug Whitley, John Gibbons, the Huffs and Brad Teichman. The coaching staff has seen many locals too, like Billy Glover, son of Rex. Billy coached the team for three years starting in 1991. He comes by a passion for hockey naturally, is still coaching in the minors today and says about hockey “What else would you be doing?” After the Stings, the team became the Quinte West Pack, then the Trenton Hercs under local Head Coach Jason Supryka. After another ownership change, the town of Trenton voted in an actual team naming contest and the Trenton Golden Hawks were back! John McDonald, Director of Player Development & Advancement, adds “These are good kids.” They work hard at their game and at school. They volunteer, reading to younger kids in the public schools and participating in local charity work. John tells his young players, “You don’t know where you are going, if you don’t know 22
COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING WINTER 2010/11
Trenton Golden Hawks vs Wellington Dukes Picton Pirates vs Napanee Raiders Belleville Booster Club ring ~ The Belleville McFarlands, Allan Cup Champions ~1957/58 Ontario Hockey Association gold medal – The Belleville McFarlands, Allan Cup Champions World Cup Hockey Championship ring - The Belleville McFarlands – Prague 1959.