Hockey

Layton Dodge Loved His Home Town, Sports

By Cecilia Nasmith Dec 10, 2013 Northumberland Today

Layton Dodge's chair at Sommerville's is empty.
Dave Sommerville, owner of the downtown Cobourg sporting goods store, has been reflecting on what to do with it since hearing of Dodge's passing on Sunday.

Since his retirement as Cobourg's premier sports reporter, Dodge has been a regular in the store, taking the chair Sommerville's father Clarke used to occupy. It started out as a chance to enlist the Sommervilles' help in identifying the rafts of old sports photos he was giving away, and evolved into one of his favourite places just to hang out and visit with people.

Sommerville was one of those legions of Cobourg kids who grew up looking forward to the Wednesday paper because of Dodge.

"We ran home, grabbed the paper and opened it to the sports page to see if our name was there," he recalled.
Born March 14, 1937 to parents William and Kathleen, Layton Dodge grew up in Cobourg and attended Cobourg District Collegiate Institute (currently CDCI West) when it was the only high school in town. He went directly from high school to working for the Cobourg Sentinel Star, a precursor of Northumberland Today, his friend Rosie Bateman said.

By virtue of his life-long attachment to his home town, Bateman added, he always had a story to share — such as the fact that Col. Gordon King, after whom the library is named, was his Latin teacher.

Retired councilor Bob Spooner first encountered Dodge as a reader. He had been involved in sports reporting himself before he and his wife began looking to move to Cobourg in 1970. They picked up a copy of what was then the weekly Cobourg paper and, turning to the sports page, Spooner recalled, thinking, "Whoever is writing this is really doing the community a service."

Little kids hitting a home run, young goalies making a save, minor athletes who might never rate a mention in a bigger paper had their names there in print, Spooner said. "I thought, 'I have to meet this guy, because he writes so honestly and his information is really accurate.'"

That winter, Spooner got his chance when he began coaching minor hockey. They became instant friends, he reported.
Doing play-by-play hockey coverage for the local radio station in 1972, Spooner often met up with Dodge. Together, they broke down the barrier between print and electronic media when Dodge began doing occasional guest commentary.

"The public liked his analysis, his accuracy, his honesty. He never had a bias if he liked a coach or a player from the other team," Spooner said.

Longtime close friend Rod Baker remembers Dodge's support of the Cobourg Cougars Junior A hockey group, as well as for the young people in town. He remembers how much Dodge contributed to his own three children's lives when they were growing up in Cobourg through his work at the home-town newspaper.

"I think he was one of the best sports writers in this area and could have gone further. But he was very happy in Cobourg," Baker said.

"Layton was probably the biggest promoter of a lot of good athletes in Cobourg, but he would always find a way to get the average athlete — the kid who would never get noticed — to get his name in the paper if they had a good hockey game or made a good catch playing ball. He made the average athlete important. He had an uncanny way of doing that," Sommerville said.

He was also impressed with the range of sports his friend covered.
"If it was out there, he covered it," Sommerville stated.

Dodge would even hold off on his summer holidays so as not to miss covering the giant annual ball tournament in Grafton, where he would help with the announcing or do whatever else they needed.
"The only way you knew Layton was on vacation is, there was no sports in the paper. He would still be at all the games, but no sports in the paper.

"Cobourg has been so fortunate to have someone who cared so passionately about the town, so passionately about the youth of the town, and he showed it in many different forms," Sommerville said.

A modest individual, Dodge made substantial donations to organizations but also made the quieter substantial donations — paying for the high school wrestling tournament, for example, or even making significant contributions to the university and college educations of young people in need.

"He did so many things for so many people behind the scenes, the stories could be endless," Sommerville said.
A few years before Dodge was forced to retire earlier than he perhaps would have liked for health reasons, the editor combed old newspapers for a compilation of his best work for a book that was titled Spotlight On Sports.

A later publisher, Darren Murphy, found that Dodge remained deeply involved in the newspaper regardless.
“He would stop by regularly with some kind of a news tip or just to say hello to everyone," said Murphy, who is now publisher and regional advertising director of Eastern Ontario for Sun Media.

"He had a way of brightening up the entire building when he entered, and his contributions to the Cobourg sports community will never be forgotten.”

Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier said Dodge was an icon in the town.
"For so many years, he gave so much to so many people," Brocanier said.
"It's incredible, the work he did and the way he made so many young people growing up in Cobourg playing all sports feel important. He made it his mission to give almost every athlete — regardless of the level they were playing in — he made every effort to give them their 15 minutes of fame by mentioning them or something they had done in a particular game.

"It's a terrible loss to the sports community, and the community as a whole," the mayor stated.
"What really makes me happy is that he lived long enough to see the new sports complex," Spooner said.

As council's parks and recreation head during the project, he recalls how thrilled Dodge was with news of the facility and how he supported it with a donation that paid for the press box.

The Layton Dodge Press Box is the second town amenity that bears his name. Spooner recalls sitting down with the parks and recreation advisory committee prior to the opening of Legion Fields in July 1996 to name the three diamonds.

"The first name that cropped up for one of the diamonds was Layton Dodge," Spooner said.

In the end, the vote was unanimous to name the diamonds after Dodge, Clarke Sommerville and Jack Bevan.
Dodge will be missed very much, Bateman said. "I know how devoted he was to the youth of the town, and sport and the community. I think his legacy is that he inspired the youth of our town to be the best they could be in sports, and in life in general," she stated.

From seeing his friend spend so many pleasant days in that special chair in his store, Sommerville would characterize Dodge as the voice of reason.

"He could always find some middle ground and come up with a logical and reasonable solution. It's something I saw a lot of times that I found fascinating. He would sit back and watch it all and, in a heartbeat, come up with the right answer," he said.

Fairness extended to his sports coverage, which would occasionally single out a visiting player from a big city like Toronto. If a friend or relative sent a clipping to the young player, Sommerville said he would get a call to ask for 15 more copies, because that player would never get that kind of recognition in a bigger community.

And when a local player deserved a wake-up call or a slap on the wrist for any reason, Sommerville added, Dodge could deliver it in such a way that the player would remain on friendly terms with him afterwards.

"I think that gift was born out of his love for the community," he said.
In the end, he said, Dodge earned a singular honour — being known by a single name.

"In Cobourg, everybody knows Layton. It doesn't matter if you're 12 or 100, everybody knows Layton as Layton — or, in our case, Scoop. Nobody asks about Layton Dodge. It's Layton or Scoop. I think, over the course of time, with everything he's done for this community, he has gained that kind of recognition," Sommerville said.

"He deeply loved his mother and his family. He deeply loved Cobourg — the sports community and Cobourg in general.
"His legacy will live on and on and on, not only as a sports writer and member of the community, but also as a human being. There are not many people like Layton."

At Dodge's request, there will be a private graveside service at Cobourg Union Cemetery. A funeral service will be held in Trinity United Church Thursday at 1 p.m., and a celebration of his life will be held at the Cobourg Community Centre at a later date.

Reviewed August 2020

By Jack Kernaghan – written by Doug Johnson approx. 2010

During the 1930’s, before the war started, the East Northumberland Baseball League was in operation and consisted of four teams – Grafton, Colborne, Brighton and Warkworth. Members of the Grafton team included Jim McMahon, Jack Reymes, Harry Landymore, Max Smith, Hart Immel, Harold Sabins, Lloyd Sabins, Ed Lawless, Roy Goody, Chick Cochrane, Jerry Simmons, and Walter Johnston. Grafton games were played in Rogers Field which was located on the west side of the existing ball field.

Although the East Northumberland Baseball League still existed in the 40’s and early 50’s all of the teams were depleted due to war service. From this period on, all Grafton games were played on the present-day fields, but it should be noted there is no baseball field in Grafton at the present time as all (5) five diamonds in the Complex are for softball.

During the late 50’s and early 60’s the South Durham Baseball League was formed consisting mostly of semi-rural teams. They were Welcome, Kendal, Garden Hill, Newcastle, Newtonville, Coverdale and Camborne. Coverdale consisted of the east end of Cobourg and their games were played in Grafton.

Members of the Coverdale team included Bobby Parnell, Fred Goody, Fred McMillan, Dick Turpin, Jack Kernaghan, Paul Currelly, Ross Beatty, Jim Irvine, Bob Bazay, Jim Ingemalls, Jerry Lawless, Fred Maybee and Don Ball. The Camborne team was put together by Norm Dolley but folded later due to a shortage of players.

Some members of the Welcome team were Barney Mills, Don Lord, John Choiniere, Floyd Bebee and Vern Meadows. Long John Holman and Jim Gilmer played for Newtonville.

There was also a girls’ softball team out of Cobourg sponsored by Town Cleaners which was owned by Mr. Hobbs and the team was managed by Alf Minaker and coached by Bus Cane. This team also included at least three members from Haldimand Township who were Pat and Shirley Harnden and Jean Clouston. Some of the girls from Cobourg were Toots Brisbin, Maizie Jenkinson, Ivy Cockburn, Helen Caine, Eileen Goody, Reta Slater, Ruth Brooks, Winnie Twitchett, Ruth Stillwell, Alice Guy, Jean Allen was Captain, Ruth Bolderstone, Jackie Kadan and Marilyn Jenkinson was the mascot.

In 1946 the Town Cleaners team won the Eastern Ontario Intermediate Softball Championship over Belleville. They eventually went on to play for the Ontario Championship where they won the first game in Sunnyside (Toronto) but lost the last game back in Cobourg.

There was also a Haldimand Township softball team which included Pat and Shirley Harnden and Jean Clouston, Marg and Kathleen Tunney, Ann Heenan, Florian, Mary, Kathleen and Ann Lawless. This was strictly a fun team.

During the late 30’s and early 40’s, I believe, Grafton, Colborne, Warkworth and Baltimore each iced an intermediate hockey team. Members of the Grafton team were Manager Roy Bone, Gordon Locke, Jack Turpin, Wib Thomas, Jack Heenan, Cam Harnden, Hart Immel, Jack Beatty, Mike Heenan, Harold Knight, Jack Kernaghan, Jack Reymes, Dick Beatty, Ed and Mike Spears, Tom Walsh and Tommy Hogan. In the early years, games were played on outdoor rinks, but in later years, they moved to covered areas such as church sheds and eventually to artificial ice in proper arenas.

Reviewed August 2020

Lauded for Contribution to Cobourg
By Mandy Martin and Jim denHollander
Cobourg Star August 20, 1997

Cobourg sports enthusiast, businessman, family man and all-around nice guy Clarke Sommerville will be greatly missed in the greater Northumberland community, friends and family said following his death Monday.

Born in Toronto, as a teenager, Mr. Sommerville was drafted as a goalie to play junior hockey. In the late 1940s he was playing in Galt, Ont. “I was a rink rat and I’d go to see him play in my home town” recalled Cobourg Deputy Reeve Bob Spooner. Mr. Spooner was friends with Hugh Whittington, the younger brother of Dorothy Whittington, who later became Mrs. Sommerville.

Mr. Sommerville went on to play semi-pro hockey in Philadelphia and Washington, earning the nick name “Eagle Eye”. “They called him ‘Eagle Eye’ or ‘Sieve’ depending if it was a good or bad game” Mrs. Sommerville recalled. Son Dave said Cobourgers affectionately called his father Sieve.

The travelling life of hockey had lost its appeal by 1951. In 1952 the Sommervilles came to Cobourg. They converted the former Galbraith’s radio shop (where Pizza Pizza is today) into a sports store. In 1961 Sommerville’s Sporting Goods moved to its current location on the north side of King Street West. Cobourg Daily Star sports editor Layton Dodge remembers Mr. Sommerville reviving his hockey career to play in the intermediate league.

During the first game of the 1957 playoffs against the Lakefield Lumber Kings, Cobourg was up 5-1 but Mr. Sommerville had been subjected to Lakefield battering all night. Finally, he raised his stick and caught a Lakefield player right across the forehead. “It touched off quite a riot” Mr. Dodge recalled. The Cobourg team was restrained to the bench except the five players on ice who bore the brunt of the Lakefield melee.

But despite the aftermath, the next day Mr. Sommerville telephoned the Lakefield player to apologize. Only his wife knew he had done so. As a boy, Town of Cobourg administrator Bryan Baxter recalls watching Mr. Sommerville as goalie of the intermediate team in the 1950s. “He was an outstanding goaltender. I looked up to him.” Mr. Baxter said.

Mr. Sommerville was also active in local baseball. He was instrumental in the success of the Cobourg Juvenile A 1958 provincial baseball championship team, coach Paul Currelly recalled. “He’s been a good friend ever since he came to Cobourg” he added. In 1965 Mr. Sommerville and John Rolph founded the Cobourg Cougars. Today, the Cougars are in their sixth year as a Junior A hockey team.

Gord Kelly was one of the original Cougars. He recalls the first-year team. “Let’s face it. It was tough going” he said. We had a limited budget, but with Clarke in the background he made sure we had everything we needed. He always wanted to stay in the background” he added.

Mr. Kelly also worked in the sports store and recalled people stopping by after work or during the day, “spending time at the hot stove lounge around the pop cooler.” Gus Bambridge of Cobourg was another original Cougar. He later became the coach with Mr. Sommerville managing the team. “I remember when they wanted to fire me and Bryan Rose and Clarke didn’t want them to fire us” Mr. Bambridge recalled.

Mr. Sommerville was president of the Cougars in 1971 when the team won the Ontario Hockey Association championship. In 1972 when his daughter Susan wanted to play hockey, Mr. Sommerville helped out by organizing a four-team girl’s league. He was also active in organizing minor league baseball, girls’ softball and played in the Cobourg softball league. “He believed in sports for anybody that wanted to play regardless of sex or age,” his wife said.

As a mother of four boys active in local sports, Bev Helps of Grafton agreed. “There are a lot of kids who would never have played if not for him” she said. “He never questioned your income. If you said something was beyond the budget, he’d find something that was. If you had several kids in sports, he’d work out the best price possible. I don’t think Cobourg could have survived without him.”

Mr. Dodge fondly recalled one quirky feature that betrayed the fact that Mr. Sommerville placed the playing of sports well ahead of his commercial involvement in it. “Here he (was selling) ball gloves and he used this old flat piece of leather himself” he said.

Mr. Sommerville was a natural athlete, Mr. Dodge recalled: the type of guy who goes golfing for the first time and scores well. Last year, the Clarke Sommerville baseball diamond was dedicated at the new Legion Fields softball complex in Cobourg. Harry Jeschke, who manages Legion Fields and the Cobourg arenas, recalled Mr. Sommerville as “a terrific gentleman.” “He was always there for the youngsters in the community. How do you put it into words? He was a true sportsman.”

Mr. Spooner remarked that he was “doubly glad” that Mr. Sommerville lived to see the dedication. Mr. Baxter said that in later years he was acquainted with Mr. Sommerville as a businessman on the main street. “I found him a warm, gentle person, with a soft spot in his heart for all young people” he said. “He always had a smile and a warm greeting for you which uplifted anybody’s day.

He was a well-respected individual in both the sports and business communities of Cobourg and Port Hope. In his business, he attracted many people to Town with his knowledge and expertise.” Mr. Currelly remarked on the “tremendous amount of work” Mr. Sommerville devoted to the Town’s youth. “He sponsored many clubs. He always helped everyone,” he noted. “The whole family have been pillars of strength in the sporting fraternity.”

Mr. Spooner recalled that Mr. Sommerville “could never say no to anyone. He donated trophies, prizes, dinners as well as sponsored teams. And I’m sure he did lots of things for other groups that most of us never know about.” Mayor Joan Chalovich who knew Mr. Sommerville since the 50s, recalled “a terrific father and husband. He’s left an awful void.” she said. He had a strong commitment to his family, his business, the Cobourg community and the larger Northumberland community. He was a great citizen of Cobourg.”

Mr. Sommerville is survived by his wife Dorothy, children David and wife Mary of Cobourg, Nancy and husband Kevin of Belleville and Susan and husband Bill of Illinois. Sister Mary McLean lives in Peterborough. There are eight grandchildren. There will be no funeral service. Instead the family plans a later private celebration of his life. Donations to the Cobourg Hospital Foundation are requested in lieu of flowers.

Reviewed August 2020

Dennis Francis O’Brien was born June 10, 1949 in Port Hope. He learned his hockey in the Beaver Athletic Association and earned a spot on the 1967-68 Cobourg Cougar team that won the Eastern Junior B Hockey League championship. 1968-69 saw Dennis with the St Catharine’s Black Hawks of the OHA as a 19 year old. He played defense in 52 games with 235 penalty minutes.

Dennis, a 6 ft, 195 lb, left-handed defenseman, was chosen 14th overall in the 2nd round of the NHL draft by the Minnesota North Stars. He played 72 games in 1969-70 with the Iowa Stars of the Central Hockey League. He set a league record with 331 penalty minutes. Dennis started the next season with the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League.

He was called up and made his NHL debut for Minnesota on November 11, 1970 vs Los Angeles. Six days later he scored his first NHL goal against Glenn Hall at St. Louis. He played a further 27 regular season games and 9 playoff games.

Out of training camp at age 22 in 1971 Dennis was the youngest player to make the Minnesota roster. Over the next 5 seasons Dennis was a stalwart on defense He missed part of the 1974-75 season with torn ligaments in his knee and a broken thumb.

In 1973-74 he led the team with 166 penalty minutes. In 1975-76 he set a team record with 187 penalty minutes. In 1976-77 he led the team with 114 penalty minutes. That year he led team defensemen with 6 goals and 24 points.

On December 2, 1977 after 13 games Dennis was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche. He played 16 games until January 12, 1978 when he was traded to the Cleveland Barons. He played 23 games and on March 10, 1978 he was claimed off waivers by the Boston Bruins.

He played 16 regular season games and 14 playoff games for the Bruins. Dennis thus became the 1st player in NHL history to play for 4 different teams in the same season.

In the 1978-79 season Dennis played 64 games for the Bruins. On June 13, 1979 he was left unprotected in the NHL Expansion Draft. He was re-claimed after Bill Bennett was selected off the Bruins roster. The next season he played only 3 games for the Bruins and 6 with AHL Binghamton. His last NHL game was October 20, 1979 with Boston vs Los Angeles. He did not win a Stanley Cup but did get to the finals with Boston in 1978

Dennis O’Brien, Obie to his teammates, retired in 1980. He played in a total of 592 NHL regular season games and 34 playoff games. He scored 32 goals, 93 assists for 125 total points. He had 1,118 total penalty minutes.

Dennis joined the workforce at the Brookside Youth Centre in Cobourg. In 2002-03 he served as Assistant Coach of the Port Hope Predators of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. He is uncle to NHL player Shane O’Brien.

Reviewed August 2020

SKATING DOWN MEMORY LANE
By Layton Dodge
December 2002 Cobourg Daily Star

Thirty-seven eventful seasons of providing young men with the opportunity to excel at Canada’s favourite game and presenting junior hockey fans of all ages with lively entertainment virtually every Monday night for six to eight months annually relevant in length to the players ratio of success on the ice. That’s what the Cobourg Cougars are all about. The Cougars have encountered numerous peaks and valleys, twists and turns spanning five decades. Allow us to share some of our recollections with you.

Evolution of the Cougars can be divided into three distinct segments: the original six years of Junior B, the 21 winters of Junior C and now approaching the last one-third of their tenth regular schedule of tier II Junior A.

The vision of Ken (Coon) Medhurst and Dick Robinson, the team’s first coach and manager respectively, along with the community-minded leadership of businessmen Clarke Sommerville and Jeff Rolph, enabled the original Cougars to get off the ground and on to the ice in the autumn of 1965 with the cast of Cobourg’s two-time OMHA Midget AA finalists forming the nucleus.

Cougars joined the Eastern Ontario Junior B Hockey League and after missing the playoffs the first season, developed into a force culminating in a first-place finish in the 1967-68 regular season with a 19-9-4 record. Imagine the disappointment when arch rival Oshawa Crushmen eliminated that first-class team directed by Bob Fawcett in a memorable six-game series in the group final. A crowd of 3,500 viewed the high-scoring clincher at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium.

A sample of the many fine players from that Junior B era includes two-time league scoring champion Gord Kelly, Dennis O’Brien, John Gray, Gord Brooks, Brydon Elinsky, Bill Ryan, Steve Harold, Brian Gillis, Doug Campbell, Paul Massey, Rick Austin, Keith Boundy, Bob Hill, Paul Herriot, Larry Thompson, Eric Butter, Paul Gutteridge, Al Fenton, Dave Peers, Ron Smith, Reg Stevenson and Mike Kelly. From that group, O’Brien, Brooks, Gray and Smith all went on to play pro hockey while Fenton earned a hockey scholarship at Colgate University and Kelly coached the Italian national team before becoming GM of the OHL Guelph Storm, then a scout for the NHL Calgary Flames. Currently, he’s GM of Windsor Spitfires of the “O”.

The Junior B Cougars drew large crowds during those early years (20,145 in 22 home games in ’67-68) and rewarded them with an entertaining brand of hockey more often than not. With the passage of time and the graduation of key personnel, the Cougars experienced hard times for a couple of years and interest waned as a result. Faced with that stark reality and financial crunch, the decision-makers of the club figured that Junior C hockey was a more viable option since it would make the Cougars competitive again. They were right.

Joining the Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League in 1971, Cougars were a hit from the outset. In fact, the initial edition of Cobourg’s ‘C’ crew, under the stewardship of coach Vern MacGregor and manager Bob Olson, stunned group powerhouse Sutton South Shore Rangers in a seven-game, first-round playoff upset, ultimately earned the right to represent the league in provincial play downs and advanced all the way to the OHA Junior C finals where they were foiled by the powerful Leamington Flyers in five games. Only John Cane’s marvellous goaltending kept the Cougars from being swamped in that series.

The rest of that first Cougar Junior C cast included Bruce Sherwin (captain), Brian Connor, Ed Clarey, Terry Lewis, Jim Flesch, Bill Whitelaw, Paul Bevan, Garth Beer, Mike Irwin, Paul Clarey, Pat Cork, Kevin Lowe, Fred Dickey, Mike Thompson, John MacDonald and Tom Lewis.

In 1974, the Cougars achieved what no other Cobourg OHA team ever had accomplished – winning the OHA provincial championship in its category. That unprecedented and breath-taking march to the pinnacle in the province produced a treasure-chest of memories. After disposing of Kingston Voyageurs in seven games on the strength of four home-ice victories in the opening round of the provincial playoff trail as the Central Ontario league representatives, the Cougars flirted with disaster in the semi-finals, trailing Bradford Vasey’s 3-1 in games and behind by a goal in the waning moments of a do-or-die struggle at the Bradford bandbox.

Miraculously, they staged the mother of all comebacks inspired by the most famous goal in Cougar history. Terry Irwin triggered the life-saving goal with only three seconds left in regulation time to tie the score and send the game to OT, in which Cobourg prevailed. Thereafter, Cougars also won games 6 and 7 to advance to the Ontario Junior C final against Simcoe Jets.

Although Simcoe proved formidable to overcome, the Cougars were not to be denied. They dropped the series opener but recovered to reel off four straight wins, winning three in a row by a single goal before clinching the coveted crown on home ice by a 9-6 score. The celebration lasted for hours. Captain Terry Lewis, the league’s scoring king with 88 points, added 71 points in group and provincial playoffs to cap a sensational year. Other heroes included Jim Flesch, Ron Fowler, Brian Connor, Paul Bevan, Terry Irwin, Randy Fife, Stu Watson, Bill Whitelaw, Pat Rutherford, Garth Beer, Alex Calder, Doug Choiniere, Bob Stevenson and John Pollock.

Also contributing to the cause were Rob Dunn, Pat Kelly, Kim Linton, Dwight Beer, John Roffey and Garth Grosjean. Altogether, these classic Cougars regained the Central Ontario league title at the expense of arch rival Lindsay Muskies. Then it was on to the provincial quarter-finals against Dunnville Terriers in what turned out to be an epic seven-game series. Despite leading the round 2-1 and 3-2, Cougars eventually surrendered in game seven.

Personnel of that Cobourg squad included Marty Kernaghan, Ian Williams, Tom Sharpe, Mike Ryan, Brian Read, Gary Oliver, Rick and Randy Fife, John Buckley, Floyd Fennema, Don Davidson, Peter Briand, Paul Bevan, Alex Calder, Pat Rutherford, Bill Whitelaw and Rick Stevenson.

Cougars experienced a down period for the next three seasons. Following the ’78-79 season, Vern MacGregor (the most successful head coach in club history) vacated his post after eight years and ex-player Terry Lewis was handed the head coach’s reins to lead a Cougar revival as one decade ended and another began. Cougars responded with a first-place finish in the Central circuit with a 20-6-6 record.

They swept Beaverton Ice Hawks, erased Lindsay in five games and dethroned Bowmanville Eagles in seven games in the group final. However, in a bitterly contested provincial struggle, Cougars bowed to Gananoque G-Men, later found to have used over-age players. A record crowd of 2,300 crammed into Cobourg Memorial Arena for one of those memorable battles.

The 1980-81 Cougars posted a 27-6-3 regular season record to earn top spot in the standings but became entangled in a messy situation in the group final after knocking out Bewdley Rice Lake Rangers and Stouffville Clippers in the first two rounds. Deadlocked with Bowmanville Eagles at a game apiece in the group final, the series was turned into turmoil when Bowmanville protested the use of Cougars’ Jim West and Cobourg, along with Lindsay, countered by protesting the eligibility of Eagles’ Lorne Finney.

The OHA, in its infinite wisdom, ruled that Cobourg, Bowmanville and Lindsay engage in a three-team, home-and-home round-robin. Ultimately, Eagles emerged triumphant over the Cougars in the fifth and decisive game of the reconfigured final. Of note, centre Gord Sharpe won the league scoring crown with 104 points, a Cougar record that still stands. Sharpe later would go on to play with Clarkson University on a hockey scholarship.

Cougars placed third in the 1981-82 scheme of things with 25-10-1 long under the guidance of co-coaches Bryan Rose and Gus Bambridge. Cobourg captain Dave Waldie was selected the league’s best player exemplifying leadership and sportsmanship. Waldie enjoyed a good Major A Junior A career in ensuing years with Cornwall Royals and Portland Winterhawks.

The Cougars struggled mightily for the next three seasons, except for Les Bowness who was named the Central League’s 1984-85 rookie of the year, Cobourg climbed above the .500 mark in the 1985-86 regular season with a 13-11-4 third-place showing under the guidance of coach Ron Johnson. In group playoffs, Cougars swept Port Perry MoJacks in the first round and erased Port Hope Panthers in six games, backstopped by Scott Birkhof, but faltered in the Central final, bowing out to Lakefield Chiefs four games to two.

Attendance improved significantly at home games to a total of 10,899, an increase of 4,600 over the previous season. Cougars than floundered for five seasons, missing Junior C league playoffs for the first time in their history with a 16-21-3 record in 1988-89 and bringing up the rear in the seven-team, 1990-91 Central circuit with only 11 wins. Up was the only direction Cougars could go in 1991-92 and that’s precisely what they did, climbing to fourth spot with 20-13-1 credentials. They made a quick exit from playoffs though, lasting just five first-round games before capitulating to Bowmanville Eagles.

That marked the end of the Junior C era for the hard-strapped Cobourg team. While the Cougars endured slim pickings on the ice and at the box office during much of the second half of their Junior C days, there were still a plethora of players who shone during the club’s Junior C successes and struggles. Among them were Eddie Clarey, Carl Deline, Morris Petherick, Wayne Rorabeck, Kyle Campbell, John Crowley, Mike Gibson, Peter and Ian Williams, Tim Fawcett, Jeff Waldie, Pat Ryan, Shawn Turland, the West Brothers (Jim, Ray, Rob and Dave), the Murphy brothers (Scott, Ray and Chad), the Choiniere brothers (Doug, Phil and Paul), the Diminie brothers (Steve, Todd and Jason), Randy Sughrue, Blaine Darling, Ron Pedergnana, Doug Smith, Richard Tryon, Jim Goody, Mark Vilneff, Jeff Wannamaker, Al Maclean, Geoff Fleming, Dan Guernsey, Kevin Williams, Trevor Clapperton, Gary Oliver, Larry Oakley, Kevin McAlpine, Jason Holland, Ian Smith, Glen Davis, Phil Hennessey, Mark Flesch, Jason Riehl, Rob Turland, Ken Stevenson, Rob Harnden, Gary Hope, Steve Witteveen, Jeff Timlin, Jim Saddler, Bill Shannon, Rick Palmateer, Tom Heffernan, Steve Jones, Terry Barrett, Jody Wellwood, Rob Doncaster, Peter Lorenz, Rob Thomas, John Thompson, Mike Esser, Kent Douglas, the Bruce brothers (Barry, Garry and Brian), Richard Ferguson, Dave Bedard, Dean Longyear, Pat Sweet, Charles Brooks, Marvin Robillard and Steve Dawe, along with a raft of others.

Feeling that a change of scenery and a new challenge were necessary to restore interest and revive the franchise, the Cougars took a calculated gamble in 1992 and applied for entry into the Provincial Junior A (tier II) League. New president Rod Baker’s energy and leadership had a lot to do with Cobourg’s acceptance. Once that was confirmed, Baker also got a commitment from Ron Johnson to return to the Cougars, this time in the capacity of general manager.

Not surprisingly, the expansion Cougars suffered growing pains during that first Junior A season but despite a dismal 8-37-3 record, it wasn’t until the second-last game of the schedule that the Cougars were officially eliminated from the post season. The Cougars iced a vastly upgraded edition in 1993-94, improving to 17-20-3 for a sixth-place finish and a date with Markham Waxers in the first round of playoffs. They dropped the first two games of the round but rebounded to take the next four, climaxed by a double overtime win in game six, to win the series. Orillia Terriers proved too much for Cougars in the semi-finals though.

That set back diminished though in the wake of the tragic death of 16-year-old defenceman B. J. Monro in an automobile accident south of Picton prior to game two.

Brian Drumm was hired as coach for the 1994-95 campaign and Cougars finished very strong after Christmas to wind up a solid fourth overall in the East Division. Cougars rode their momentum to sweep past Collingwood Blues in the division quarter-finals before submitting to the powerful Newmarket 87’s in the semis. Two players, perhaps the most skilled ever to lace up the skates for the Cougars in the decade of Junior A, earned league accolades. Shawn Allard, an 82-point man (48 of them goals) in just 34 games played and only 26 minutes served in penalties, was recognized as the most gentlemanly player in the league while Oto Hlincik, with 79 points from 33 goals and 46 assists in 39 starts, collected the most improved player award.

Cougar pride and fan support mushroomed thanks to the efforts of players like the aforementioned duo along with Dan Mundell, Geravin Sytnyk, Ryan Stewart, Derek Wright, Bob Rupoza, Cory Holland, Darryl Latoski, Jonathan Smith, Shaun Scott, Steve Dyer, Richard Tapajna, Allan Stewart, Jeremy Schott, Shane Boisvert, Andrew Butler, Adrian Saul, Troy MacAusland, Mike Bullock, Martyn Curtis, Chad Thompson, Luke Breckenridge, Jerrold Harvey, Brad Cicala, Eric Pettipas, Cameron MacDonald, Lenny Moniz and Ben Jovkovic.

Fourth-place finishers in the division in 1995-96, the underdog Cougars completed the schedule at 21-27-2 but again faced the mighty Newmarket 87’s in the playoffs, extending them to the seven-game limit this time. Cougars hosted the Central Canadian Tier II Junior A championships for the Dudley Hewitt Cup spring of 1996, making it to the semi-finals. Ironically, Newmarket delivered the knockout blow.

The next two seasons proved to be trying ones, almost forgettable in fact, as they missed the playoffs both years. Things began to look up though with the return of Brian Drumm from the OHL to take on the job of head coach. He’s added the title of director of hockey operations to his portfolio since then. Cougars finished eighth in 1999, fourth in the Eastern Conference in 2000 and fifth last season. Each time, they bowed out of playoffs in the first round.

As of mid December of this season, Cougars appear headed for their highest finish ever in a decade of tier II Junior A competition thanks in large part to a 15-0-0 record at home and overall stats of 24-8-3, good for second spot with 51 points. An added bonus is the marked increase in local player content. A playoff position is secure but the parity of the league is such that there is no guarantee of post season success.

Let it be noted that the Cobourg Cougars are the only community-owned team in the East Conference that counts on a myriad of sponsors, especially the generosity of major benefactor Ken Goodwin of Fisher’s Knechtel Foodland, and the support of the general public at the turnstiles as well as the unwavering efforts of a hard-working executive to remain fiscally viable in a small market. Otherwise, Cougars could not fly but soon would crash and burn.

The tier II Cougars can take pride in having served as a stepping stone for many players to further their hockey careers and education in the OHL and at universities, often on hockey scholarships.

Notable players in Cougars’ 10-year existence as a Junior A entity include Andrew Clark, Simon Sherry, Doug Wright, Jason Colasante, Todd Aird, Tim Lacey, Barrie Pilgrim, Ryan Serra, Darryl Buttar, Dave Burroughs, Rob McLean, P.J. Michael, Geoff Schmogyi, David Shaw, Blair Sherrit, Jason Wakely, Rob Blain, Steve Smith, Wes Eriksson, Jody Whelan, Paul Dowe, Jason Wilson, Troy Thompson, Shane Diamond, Shaun Scott, Andrew Sim, Randy Jones, John Foley, Brock Yates, Peter and Paul Flache, Brent Kelly, Casey VanSchagen, Jarrett Winn, Darren Doherty, Matt Chafe, Ryan Toms, Kevin Rainey, Brandon Merkoskey, Chris Hardill, Chris Petrow, Matt Simmons, Steve Thomas, Rob Simpson, Brad Whelan, Theo Zacour, John Clarke, Matt Manias, Chris Shea and Ryan Gibb.

But enough of the past and present. The future awaits for the Cougars with new faces, new adventures, new challenges, new hopes. Let’s get on with it and may the only stipulation be that the puck bounces kindly.

Reviewed August 2020

Lynn Bottoms was born July 2, 1933 in Calgary Alberta. Lynn attended the University of Washington playing with the Huskies football team in the Pacific Coast Conference. Following graduation Lynn signed with his hometown Calgary Stampeders in 1954.

He played both offensive and defensive halfback. In his rookie year Bottoms had 379 yards rushing and caught 30 passes for another 368 yards. He also had one interception. Besides playing offense and defense, Bottoms saw action returning kicks, and was normally among the division leaders in punt returns. In that first year he won the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy for Best Canadian Rookie in the West.

In 1955 he had 402 yards rushing to lead the Stamps. In 1956 he had 332 yards rushing. And in 1957 he had 326 yards rushing. In 1955 Lynn had 252 yards returning kickoffs, punts and missed field goals. In 1956 he had 248 yards and in 1957 he had 113 yards. He had the honour of representing the Western Canadian Football League in three Shrine All Star Games.

In 1960 Lynn was traded to the Toronto Argonauts. He played in 40 games as a defensive half plus 5 playoff games. In 1961 he had 251 yards returned on punts and kickoffs and missed field goals. In 1962 he had 319 yards. In 1963 he had 156 yards. Lynn retired after the 1963 season. Over his ten-year career with Calgary and Toronto, Lynn rushed for 1,560 yards, caught 96 passes and had 12 interceptions.

After retiring from football, Lynn and his family moved to the Cobourg area and Lynn became a welding/tech teacher at Cobourg District Collegiate East from the mid-1960s until the late 1980s. He was a much loved and respected teacher while at the school and of course, was heavily involved as a coach in their football program.

“Lynn Bottoms...he would show us video of himself when he played for the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argos. He knew how to relate to the class which was made up of mostly guys that really didn't want to be in school and for the most part caused a bit of trouble whenever possible. He was tough but fair and he had our respect. He had a go kart track near Grafton and he barred me for life after I wrecked one of his karts.” (Former student on Tree52)

Lynn also became very involved in local sports, playing fastball, old timers’ hockey and golf. He had only one speed in any of his athletic endeavours - “Full Out”. He was fun to be around.

Lynn Bottoms died of a heart infection on December 22, 1995.

Lynn Bottoms was a small man by football standards but was oh so rugged, by any standard.

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Memories About a Legend

I first met Lynn in January 1976 when I became Vice Principal at Cobourg East.

January is an unusual time to move into this position. September is more a reality. The staff was guarded in their welcome as they thought someone from Cobourg was going to get the position. Lynn broke the ice by coming to me at the office to welcome me and offer his support. He engaged me in his conversation and made me feel a part of the team. This was a special talent that he had. It was appreciated by me. 

I recall one occasion when Lynn came into my office to say he would be late for school the next day as he had to go to the Cobourg hospital to have his big toes broken and straightened out. This was a result of pro football injuries. I could not imagine anyone even thinking about coming in to teach right after that morning procedure even if there was freezing. 

I told him to take time off until the pain subsided. He would have none of that and so at about 9:15 in came Lynn with bandaged toes and slippers on, to start teaching. It was not a pretty sight but he persevered and taught for the whole day. He had immense pain tolerance!

Lynn, naturally, coached the school football team. His assistant coaches mentioned that they would be watching their players performing in the game. Not Lynn. He would be focused on the opposing team, looking for weaknesses and when he spotted one, he focused on his team exploiting it until the other team adjusted. Perhaps that is why he had great success as a coach. That, and his ability to make every player feel a vital part of the team.

Athletic banquets, at the East, were always interesting. Lynn would get as guest speakers retired Argo players like Danny Nykoluk or NHLers like Bobby Hull. These former athletes wanted to be there with Lynn.

Lynn came late to the game of hockey but that never stopped him from entering the fray full bore. He decided he needed to improve his shot so he made metal pucks and set up a plywood sheet at the shed at his home with the outline of a net and practiced his shot.

He played whatever position the team wanted him to - forward, defence or goalie. He was the heart and spirit of any team he was on. He only knew one way to play - full out and with a great big smile.

One of the staff told me of Lynn playing basketball in the town league and literally tackling the opposing player with the ball. His comment was starkly “well, he had the ball” and then, a roar of laughter!

One of the funniest memories of Lynn was his organization of having the male staff at the East attend a Blue Jay game. Lynn had an old school bus which was painted light blue and this was to be our transportation up to Toronto. Lynn had taken all the seats out and replaced them with tables and chairs so we could play cards. He also had put in a bbq with a vent coming out the back.

Most of the fellows got on board at Lynn’s home in Grafton but Lynn said he would pick me up at my house. Being new to the staff I had no concept about the bus but assumed it was a coach. When it arrived in front of our house on Hamilton Ave our four young children and Suzanne came to the door to see us off. Lynn, in the driver’s seat, opened the school bus door and waved at me to get on board. My son John said to Suzanne “look mom at all the beer cases beside the bus driver! “ 

Anyways, off we went to the game, playing cards and hoping Lynn did not have to apply the brakes too harshly. There were problems with the motor but nothing major. Upon arriving at the stadium parking lot, on came the bbq and we feasted on hamburgers, etc. I am not sure if the Blue Jays won but after the game off we went up the Don Valley Expressway. 

Halfway up, the motor conked out and there we were in the right lane, stalled! Cars were swerving around us and, thankfully a Toronto police cruiser arrived to assist us. By this time Lynn had the hood up and with the assistance of others was trying to unclog the gas line. The police officer said he would put flares out on the DVP to save us from a rear-ender. He risked his life setting them out. 

Little did he know that Lynn had fixed the problem and had started driving away. We looked out the back window to see the officer fading in the distance, looking up at us and bolting to his car. When he caught up to us with all his lights glowing, he was not happy and told us so in no uncertain words and to get the bus off the DVP ASAP. We approached the Don Mills exit and Lynn said “Everyone out and push”. We finally got to a garage, got the bus fixed and arrived back in Cobourg very late but safe!

On another occasion, Lynn invited all the male staff out to his house for cards, etc. We were having a great time but as eleven o’clock came we were getting ready to call it a night. It was then that Lynn announced that he had flood lights in the back yard and we were going to finish off the evening with a touch football game. Needless to say, Lynn’s idea of touch was different than most. It was well after twelve that the game gratefully ended. 

I am sure there are literally hundreds of other funny tales that others could tell. There are probably many stories of how he helped kids at school. He was loved by all. He was someone you were lucky to know. He was kind, he was generous of thought and deed. He knew only one way to tackle life - full on and with abandonment. He was a LEGEND!

by Peter Delanty

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Just a Couple of Many Fond Memories

One summer evening I got a phone call from Lynn Bottoms asking if I would like to play 9 holes of golf the next morning. I told him I was sorry but I had to work the next morning. He replied “So do I.” 

“Well” I asked, “how are we going to play 9 holes of golf and still get to work on time?” “That’s easy” he replied, “Just bring 4 clubs – a driver, a couple of irons and a putter. We’ll each hit 2 balls and then run down the fairway to our respective balls, hit them again and then run again.”

We proceeded to do this for every hole on the old 9 hole golf course at the corner of Division and Elgin Streets. We started at 6:00 am and were finished at about 7:20 am. There was time to go home, have a shower and off to work on time.

There was only one “Bot”. He was an absolute bundle of energy and so much fun to be around.

*************

This story also took place in the warmer months. We had a fastball team that played in Grafton. There were a few Cobourg guys but it was mostly made up of Grafton players such as Tony Beauchamp, John Eagleson, Jim Helps, Mike and Rick Hall and others. One of the unique customs of the team was to return to different homes after each game to sip a few coolies and partake in some fun stuff like horseshoes, swimming, etc. 

Well, the night we went to Lynn’s house he had 2 basketball nets set up and we picked teams for a little competition. Well into the wee hours of the morning Len “Pancho” Bazay drove to the basket for a layup. Lynn being Lynn went up aggressively to block him. Pancho’s head caught Lynn right on the cheekbone and badly cut him. Game over?? No way!! “Bot” went into the house and found a large box of gauze. We wrapped it around his head several times and then held it in place with electrical tape. The game went on for another hour or so. Everyone went home. The “Bot” went to the hospital, got 8 stitches in his cheek and then went off to teach his classes. What a man!! And as tough as they come!!

by Ross Quigley

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Lynn Bottoms - One Of A Kind

December 9, 1996 in Cobourg Daily Star

I wrote this article a few days after Lynn Bottoms’ death on December 22nd, 1995, and just filed it away. But a year has passed and, as we approach the first anniversary of his passing, please consider this my memorial tribute to a unique character and a devoted lover of life.

Many of you knew Lynn Bottoms much better than I. But I’ll wager that few knew him any longer.

I first met Lynn in the early ‘60s when he was an MBA student at the U of T and a Toronto Argonauts star. Within minutes of our introduction, I knew instinctively that this was one warm and affable human being – entirely devoid of pretension. A first impression that endured.

In those early years, I was often a fourth for euchre in the little semi in west Toronto that the young Bottoms family called home. I remember Lynn’s endless energy and how mere mortals were cajoled into playing long after any reasonable person would succumb to fatigue.

Lynn was of average stature – but ox strong. I’ll never forget the arm wrestle to the finish - a brief break in one of those interminable euchre tournaments. Bottles and playing cards flew in all directions. It ended when Lynn’s adversary extricated his hand from the death grip to display an oddly contorted, less-than-mint-condition index finger. No matter. A mere diversion. The cards continued until first light. 

Shortly after that, Lynn retired from football and moved to Cobourg. A couple of months later, three of his “old buddies” visited for a weekend and a little R and R. Some R and R! By contrast, the Ironman Triathlon is for sissies. 

We went almost nonstop for the entire time. From one athletic competition to another. Touch football, two on two basketball, ball hockey, baseball. 

Then the cycle would repeat itself again and again. Of course, Lynn would let us do just well enough to save face, but it was obvious who the real athlete was. 
After dark – euchre, euchre, euchre. Finally – sleep. But scarcely had we closed our eyes when daylight and Lynn returned. Raring to go.

Some of you may remember the old go-cart track which once occupied the field opposite Lynn’s house on Highway 2 east of town. Sunday morning business at the track was slow and Lynn decided that this would be a fine opportunity to take on the little old lady who ran the place. 

He rode his dirt bike across the road and issued the challenge. I will always remember the sight of that grandmother in her cart and Lynn on his bike, neck and neck, careening wildly around the track. And the sound of Lynn’s maniacal laughter audible above the roar of the air-cooled engines. That was the last I was to see of Lynn for years.

In the mid “70s, I moved to this area and renewed my acquaintanceship with Lynn. But we usually only crossed paths on the street or at some education-related function. Still, he remained the same gregarious, ebullient character I had met years earlier. He never knew how to be unfriendly or how to slow down.

About 15 months ago, Lynn had his first brush with illness. When I last saw him back in June, he looked great. I wondered if anyone had ever been less compromised by heart problems. But now he is gone. It is hard to believe that this incredible bundle of energy will never play another game of old-timer hockey, laugh madly at some crazy prank or crush my hand in an enthusiastic greeting.

We can be sure of one thing though. If a zest for life and a love of people count for anything, Lynn Bottoms is sitting up on a cloud at this very moment – a big smile on that broad face of his as he plans his next game of five-a-side football. And once the whistle blows, even the angels had better keep their heads up.

by George Smith

Reviewed August 2020

The Honourable Ron Smith, twice elected as mayor of his home town, Port Hope, was once Ron Smith, the Cobourg Cougar left-handed defenseman. Ron Robert Smith was born November 19, 1952. Raised in Port Hope he played his minor hockey through the Beaver Athletic Association. He became a member of the Cobourg Cougars for the 1968-69 season when they were part of the Eastern Ontario OHA Junior B League.

He clearly impressed because the next year, at just 16 years old, he played defence in 15 games with the St. Catherine’s Black Hawks of the Ontario Hockey League. Early in the 1970-71 season Ron was traded to the Sorel Eperviers (formerly Black Hawks) of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He played in 42 regular season games and 6 playoff games.

Prior to the 1971-72 season Ron was traded to the Cornwall Royals also in the QMJHL. There he helped the Royals go from a last place finish the previous year to a first-place finish in the league standings. After winning the playoffs vs the Quebec Remparts, the Royals advanced to the prestigious Memorial Cup. There they outfought a strong Peterborough Petes team, winning in the final game by a score of 2-1, and were crowned Canadian Junior Hockey Champions.

During that season, Smith contributed 35 points in the regular season and another 7 during the playoff run. He had 279 minutes in penalties; 86 more than the next closest player John Wensink.

Smith was selected by the New York Islanders in the 4th round, 49th overall in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft. He no doubt had high hopes, but they don't always work out right away! He did play 11 games for the expansion Islanders, totaling 1 goal and 1 assist and 14 minutes in penalties. But most of that season was spent with the New Haven Nighthawks, the Islanders' affiliate team in the American Hockey League. There he had 6 goals and 11 assists in 53 games.

For the 1973-74 season Smith was sent to the Fort Worth Wings of the Central Professional Hockey League. He played in 72 games. 1974-75 the team was called the Fort Worth Texans and Ron played in 75 games. For the 1975-76 season Ron played in Sweden for the Bodens BK in the Sweden 1st Division. The next season Ron returned to North America and played with the Erie, Pennsylvania Blades of the North American Hockey League. Only playing in 8 games Ron retired as a professional hockey player.

Ron returned home to serve as Port Hope’s mayor for two terms, 1994-2000.

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Out Of Line
By Layton Dodge
January 22, 1969 Cobourg Sentinel-Star

THE PORT HOPE BEAVER ATHLETIC Association may have bitten off more than it can chew in the now celebrated case defined here simply as the Smith-Racine affair.

In a monumental hockey blunder which would do the Russians justice, the BAA - through its ill-advised refusal to grant releases to defencemen Ron Smith and Paul Racine of Cobourg's junior B Cougars and its three month waiting period before bringing the matter to a head - has managed within a very few days to anger, amaze and alienate a sizeable portion of the sensible-thinking sporting populace in both Port Hope and Cobourg. Regrettably, the BAA has only succeeded in giving itself a black eye.

According to reliable informants, certain factions within the BAA began to whisper when Cougars collected $300 for Dennis O'Brien's release to St. Catharines and didn't see fit to hand over part of that amount to the minor hockey group with which O'Brien served the bulk of his apprenticeship. Privately, they fretted that Cougars would reap all the dividends if O'Brien, or any other Port Hope boy on Cougars' roster, eventually was drafted by the NHL. Obviously, they were unfamiliar with the new pro-am agreement.

Some BAA officers became even more disenchanted, it is reported, when they learned Cougars had donated $400 to the Cobourg Church League for player development and gave them none. So, it seems the BAA's original gripe was strictly monetary. Yet the BAA sat on its discontent and let the issue slide - until January when less than a quorum of the executive finally decided it treasured the players more than peaceful co-existence or cold cash. Only then did the blissfully unaware Cougars learn of the BAA's unrest and friction.

Indeed, if the BAA had blown the whistle on Smith and Racine back in October and sought financial re-imbursement at that time or even to retain the boys' playing rights, it might have won a debatable point and gained some needed capital, with comparatively little fuss. The BAA's latest grievous error occurred nine days ago when it rejected - for selfish, stubborn reasons to negotiate with Cougars after junior B manager Clarke Sommerville offered to pay for Smith and Racine's releases. By refusing to come to the bargaining table, the BAA again passed up an opportunity to salvage some self-respect and save face.

If it had jumped at the chance, the whole controversy would have been quickly forgotten. Instead, the rebuff by the BAA apparently infuriated Ron Smith's father, Bob, who now lives in Toronto. Mr. Smith, a former tower of strength on the BAA executive who organized several successful Young Canada Nights in Port Hope in the early 1960s, hired lawyer John Bowles, an associate of Alan Eagleson, in an effort to get clearance for his son and Racine. Bowles is an ex-executive member of the Ontario Hockey Association.

The conflict burst into province-wide print on Saturday in a six-column story published in the Toronto Star: In it, Smith went to bat for the pair of 16-year-olds but suggested no legal action was planned unless "all other avenues are exhausted." BAA president Aubrey Austin refused to comment on the affair other than to say "this is going on all over the country." However, I defy Mr. Austin to pinpoint one other instance where a minor hockey group waited until the boys in dispute had played two-thirds of a season before bringing up the matter of releases.

In the article, Bill Hanley, OHA business manager, accepted the blame for passing Smith and Racine's certificates without releases. He advised that the boys should appeal to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, a governing body which previously had indicated no appeal could be lodged. Hanley even went so far as to telephone Sommerville Saturday morning to clear up the confusion in this regard.

For an organization that spawned two professional players in less than a decade, the Port Hope BAA has shown shocking short-sightedness and stupidity in pouncing on a technicality resulting from an incredible series of unfortunate mistakes and using it to try and stall the advancement of two native sons up the hockey ladder.

I'm sure Jim Roberts and Paul Terbenche would be the first ones to admit that any player worth his salt doesn't remain in midget hockey when he can make it in junior. The fact is Cougars need Ron Smith and Paul Racine now. The fact is Smith and Racine are most unlikely to want to play for Port Hope Midgets, regardless, now.

The fact is the Port Hope Beaver Athletic Association is away out of line now.

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So Sorry
By Layton Dodge
January 29, 1969  Cobourg Sentinel-Star

In the interests of Cobourg Cougars' Junior B Hockey Club in general, and defencemen Ron Smith and Paul Racine in particular, this reporter, after considerable soul-searching, hereby issues a public apology to the Port Hope Beaver Athletic Association and to three of its officers - namely George Cawker, Aubrey Austin and Andy McLauchlan - for published remarks regarding the recent controversy about releases for the two aforementioned players.

Now that this "so sorry" business is out of the way, I feel an explanation is in order.

The reason for the retraction is simple. It was a stipulation laid down by the Port Hope BAA at a January 23 meeting. Only after I signed a letter promising to print a public apology would releases for the two boys be forthcoming. I did just that last Friday, and Smith and Racine were in Cougars' lineup on Sunday. Upon learning of this unreasonable, rather outrageous demand, my first inclination was to tell the Port Hope BAA to go to hell. But that wouldn't have helped.

So I swallowed my integrity and pride and agreed to apologize because: (a) it was for the sake of the boys and for the benefit of the junior B club; (b) it shows that BAA executives (there are a couple of exceptions) were more concerned about their own image than they were about the players' welfare; (c) I don't think the BAA really expected me to do it; (d) I didn't want it said Layton Dodge stood in the way of a settlement. Undoubtedly, it was the toughest decision I've ever had to make as a sportswriter in 11-and-a-half years on the job. I only hope I did the right thing.

Reviewed August 2020