Don grew up in the small town of Deloraine, Manitoba where he lived a half block away from the Doc Bonar Arena and started skating at the age of 3. He was a very gifted athlete and enjoyed playing all sports, but hockey was his true passion. He had dreamed of playing in the National Hockey League and fulfilled that dream at age 20 when he signed a professional contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Don played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League for three seasons before playing 10 years of professional hockey in the NHL, AHL, and Europe. He retired after the 1990-91 season due to a serious knee injury that he sustained years prior. Don and his wife, Nadine, and his three boys moved back to Deloraine in 1994 where he became heavily involved in volunteering his time to developing young hockey players throughout Southwestern Manitoba. He worked with the local senior team and the Southwest Midget AAA Cougars. Don also established The Breakfast Club program throughout small communities in Manitoba where young players would come out twice per week before school to work on skills. Don and many other coaches donated their time to help players grow their game and work on skill development. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Don and be able to call him a mentor. He loved to be out on the ice sharing his knowledge and love for the game with anyone who wanted to improve. He was incredibly passionate and had so much to offer to young players. I, and many other players that were lucky enough to work with him, will be forever grateful for all the time and effort he put into making us better hockey players.

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