North Bay lost a true sportsman, coach and gentleman Tuesday, Jan. 2nd with the passing of Danny Wilkes at the age of 91.
Danny passed with his family by his side at Cassellholme.
See: WILKES, Daniel Harold "Danny"
According to the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame website, "Danny Wilkes was born in Kirkland Lake and played junior and professional hockey before arriving in North Bay to play Senior with the Black Hawks and work for Ontario Hydro. He also played with the Senior Trappers and the Temiskaming Royals as well as the North Bay Oldtimers.
"He was a talented fastball player, spending a decade in the Gateway League with several teams before a badly broken leg forced his retirement in 1963.
"He became involved with North Bay Minor Hockey as a coach and played a major role in building the Elks playground rink and change house and served as a hockey and ball coach at the playground for a number of years.
"Wilkes was one of a small group of individuals who organized and developed the West Ferris Minor Hockey Association in the early 1960’s. He served as the first President in 1964 and spent several years on the board and coaching. In 1973 Andre Rochefort purchased the Trapper Junior franchise and hired Wilkes as Director of Player Personnel, a position he held until the end of the decade. The club won the POHA title in 1976 and Wilkes’ unerring eye for talent sent the likes of Jimmy Fox and Gaston Gingras on to the NHL.
"From 1984 through 1989 Danny served as a scout for the OHL North Bay Centennials and Bert Templeton. For four seasons in the mid-1990’s, he scouted for the OHL Barrie Colts. Danny Wilkes was involved in the local sporting scene as player, coach, executive, and scout for a half-century."
