Hewitt Wins Reynolds Award

Dale Hewitt holds up the Nugget Shield NDA Hockey Trophy after defeating the West Ferris Trojans in the final game in overtime last year. Hewitt's club won both the NDA and NOSSA hockey championships in 2005. Photo by Chris Dawson.

North Bay¹s Dale Hewitt had a banner year in 2005. He coached the Algonquin Barons hockey team to the Nipissing District Association championship, the NOSSA OA/AA¹ title for the first time in the school¹s history and a solid effort in the OFSAA championship, where the Barons exited in the quarter-finals.

As a result of these accomplishments, Hewitt has been named winner of the Judge Harry J. Reynolds Memorial Trophy for dedication to hockey.

Hewitt has coached hockey for 25 years in one capacity or another, both at the minor hockey and high school level, often running multiple teams in those years.

"It has always been rewarding, but difficult at times to balance the time commitment," Hewitt said.

"Some years the coaching involved more than 150 games plus practices."

Hewitt has coached both his sons, Nathan and Darren, at all levels, including the 2005 NDA and NOSSA championships.

"I couldn¹t have written a better script to win a first-time championship for the school (NOSSA title) with the two boys on the team. That was a bonus," Hewitt said.

An Algonquin graduate, Hewitt played NCAA Division II hockey at Colby College in Waterville, Me., before returning to North Bay to begin a teaching and coaching career. He began with the Barons hockey team in 1985-86, when they captured the NDA championship. He has also coached ball hockey and in-line hockey, and has operated a summer hockey development camp
for the last several years.

Hewitt is committed to coaching in the future.

"I would like to continue until the day I retire, if not longer," Hewitt said.

He will receive the Reynolds Trophy at the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame induction and awards dinner, April 22nd at the Best Western in North Bay.

Submitted to BayToday.ca