Cheers, claps and whistles from almost 10,000 fans filled the Civic Centre March 15, although the hype was not all for the Ottawa 67s, who are heading to the playoffs.
After 32 years of coaching the Ottawa 67s, head coach Brian Kilrea, known as Killer, was behind the bench for his final regular-season game.
And the team did not disappoint, defeating the Kingston Frontenacs 5-3. The win March 15 was the 40th of the season for the 67s, making this Kilrea’s 12th season with more than 40 wins.
The 67s are in third place in Ontario Hockey League (OHL) eastern conference, so Kilrea can be seen coaching for at least four more games as the 67s face the Niagara Ice Dogs in a best-of-seven first round of the playoffs.
Kilrea has had a successful run with the 67s, winning over 1,000 games and two Memorial Cups. Kilrea said he is honoured the 67s gave him the opportunity to coach in the first place.
“I was born here in Ottawa and, really, whatever we’ve done, we’re representing Ottawa as well as the Ottawa 67s. So I am proud of the fact that I am from Ottawa and proud to be an ambassador, in a way, through sports, of our city,” he said.
Kilrea has also won two national coach-of-the-year awards and is the only junior hockey coach to have a plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Pat Whalen, president and CEO of the Ottawa 67s, said Kilrea has taken the 67s from being an average junior hockey team to the leading junior franchise in Canada.
Kilrea will be remembered for many things, including his tough coaching style, but his successes off the ice will be remembered, by fans and the 67s franchise, as much as those on the ice.
“People always talk about the ex-NHL players that he’s produced over the years, but for every one of those, there’s probably about 20 boys that he’s turned into men,” Whalen said. “And that’s to me the real story about Brian Kilrea. That’s his legacy.”
Long-time fan Ian McSorley, who has been a season-ticket holder for the past 10 years, echoed Whalen’s sentiments on turning the boys, that come to the team at 16, into men when they leave.
“I guess I’d be his only failure then, because I came here as kid and I still seem to be the boy inside of me,” McSorley said.
Through Kilrea’s four decades with the 67s, he as seen the likes of Bobby Smith, Doug Wilson, and Senator Brendan Bell, pass through his dressing room.
Like his career, his pre-game retirement ceremony was graced by stars. CBC sportscaster Don Cherry, who
played with Kilrea for the Springfield Indians, commented, via video with Ron MacLean, on Kilrea’s career and coaching style.
Former 67s goaltender and Phoenix sportscaster Darren Pang also sent a video congratulating Kilrea on his retirement. The video included comments from Wayne Gretzky, who said Kilrea’s coaching style was “ahead of his time.”
In honour of Kilrea’s commitment to the team and the community, a teaching wing at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) will be named after him, thanks to a $25,000 donation by the Ottawa 67s and the OHL.
“I’m happy that he’s finally getting his retirement. I’m sad as a fan, because next year coming, it’s going be the same fun and everything, it just won’ t be the same game without him behind the bench – hearing the odd barking from him at the referees or the players,” McSorley said.
But Kilrea won’t be gone from the team completely, as he will stay on as general manager.