Page 28 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 28

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Gilmour Still A Fan Favourite

By Todd Anderson

ne of the greatest sports
Opersonalities in Cornwall history
was back in the city on January 28,
and he brought a gift with him.

NHL Hall of Famer Doug
Gilmour, a former scoring star with
the Cornwall Royals championship
teams in the early 1980s, was in
town at Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill to
present city dignitaries with a cheque
for $10,000 as part of the franchise’s
“If your Team Wins, Your Community
Wins” promotion.

As Gilmour entered Shoeless
Joe’s, a PA announcer declared, “One
of the best players of all time, Mr.
Doug Gilmour is in the building.”
Most of the packed house stood and
applauded. Gilmour then took his
time to meet every one of them to sign
autographs, pose for photographs and
share jokes and stories.
Former NHL and Cornwall Royals star Doug Gilmour, second from left, was joined for dinner at Shoeless
“I was blessed to play the game, Joe’s Sports Grill with, from left, good friend, Cornwall Colts owner, general manager and head coach Ian
that’s the bottom line,” said Gilmour. MacInnis, Al Brown, Brennan Bilmer and Nick Fell. Photo credit: Todd Anderson
“My parents were blue collar. They
league teams growing up, he went them wrong. Your critics, you don’t “Just growing up as a hockey player
worked in the penitentiary system on to dominate the Ontario Hockey hide, you get mad. Work ethic is the and to see number 93 and how much
in Kingston. They taught me great
League with the Cornwall Royals most important thing.” he did as a player--I was always one
values. You’re not bigger than for two seasons (he also played with of those little guys, so he was a guy I
anybody else. To see support like this Gilmour, who now serves as general

tonight, it means more to me than Cornwall in his first year as a junior manager of the Ontario Hockey looked up to. I appreciate how ‘home
hockey player when they participated town’ he is. He’s not a big city guy.”
people know.” League’s Kingston Frontenacs,
in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey
arrived at Shoeless Joe’s with good Cameron’s friend, and fellow
Gilmour was happy to return to his League) before he was drafted by the
friend Ian MacInnis, the Cornwall Cornwall native Joe Manley says he
old stomping grounds. St. Louis Blues in the seventh round,
Colts owner, general manager and has a positive outlook on Gilmour
“I look back at winning the 134th overall, in the 1982 NHL Entry head coach. MacInnis looked back and other NHL players.
Draft.
Memorial Cup here. I played with at their childhood days growing up “This is cool. It’s my first time

guys like Dale Hawerchuck and The diminutive centreman went on together as hockey players. meeting him. I met Chad Kilger
Scott Arniel. It was amazing. I was to play 1474 NHL games and record before. These guys are so down
“We met as 5-year-olds and have
here early (during his January 28 1414 points. He was a Stanley Cup to Earth. A lot of people won’t be
been good friends since then. All
visit) and I had fun driving down Pitt winner with the Calgary Flames bothered doing this kind of thing. It’s
those scoring records, he was such
Street, around my old neighbourhood in 1989 and in 2011 he was named nice to see him here.”
a willing player. We grew up with a
and going to the Blue Anchor for to the Hockey Hall of Fame. There great foundation. We loved playing Once Gilmour was done meeting
some perch rolls.” were plenty of other highlights along the game. It’s the best education for with diners, he fi nally sat down with
the way. Gilmour looks back at being
Taking a few minutes to speak with young athletes. You can’t play unless two special guests from Big Brothers
Sports Energy, Gilmour reflected on cut as a minor hockey player, and he you have a solid foundation.” Big Sisters Cornwall.

chuckles.
his early years as a hockey player. After Gilmour’s lengthy meet Nick Fell, 14, and Brennan Bilmer,
Gilmour battled through adversity at “You have to be disappointed. You and greet with the large crowd, 13, both of Cornwall, had the pleasure
a young age before blossoming into have to be mad. In minor hockey I
Cornwall’s Cole Cameron expressed of enjoying their meal with the former
a dominating hockey player. Despite was told I was too small. I was this. I
his impression. NHL star.
being cut from several minor hockey was that. I loved it. I wanted to prove
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