OHL Honours Kilrea
Just prior to the commencement of the 2008-09 playing season, legendary Ottawa 67’s Coach Brian Kilrea announced that this would be his final season as a Head Coach in the Ontario Hockey League.
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Kilrea’s accomplishments on the ice speak for themselves. He has three OHL Championships, a pair of Memorial Cup Championship rings, more wins than any other Coach in CHL history and was named Coach of the Year twice. The Canadian Hockey League named its Coach of the Year Award in honour of Kilrea in 2003.
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David Branch, Commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League announced…”Brian Kilrea is legendary in the Ontario Hockey League and I would dare say in all circles of hockey considering his many individual and team achievements and his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
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As well, Brian has been such a mentor and positive influence on so many of the players that he has coached as he not only taught them the game of hockey, but as well helped them along their way in the game of life.
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Given Brian’s dedication, commitment and passion to our great game, we are most honoured to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Brian in this his final season of being a Head Coach in the Ontario Hockey League.
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The Member Teams of the Ontario Hockey League have joined together to recognize Brian by making a gift to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario which will see the dedication of a new room which will be known as the Brian Kilrea Teaching Room, a location where children and youth receiving long term care will be taught by teachers at CHEO in order that they will not fall behind in their school work. This room will be a lasting legacy of Brian’s teaching of young people throughout his lifetime”.
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Fred Bartlett, President and CEO, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario commented…”We are delighted that the Ontario Hockey League and its Member Teams have chosen to recognize Brian’s great career by making a gift to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Brian has earned his legendary reputation and Hall of Fame status through a lifetime of teaching our youth about hockey and other important life lessons. It is therefore fitting that a teaching room in CHEO’s medical day unit be named in his honour. We congratulate Brian on his retirement and express our gratitude for this wonderful gift”.
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The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario is a health care centre dedicated to providing specialized care to children and youth. Opening in 1974, CHEO offers a range of medical services for patients from birth though 18 years of age and provides an extremely wide scope of services, making a difference in the lives of children, youth and their families.
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The formal presentation of the Brian Kilrea Teaching Room will take place in Ottawa in conjunction with the final regular season home game of the Ottawa 67’s on the 15th of March, 2009.
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Photo: Aaron Bell/CHL