DALE & MARK HUNTER NAMED SPORTSPERSONS OF THE YEAR
On February 3rd, Dale and Mark Hunter were honoured at the London Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction as London’s Sportspersons of the Year. Their storied careers as NHL players combined with their accomplishments both on and off the ice as owners of the London Knights Hockey Club made them an easy choice for this prestigious award.
Growing up on their family farm in Petrolia, Ontario, both Dale & Mark were taught the importance of hard work and dedication early on. Dale began his junior career with Kitchener Rangers in 1977 before being traded to the Sudbury Wolves. He was drafted 41st overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Dale would go on to be the first player in NHL history to record 300 career goals, 1000 career points and 3000 career penalty minutes. His #32 was retired by the Washington Capitals in 2000 after finishing a 19 year NHL career split between the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche.
Mark followed in his older brother’s footsteps and was drafted first overall by the Brantford Alexanders in the 1979 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. Following two goods seasons with the Alexanders, Mark was selected 7th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. He played 12 seasons in the NHL splitting time between the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers and Washington Capitals. The highlight of his career came when he won a Stanley Cup Championship in 1989 with the Calgary Flames.
In 2000, the Hunter brothers purchased a London Knights franchise that had been notoriously inconsistent and was still feeling the sting of a 1995-96 season that saw only three wins. Dale and Mark immediately changed the course of the ship. The first order of business was the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection and with the fourth overall pick, the Knights selected Rick Nash. Both Dale and Mark will admit that Nash put the London Knights on the map and helped to solidify their credibility amongst the hockey world.
It’s been evident over the years that in order to thrive as an Ontario Hockey League franchise a few things have to come together. A successful team needs good scouting, great player development and the backing and support of their local community. If you were to ask around today, many fans would note that Dale and Mark Hunter have changed the landscape of junior hockey since taking over the Knights franchise. Many teams have modelled their business and hockey operations plans after the Hunters and their success in London.
Both Dale and Mark were instrumental in negotiating with the City of London the construction and opening of a world-class facility, now known as Budweiser Gardens, in downtown London in 2002. This facility revolutionized the downtown core – making entertainment accessible for all fans to enjoy. It wasn’t just a hockey arena, but a venue built for large concerts and theatre style events. Managed by Global Spectrum, the 9,000 plus seat facility is still the top venue in the Ontario Hockey League.
By 2004, the Hunters had built one of the best franchises that the Canadian Hockey League has ever seen. Mark Hunter has gone on record to say that the 2003-04 team was by far the most skilled team that never competed at a Memorial Cup. Sometimes losing that year before is exactly what you need to win it all the next year and 2004-05 was a record setting season. Those London Knights broke thirteen Canadian Hockey League records including the one for the most successful start to a season going undefeated in their first 31 games and eventually winning the organization’s first Ontario Hockey League Championship. The Knights were also successful in winning their bid to host London’s first MasterCard Memorial Cup. They would not disappoint – defeating a Sidney Crosby-led Rimouski Oceanic 4-0 in the finals to capture the franchise’s first MasterCard Memorial Cup.
Dale and Mark have produced several successful teams since owning the Knights without their fans having to endure a long rebuilding phase. Six of those teams finished atop the League standings. There have been eight Midwest Division championships, four Western Conference Championships, 3 Ontario Hockey League Championships and that coveted Memorial Cup win at home. Many would argue this is the most successful franchise in the past decade.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2003, Mark was named Canadian Hockey League Executive of the Year for his outstanding efforts in revitalizing the London Knights franchise. Dale was named the Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year in 2004 and has won the Ontario Hockey League Coach of Year three times (2004, 2005 and 2010). In addition, Dale & Mark have produced over 45 NHL draft picks, including three first overall picks. Notable Alumni include Rick Nash, Corey Perry, David Bolland, Brandon Prust, Dan Girardi, Marc Methot, Patrick Kane, John Tavares and Nazem Kadri.
The Hunter-induced renaissance of the London Knights has created a continuous buzz amongst Londoners and Knights fans alike. Today the Knights have a season ticket holder base around 7,000 with a wait list just under 500. That is certainly an increase from the 1,261 season ticket holders in 2000 when the Hunter’s purchased the team. Both Dale and Mark’s commitment to the community of London is outstanding. The numerous community donations, school and hospital visits, minor hockey practices and full team appearances are just a small number of things they do to recognize and reward their fan base for being so loyal.
Very few individuals would be willing to take on the risk and workload of owning and operating an Ontario Hockey League franchise but both Dale and Mark have embraced this challenge – setting a precedent for how a franchise should be operated. Donating over $1.5 million to the community that supports them most, while continually providing hard working and entertaining hockey games in a world class facility, is exactly what makes them successful. They’re a hard working pair and well deserving of the Sportspersons of the Year award. Congratulations Dale and Mark Hunter.
