OH CAPTAINS, MY CAPTAINS
PHOTO: TIM CORNETT
by David Ducharme
Seven captains from the rich history of the Windsor Spitfires – and the parents of two others – gathered Wednesday for the franchise’s first ever Captains Luncheon.
Current captain Ryan Ellis, along with Scott Miller (1975-1976), Ernie Godden (1980-1981), Bill Bowler (1994-1995), Spitfires Associate Coach D.J. Smith (1996-1997), Craig Mahon (1999-2002) and Ryan Donally (2004-2005) joined Mark and Jane Renaud, the parents of Mickey Renaud (2007-2008), and Harry Young’s (2008-2010) parents, Rick and Jolayne Young, to unveil the brand new ‘Spitfires Wall of Captains’ in the media room of the WFCU Centre.
The names of all 46 team captains – from 1946-1947 to this season – are featured on six plaques, along with many pictures from each era.
The wall also includes the only four Spits to have their numbers retired – #9 Adam Graves, #15 Ernie Godden, #18 Mickey Renaud and #23 Scott Miller.
Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel served as the keynote speaker for the event.
“It was as an honour for the organization to welcome back so many of the team’s leaders from past seasons,” Rychel said. “We have a rich history of developing character people on our team and our captains have led this charge. Today’s unveiling of the Spitfires Wall of Captains recognizes and celebrates the contributions that each and every single captain has made to the Windsor Spitfires. I’m pleased to have this wall as a constant reminder of who our captains were and what they meant to the team.”
CAPTAINS SPEAK
Arguably, no captain to this day is more recognizable, or more proud of his time leading the Spitfires, than Bill Bowler. The franchise’s all-time leader in career points (467) said he was thrilled to be part of the inaugural luncheon.
“It’s an honour,” Bowler beamed. “Anytime you get to be associated with some of these names. What a great pleasure.”
Ernie Godden was the second Spitfire to ever have his number retired. Captain of the 1980-1981 club, he set the OHL single-season record for goals (87) – a record that still stands.
“Anytime you can play for the Spitfires and be named the captain, it’s truly an honour,” Godden said. “Godden appointed me captain of the team and gave me an opportunity to devlop my game offensively. And I really broke out that year. The experience of being captain with the Spitfires was huge in my development.”
Craig Mahon, captain of the Spitfires from 1999-2002, was one of only two players (Paul Maurice) in history to serve as captain for three seasons.
“Today’s event was a classy move by the organization, everything was done right and I’m proud to be a Spitfire for life,” Mahon said. “It was part of my job to help lead the team and being a three-year captain of the Windsor Spitfires was an honour and privilege. I’m proud to now be part of the Spitfire Wall of Captains.”
Check our blog for a full list of all 46 Spits captains.
