Donald Dunford
If there is anyone who deserves the name “Mr. Hockey” it is Don Dunford. Born in Peterborough, Don has spent his life coaching and supporting hockey in Peterborough and area. A good hockey player himself, he was a member of the 1959-60 Peterborough OMHA champion midget all stars and the 1960-62 juvenile all stars. He played junior in Cobourg 1962-64; men’s Kawartha Commercial Hockey League 1964-77 and old timer’s hockey 1979-1993 with Robert Young Construction, two time Canadian ‘A’ Champs. During the 1970s Don played fastball in the ODSA and Peterborough Men’s City Softball League, sponsoring the Don Dunford Electric team. Don coached the Millbrook bantams to the OMHA “D” title in 1990-1991 and the Millbrook juveniles 1995-96. He started the Millbrook Oldtimers Hockey in 1977 and was named Millbrook & District Sportsman of the Year in 1979. Don was the Assistant Coach of the Peterborough Trentway Wagar Junior A team 1992-1995 and coached midget summer teams 1992-1994. From 1996-2002 he was the head Coach of the Sir Sandford Fleming College Varsity men’s hockey team. During his tenure, Fleming won OCAA bronze in 1996 and OCAA silver 1997, 1998, 1999, and silver at the 2001 Canadian College Athletic Association Championships. He was named OCAA Coach of the Year 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001 and was runner up CCAA Coach of the Year in 2001. He was inducted into the OCAA Hall of Fame in 2003 and was the recipient of the Province of Ontario Celebration 2010 “Sports Hero Award”. Don Dunford has been an integral part of the success of the Lakefield Chief’s Junior ‘C’ Hockey program. From 2008 to present he has taken on many roles with the team – head coach, Board of Directors, President and Director of Hockey Operations, capturing the 2014 and 2018 Schmalz Cup Ontario Junior ‘C’ Championships. In 2017 he was the recipient of the OHA Junior ‘C’ Harold (Kit) Carson Player Dedication & Commitment Award. Don Dunford’s contribution to hockey in this community, cannot just be measured in terms of championships, but more so, for a lifetime of commitment to a sport for which so many people have received the benefit of his hard work.
Year Inducted:
2022
Status:
Active
If there is anyone who deserves the name “Mr. Hockey” it is Don Dunford. Born in Peterborough, Don has spent his life coaching and supporting hockey in Peterborough and area. A good hockey player himself, he was a member of the 1959-60 Peterborough OMHA champion midget all stars and the 1960-62 juvenile all stars. He played junior in Cobourg 1962-64; men’s Kawartha Commercial Hockey League 1964-77 and old timer’s hockey 1979-1993 with Robert Young Construction, two time Canadian ‘A’ Champs. During the 1970s Don played fastball in the ODSA and Peterborough Men’s City Softball League, sponsoring the Don Dunford Electric team. Don coached the Millbrook bantams to the OMHA “D” title in 1990-1991 and the Millbrook juveniles 1995-96. He started the Millbrook Oldtimers Hockey in 1977 and was named Millbrook & District Sportsman of the Year in 1979. Don was the Assistant Coach of the Peterborough Trentway Wagar Junior A team 1992-1995 and coached midget summer teams 1992-1994. From 1996-2002 he was the head Coach of the Sir Sandford Fleming College Varsity men’s hockey team. During his tenure, Fleming won OCAA bronze in 1996 and OCAA silver 1997, 1998, 1999, and silver at the 2001 Canadian College Athletic Association Championships. He was named OCAA Coach of the Year 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001 and was runner up CCAA Coach of the Year in 2001. He was inducted into the OCAA Hall of Fame in 2003 and was the recipient of the Province of Ontario Celebration 2010 “Sports Hero Award”. Don Dunford has been an integral part of the success of the Lakefield Chief’s Junior ‘C’ Hockey program. From 2008 to present he has taken on many roles with the team – head coach, Board of Directors, President and Director of Hockey Operations, capturing the 2014 and 2018 Schmalz Cup Ontario Junior ‘C’ Championships. In 2017 he was the recipient of the OHA Junior ‘C’ Harold (Kit) Carson Player Dedication & Commitment Award. Don Dunford’s contribution to hockey in this community, cannot just be measured in terms of championships, but more so, for a lifetime of commitment to a sport for which so many people have received the benefit of his hard work.