Remembering Dale Hawerchuk one year later
One year ago, the hockey community lost a legend.
Dale Hawerchuk, Hockey Hall of Famer and long-time Barrie Colts coach, lost his battle with cancer on Aug 18, 2020.
He was 57.
His son, Eric Hawerchuk, posted on Twitter Wednesday, "One year ago today we lost our beloved Dale. He was an incredible friend, father, husband, son, brother and teacher but most importantly, a man who cared and always wanted to make this world a better place... We love and miss you. To know him was to love him." #HawerchukStrong."
The outpouring of support was significant for the Colts coach when it was announced in 2019 that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
In April 2020, Hawerchuck celebrated his final round of chemotherapy by ringing the Bell of Hope at Royal Victoria Health Centre.
Three months later, the family announced cancer had returned.
The Toronto-born Hawerchuk played in the NHL for 16 years, having been selected first overall in the 1981 draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He retired from the NHL in 1997 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.
He was the Barrie Colts organization's longest-serving coach.
A memorial to Hawerchuk quickly grew in front of Barrie's Sadlon arena last August as fans dropped by to share their memories and leave their condolences for the Hawerchuck family.
Eric Hawercuck founded HawerchukStrong, an initiative that helps raise money for local groups and raise awareness for cancer.
Barrie council announced in May the entrance to the Sadlon Arena would be renamed Dale Hawerchuk Way and it would be working with the Barrie Colts on a celebration to honour Hawerchucks storied career.
Barrie Colts co-owner Jim Payetta told CTV News last week the details on the event are still in the works and are currently subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
Last week the Winnipeg Jets, where Hawerchuk formerly played, announced a statue, honorary street name and hockey tournament would be named after the man they called Ducky.
Eric Hawerchuck said on social media today, "Miss you every day buddy."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.