Dale Hawerchuk Winnipeg Jet Legend

Dale Hawerchuk: A Gentleman of the Game

On my walk through Thornton Cemetery in Oshawa, Ontario, I discovered the grave of the late, great Dale Hawerchuk — a player whose impact on Canadian hockey was as deep as his humility.

Born in Toronto to Ukrainian-Canadian parents, Hawerchuk’s hockey journey took off with the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL, where he won back-to-back Memorial Cups and was twice named playoff MVP.

In 1981, he was selected first overall by the Winnipeg Jets in one of the most talent-rich NHL drafts in history — chosen ahead of future Hall of Famers Ron Francis, Grant Fuhr, and Chris Chelios.

Dale quickly became the face of the Jets throughout the 1980s. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie and went on to record six 100+ point seasons in his nine years with the team. A smooth-skating, cerebral centre, Hawerchuk played the game with grace and made his teammates better.

Despite never hoisting a Stanley Cup, he never let that define him. At his 2001 induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, he offered this humbling reflection:

“Even though I didn’t win a Stanley Cup, I still wouldn’t change a thing. I think to ask for more would be greedy.”

After his playing career, he continued giving back to the game — most notably as head coach of the Barrie Colts in the OHL, where he mentored countless young players.

Dale Hawerchuk passed away on August 18, 2020, in Barrie, Ontario, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was just 57.

Toronto born hockey great, Dale Hawerchuk with his Calder Cup trophy in 1982.