Hockey legend Dave Draper
He could be cranky and crusty and somewhat aloof. But to me as a hockey writer, he was mostly friendly, gentlemanly, accommodating and rather easy to deal with, win or lose. An Ontario Hockey League legend as a player, coach and general manager who went on to a lengthy career as a National Hockey League scout, Dave Draper recently passed away at the age of 85.
Draper holds the distinction of being a Memorial Cup champion as both a player with the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors in 1961 and as the general manager of the Hamilton Fincups in 1976. Further, as the head scout for Canada’s National Junior Team, he won world championship gold medals in 1988 and 1991. And he was part of a Stanley Cup champion as a full time scout for the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
Rather impressive, to say the least.
Draper’s career as an OHL general manager and head coach spanned 17 years, beginning in 1972 with the Hamilton Red Wings. He later had influential and overall successful gigs with the Hamilton Fincups, Brantford Alexanders, Hamilton Steelhawks and the Dukes of Hamilton, leaving a lasting impact on the development of countless young players throughout the OHL.
As the OHL and Memorial Cup champion GM of the aforementioned Hamilton Fincups in 1976, Draper worked alongside fellow legend Bert Templeton, who was the head coach. The Fincups were able to win the Memorial Cup with a 17-year old rookie goalie in Mark Locken, who was later traded to the Soo Greyhounds.
In Brantford, Draper helped jump start the city’s first OHL team that was called the Alexanders. The Alexanders were only around from 1978 to 1984 and while they never won an OHL championship, they were a frequent contender with Draper at the helm as both coach and GM.
Three times under Draper, the underdog Alexanders hooked up in highly intense and memorable playoff series’ with the Terry Crisp coached Soo Greyhounds only to lose all three times — including an absolute seven game thriller in 1982.
Following his 17 year association as an OHL coach and GM, Draper became a well respected NHL scout for a trio of franchises, starting in 1990 with the Quebec Nordiques and ending in 2009 with the Washington Capitals when he retired.
All in all, and in his own reserved way,Dave Draper had himself quite a run en route to becoming a hockey legend. RIP, good sir.