Anchortown,
We hope that you will join us on Monday, February 17th, 2025 as we celebrate the career of Dan Dukes and thank him for his tremendous commitment to the Woodstock Navy Vets Organization.
Dan first joined the organization in 1973-74 as timekeeper/scorekeeper before moving to the training staff and has been a fixture here ever since. With only a year or two off, he has dedicated about 50 years to this organization. There is no ‘Thank you’ big enough to match the time, energy and effort that he has given to this organization and community. To this end, we ask that you help us give Dan a day that he will never forget!
“I have been a part of this team almost since the beginning, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.” Dan Dukes
A special pre-game ceremony will take place prior to the 1:15pm puck drop and we will also be hosting a post-game reception at the Navy Club here in Woodstock.
We look forward to seeing plenty of our Anchortown faithful and alumni in attendance. Feel free to sport a cowboy hat (if you have one) in support of Dukesy!
To Alumni and those that know Dukes, we also ask another favour:
Send us a memory or message for or about Dukes. It could be a simple message or a short video. We’d love to share these messages to showcase how much Dukes has meant to the organization and community!
(Messages can be sent to wnvalumni2022@gmail.com or can simply be added below in the comments of our FACEBOOK POST)
Thank you.
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⬇️⬇️ Game Details ⬇️⬇️
Minor Sports Day: Sponsored by Little Caesars Pizza
Kids 17 and under wearing a Sports jersey get in FREE. Reminder (Kids 12 and under still need to be accompanied by an adult)
Free Public Skate with the Vets immediately following the game on the Red Pad.
📅 Monday, February 17th
🆚 New Hamburg Firebirds
📍 Reeves Community Complex
⌚️ 1:15pm [Gates Open 12:30pm]
🎟 At the Door
⛸️ Public Skate with the Vets following the Game
Ticket Pricing:
🎟 At the Door
👨💼 Adults $12.00
🧓 Seniors $9:00
👨🎓 Students $9.00
🧒 Kids (12 and Under) $7.00 or FREE with Adult
⚓ Alumni – See website to get an Alumni Pass to get in for FREE
Don’t forget to visit our Official Team Sponsor – @crabbyjoeswoodstock before and after the game for some great food and a cold beverage!
Thank you to our game-day sponsors:
🤝 @leonswoodstock
🤝 @10buckpizzawoodstock
🤝 @1047heartfm
🤝 @verduyntarpsinc
🤝 @Domino’s Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, Woodstock and Delhi
#PJHL #Doherty #Anchortown
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3 OHA Super C Titles (1974-76)
8 NDJCHL-West Titles (80s & 90s)
2 OHA SF (1981 & 1995)
1 OHA Final (1984)
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Well where do I begin
I have literally thousands of memories of important games, road trips, good times, bad times and everything in between.
I don’t really remember dates or years of these memories as over time they all just jumble together.
In 1969 I started helping out Bob McDonald as the assistant trainer, which I really took a liking to,
just being around the team, helping the players and just enjoying the team atmosphere was and is still why I love to do this!
When Bob left I took over as head trainer, I remember Cliff Langford and Bob Scott were in charge and Bob Brown was the GM at this time.
Ever since then I have acted as head trainer for the Woodstock Navy Vets, and what a ride its been.
Obviously I have to mention the Perry Street Arena, and all that came with it, I’ll just leave it at that!
One of my favorite early memories was when Ed McQueen was coaching I remember being in the Super C championships against Tillsonburg and St Thomas, again ask me what year that is, I have no idea.
Those years in the 70s 80s and 90s the team always had long road trips up north that all Vets players, coaches, trainers and some others would be apart of, those were some of the funniest and most memorable trips I have ever been apart of, (We won’t go into the details)
During these years I left the team for a year or so as I had 3 young children at home, but boy did I miss being around the team and organization.
I soon was back as Head Trainer and one of my next favorite memories was playing Essex and losing to them with Fred Murphy as the coach in the Semi Finals somewhere in the 80s.
I have a great memory With Murray and Brian Paton as our Coaches and going up North for the Ontario Championships and losing to Pennitang (or however the hell you spell it) in late 80s- early 90s. What an incredible team, and an incredible ride that was!
Next I remember our great ride in the mid 90’s when we won 3 consecutive division championships and the great Series against Bell River, who went on to win the all Ontario’s (we were the better team). I really thought that was the year we were going to win it all, again another great year!
Next I obviously remember our triple OT thriller against Chippewa, Brooks was our head coach then, when we won the series in our new Arena in front of thousands of people! I actually was shown that video just before writing this, what a memory!
I can go on and on about other memories, but the fondest memory I will always have will just be about being here, being around all these great kids, great young men, great coaches and great friends.
I have been apart of this team almost since the beginning, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
50 Years WOW, I don’t know what else to say!
Dan Dukes
(from Sep 2015)
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