NEWS

CAMBRIDGE, ON - Awarded annually to an individual other than a player by the Ontario Hockey Association, the Gold Stick is the highest award one can receive in our Association. It represents those in our game who have shown outstanding service to the OHA and who have contributed at least 10 years of continuous service.

The Gold Stick was first awarded back in 1947 to Captain James T Sutherland.

It’s safe to say that this year’s Gold Stick recipient has a little more than 10 years of continuous service. His OHA career began as a General Manager in 1963 in a town that goes by the name of Little Britain for a Junior D team named the Aces. He would continue his duties as the team’s GM until 1967.

Following his successful stint with the Aces, he would go onto become an Executive Member with the local Intermediate C Senior Hockey Team. One of the most talented and accomplished sports teams ever to emerge from the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Little Britain Jets were the only intermediate hockey team ever to win three consecutive Ontario championships. From 1967 to 1970, the team was truly representative of the area. Many players went on to distinguish themselves at other levels of competition, including Ontario Junior A and the American Hockey League.

From 1973 until the team was forced to suspend operations due to their arena being condemned in 1976, he would act as the club’s President.

With a new arena in place in 1978, he rallied to bring Junior hockey back to the town of Little Britain, becoming the founding member and President of the Little Britain Junior C Merchants, a position that he still holds to this day. Under his watchful eye, the Merchants have won three league championships, the first in the 1992-1993, then again five years later in the 1997-1998 season and most recently in the 2009-2010 season. The club made an appearance in the Schmalz Cup Final Four in the 1997-1998 season.

Inducted into the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, he was also one of the first recipients of the OHA Crystal Puck Award in 2009. His dedication to the game, his town of Little Britain and the OHA speaks volumes to the type of character he is. His values and love for what he does shows in the fact that over 150 ex Merchant players are still living in the community of Kawartha Lakes. He truly does symbolize what makes Canadian hockey so unique.

A passion for the game that cannot be measured or duplicated, only admired. Providing a stable place for young men to develop their talents while playing a competitive and high level of hockey is his philosophy, it’s one that he’s always lived by. Due to his efforts, 52 years later we still have competitive OHA hockey in the town of Little Britain.

On Saturday, June 20th it was the pleasure of the OHA to honour the 68th recipient of the OHA’s prestigious Gold Stick Award, and fittingly so, on the 125th anniversary, to a true friend of the Association, Mr. Art Field.

Congratulations Art and thank you for all you’ve done for Little Britain and the OHA.