OHA Crystal Puck – Auld

On Thursday November 17th, 2011, the OHA presented the long-time member of the Chippawa RiverHawks, Winston Auld, with the coveted OHA Crystal Puck.

Winston’s OHA career began as a player with the Stamford Junior B Bruins in 1961. Playing on that team for three seasons he was a constant call up for the Niagara Falls Flyers Junior A club.

After his junior career ended Winston played intermediate hockey for the Port Colborne Sailors and it was on this team where he won the OHA Championship in four games against the Forest Lakesiders in 1965.

Winston took on an active role with Old Timers Hockey shortly after that championship win. In 1986 he was inducted into the Old Timers Hockey Hall of Fame in Ottawa as a Builder, Coach, Player and Manager. To this day he continues to be heavily involved in Old Timers Hockey in the Niagara Region running the OHA Adult Recreation Tournament and the famous Al Reid Old Timers Hockey Tournament.

In 1985 Winston was invited to a meeting regarding the new Chippawa Merchants Junior C Hockey Club that was just purchased by some gentlemen interested in bringing the OHA into Chippawa. During the meeting it became apparent to everyone around the table that his hockey knowledge would prove beneficial to the organization. Believing that he was the right man for the job, the ownership immediately made Winston the team’s General Manager and recruiter; he held these titles for 25 years.

Since 1985 Winston has sat on the Chippawa Board of Directors and has been active in fundraising every year for the team. Ownership changed over the years and the Merchants became the RiverHawks, but he continued year in and year out with the organization, dedicating himself to the team and the community of Chippawa. In 2001 his RiverHawks became the Schmalz Cup champions which they won in five games against the Belle River Canadians.

This season he has taken on a different role with the team as the clubs Vice President of Hockey Operations. Still in the arena daily, his new title has not changed his outlook or dedication to the Chippawa RiverHawks organization.

Happily married to the love of his life Elaine for 47 years he credits her for putting up with his other love, hockey. The two of them raised three children together and now enjoy spending time with their nine grandchildren.

After the presentation was over and the game got underway between the RiverHawks and the Dundas Blues all the home fans wanted was a home win for Winston’s boys.

Both teams started things off pretty slowly. With just a little under four minutes to go in the first period Blues forward Derek Searle netted a power play goal. The period ended with a 1-0 Blues lead.

The RiverHawks came out flying in second period when Hayden Molen took a pass from teammates Michael Rogers and Dalton Riley at 1:02 into the first period. Dalton Riley scored the first River Hawks power play goal just two minutes and 50 seconds later with the assists going to Daniel Heidebrect and Molen. Blues forward Kevin Jaczenko scored the lone second period Blues goal at 13:15 in the period. Molen added his second of the game a minute later to make the score 3-2 going into the third period.

Adam Quait took a pass from Mitch Sawatzky and Doug Buchan at 3:23 in the third period to put the River Hawks up two goals. Brandon Thomas sealed the deal for the River Hawks when he scored the team’s fifth goal of the game. A late power play goal from Derek Searle couldn’t save the Blues from losing this game on what was a very special night for Chippawa RiverHawks Winston Auld.

The OHA wishes to congratulate Winston Auld on receiving the OHA Crystal Puck Award.