Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 37

30 Looking for deals on wheels? Visit our automotive “Teammates”.

Carpenter Thrived as a Teacher behind the Bench

in Flint, the club’s coach was let go Bryan Murray in Moncton. A couple
By Todd Anderson
near Christmas. That led to Carpenter’s years later, Bryan was in Washington,
rowing up in Cornwall, Doug new journey behind the bench. Keenan was in Philly and I was in
GCarpenter was a lover of all sports. “The general manager asked me if I New Jersey.”
He was heavily involved in baseball, ever thought about coaching. He gave After his success in Cornwall,

lacrosse, football, hockey, and many me a day to think about it. My first Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach
more. His passion, and talent, led to thought was, I am never going to play Punch Imlach called to ask if Carpenter
an impressive career on the ice ... and another hockey game. I took it, and would be interested in coaching in
behind the bench, in hockey. It was a I’m glad I did.” the American Hockey League. He
career that led him to the NHL ... but Carpenter went on to coach the Flint accepted the position with the New

not before some great success in his Generals five seasons before returning Brunswick Hawks. The team was
hometown. home to Cornwall. His record each comprised of prospects from both the
Before taking the helm in Cornwall season in the IHL was right around Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago
with the Quebec Major Junior .500 and his teams lost each year in the Blackhawks. Carpenter was able to

Hockey League Royals in 1979/80, first round. Lessons learned in Flint rub shoulders with some of the most

Carpenter began his coaching career paved the way to a tremendous return influential people in the game.
at the professional ranks with the Flint to his hometown of Cornwall in 1979. “Here I am a little boy from
Generals of the International Hockey That season, Carpenter guided Cornwall native Doug Carpenter Cornwall and I am at the Wirtz family
League. Even before that, he enjoyed the Royals to the Memorial Cup can proudly look back on a hockey (owners of the Blackhawks) stables.
a successful professional career as a championship. “There was an opening career that brought success in I’m spending time with Bobby Hull
player in the Eastern Hockey League here and I wanted to be home (with his both the professional ranks across and all those guys.”
and International Hockey League. ailing father),” says Carpenter. “It’s North America as well as in junior The following season Carpenter
Carpenter played 6 seasons with the not a bad thing to go back to junior hockey in his home town. moved on to the Central Hockey League
Greensboro Generals and one season and work your way back up. It was Photo: Todd Anderson where he coached the Cincinnati
each with Jackson-Roanoke and the great for me.” Carpenter. “I seemed to always have Tigers. In 1982/83 and 1983/84 he
Roanoke Valley Rebels of the EHL. When Carpenter stepped into the a young team wherever I went. In returned back to the AHL with the St.
He also skated with the Flint Generals Royals dressing room, he was greeted hockey, you’re teaching every day. Catherine’s Saints. That’s when the
for parts of three seasons. In total he by the young faces of talents like Dave Returning home was the turning NHL came calling. Carpenter’s career
scored 59 goals and 297 points in 600 Ezard, Dale Hawerchuck, Dan Daoust, point in my coaching career. It was as an NHL coach began in 1984/85
games. Marc Crawford, and Scott Arniel. a pretty exciting year with Mike with the New Jersey Devils.
Midway during his 1973/74 season “They were all great kids,” recalls Keenan coaching in Rochester and Continued on page 32

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