Thursday, February 17, 2022
When I was about 10 I had the honour of having Mr. Mailey as my hockey coach in Red Deer. It was a thrill for the team because he was a star who had won a Memorial Cup and we had watched him play for our senior team the Rustlers. Most of the coaches in our league then were parents with an obligation to turn up, but Owen was there because he possessed a gift and unselfishly wanted to share it. We were gently taught the nuances of the proper way to play hockey;: but more than that we were taught that the skills needed to excel in hockey were the same skills needed to excel in life: work diligently, learn your craft, have a goal, practise, be respectful, evaluate wins and losses, praise your team, lead by example. Everyone knows these truisms but few of us are lucky enough to have a memorable exemplar at a formative moment to demonstrate the truths in them.
Several of the 18 kids on that team went on to win Canadian championships in junior, and two were drafted by NHL teams. Not a bad record.
I was not of that caliber myself but I did overcome some adversities to become a physician and I strongly believe that it was good folk like Owen who provided the lessons and spark I needed to succeed in life.
Thanks Coach.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Bryan Caddy MD
