Community extends its gratitude to “Coach Dan”
- Ron Giofu
- Apr 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Often called “Coach Dan” or “Petta,” Dan Pettypiece has been a fixture at the former AMA Arena and the Libro Centre.
For his tireless service to the community for nearly five decades, Pettypiece was honoured last Saturday morning.
Pettypiece started coaching and teaching skating and hockey skills to children, youth and adults in 1976 and doesn’t have any plans on stopping. His dedication and contributions to the community were the subject of kind words, accolades and special presentations during a nearly one-hour ceremony at the Libro Centre, which was, appropriately enough, on the ice.
Bill Atkinson, president of the South County Predators Girls Hockey Association (SCPGHA) and a long-time friend of Pettypiece, thanked the large crowd that attended as well as Pettypiece himself.
“A lot of people aren’t thanked until it’s too late,” said Atkinson.
Noting that Pettypiece is not retiring from coaching or sick, Atkinson pointed out they still wanted to pay tribute to him for his 49 years (and counting) of devoted service as a coach and instructor.
Kids Curing Cancer – represented by Jodi Baillargeon and her kids Lauren, Kierstyn and Ty – presented Pettypiece with a certificate of appreciation from Erie Shores HealthCare. The Baillargeons also voiced their appreciation for Pettypiece, with Jodi pointing out his contributions to KCC through donations and securing raffle items. Raffle items have included a signed Montreal Canadiens jersey and a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey signed by William Nylander.
Atkinson read letters from those who couldn’t attend but wanted to thank Pettypiece for having a positive impact on their lives. Adam Bramburger, general manager with Napanee in the PJHL, Dennis Purdie and former NHL player and now NHL executive Kevin Westgarth were among the people who had their letters read aloud and all praised Pettypiece for his work and the way he taught the sport to countless people over the years.
Retired arena manager Ralph Barnwell described Pettypiece as a good friend, adding he has known Dan and his wife Judy for 35 years. While noting Pettypiece has a hockey memorabilia collection, Barnwell said the most important thing Pettypiece has collected is people.
“He collects people important to hockey, important to coaching and important to life,” said Barnwell. “He is a great ambassador for the Town of Amherstburg.”
Dave Beattie, a well-known figure skating coach and instructor, recalled coming to Amherstburg in 1972 at the request of another legendary arena manager, Bruno Casanova. Pettypiece was working at his job as a rink attendant and the two became good friends after that, establishing skating clinics and hockey schools.
“There are so many things I can tell you about Dan,” said Beattie. “He’s very dedicated. He was very dedicated to all the things we did. Dan was dependable. He was always there when you needed him.”
Beattie said Pettypiece is a very compassionate person, very soothing and willing to listen and help others.
“He is always willing to help,” said Beattie. “What you see in Dan is what you get. He is one of the greatest people I’ve ever been associated with.”
Beattie added that Dan has a tremendous love for his family and “they are everything to him.”
“Amherstburg is so fortunate to have had Dan for all of these years,” said Beattie.
Wes Ewer, president of the Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association (AMHA), presented Pettypiece with a jersey modelled after the green “North Stars” style of jersey AMHA has. Reading “Petta” on the back and with the number “76” to signify Pettypiece’s start in coaching, Ewer credited Pettypiece for helping him as a player and getting into coaching himself.
“Dan is a legend,” said Ewer.
Jesse Bondy from the SCPGHA also thanked Pettypiece and presented him with a jersey from that organization, with “Coach Dan” on the back.
Carsyn Atkinson, Bill’s daughter and captain of the North Star Wolves girls hockey team, paid tribute to her coach and a long-time family friend. She joked that Pettypiece is known for his long stories and that it was her turn to tell one.
Carsyn said Pettypiece is passionate regardless of the size of the team on the ice. She pointed out Corey Meloche has a special place in his heart, with Meloche being a former player who lost her life in a tragic accident.
“Every time he ties up his skates, I know he has every one of us in mind,” said Carsyn.
Carsyn added she and other players are fortunate enough to have played for Pettypiece.
“Dan is amazing because he is Dan,” said Carsyn, “and nothing could be better than Dan.”
Bill Atkinson added that Pettypiece helped start the girls hockey program at General Amherst High School in addition to all other teams Pettypiece was working with. Now 16 years later, Pettypiece is still coaching North Star High School.
Mayor Michael Prue presented Pettypiece with a Key to the Town, noting it is a tradition that dates to the Middle Ages. It is only the second Key to the Town that has been presented in the last three years.
Prue also noted the presence of Councillor Peter Courtney at Saturday’s ceremony, extending Courtney’s thanks to Pettypiece for his positive influence on him.
“We are so incredibly proud of (Pettypiece’s) achievements and what he has done,” said Prue.
Prue acknowledged the number of lives Pettypiece has touched, saying often when he mentioned Pettypiece’s name to someone, he has been told of the impact Pettypiece has had on them on and off the ice.
“In Amherstburg, we want to continue the tradition,” Prue added of Key to the Town presentations. “We want to continue the tradition because we need to honour the good and humble people who have made a difference in Amherstburg and the lives of people in it.”
Atkinson added Pettypiece has the same passion and dedication whether he is teaching a four-year-old or a 55-year-old. He thanked him for not only his efforts on and off the ice, but for going public with his mental health battle to help others.
To conclude the ceremony, Pettypiece said he was humbled and honoured for the recognition and thanked everyone who put it together and those who attended.
“I’m honoured and proud to be on the ice for all of these years,” he said, adding he doesn’t take anything for granted.
Pettypiece listed off the teams, associations and board members he has worked for and with, as well as co-workers from his time as an arena attendant. Casanova was “a father figure when I needed it” and Barnwell picked up where Casanova left off and “didn’t try to fix something that wasn’t broken.”
Pettypiece also thanked his “entire hockey family,” but gave special thanks to his own family including wife Judy, daughter Stacee and son Ryan. He noted there were points, particularly in recent years, that were tough due to mental health challenges he faced but his family was always there to support him.
Those challenges have arisen within the last 18 years or so, with Pettypiece saying there were some difficult things for his family to witness. He expressed his gratitude for Judy for her support and love.
“You could have run away but you ran to me and gave me unwavering support,” he said.
Stacee and Ryan’s first hockey goals are something he said he will forever remember and thanked them for sharing him with his hockey family.
“I love you both so much,” he said.
Despite the recognition, Pettypiece said he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and that he wasn’t giving a retirement speech.
“I still cherish the game and the players I get to coach,” said Pettypiece. “Being at the rink is still my happy place. Until my legs fall off, I intend to stay. This day will live in my mind and heart forever. See you at the rink.”
Community extends its gratitude to “Coach Dan”
By Ron Giofu
Comments