Some would argue they've already been, but in namesake at least, the Knights have arrived. And it's about time.
6 years ago Bill Dark was a finalist for the Knights' goaltending coach job. He would've been the perfect guy to help along the young talent in London had it not been for Dave Rook who back then seemed to inspire the Hunter brothers just a tad more. The results of Rook's hiring are easy to celebrate because some would say his job was pretty easy. Rook inherited some of the finest goaltenders the OHL has ever seen. Stars like Ryan MacDonald, Gerald Coleman, Adam Dennis and Steve Mason all thrived under Rook's tutelage. And so did he, on the backs of their accomplishments.
Goalie guru, Bill Dark
The man who didn't get the London gig and the chance to work with soon-to-be champions and one-day NHL'ers, ended up in the next worse thing. Dark took a job in what was then considered junior hockey purgatory: Windsor.
He was brought aboard the Spitfires coaching staff when things were at their most desire, desperate, their darkest. Hired by former team owner, Steve Riolo, Dark couldn't even get a pay cheque from his new employer in the early going. Things were that bad, at the cash register and on the ice. For a while, Dark's assignment with the Spitfires appeared to be on course for just a single year. I mean, if you're not getting paid, why work? Well, work is what Dark did despite the uncertainty surrounding his situation, and what do you know, the pay-off finally did come. A pay-off not just in the form of money, but in opportunity. He didn't know it at the time, but Dark was about to venture out of the darkness and straight under junior hockey's brightest lights.
The ownership take-over in Windsor was a god send. Not only for a franchise ill from years of neglect, but for the good people by the border who were getting sick from it, and of it. And when Steve Riolo (who was in over his head) finally handed over the keys to Bob Boughner and his group the tide immediately began to turn. Ownership partner Warren Rychel took over the hockey operations and drafted like a madman, or mad scientist. He brought in many a great midget star, including Ryan Ellis and Taylor Hall. These two dudes are among the best hockey players any of us will witness playing. They'll be major NHL contributors one day and always associated with helping to get the good ship Spitfire flying smoothly again. But behind the scenes, or behind the net, Bill Dark was there too.
Driving the 2 plus hours from London over bad roads and through snow storms, Dark became the guru of Windsor's burgeoning goaltending unit. He's made them all better keepers, even someone like Michal Neuvirth who spent roughly a month at the Barn. He credits Dark for making him a smarter goaltender, especially with the puck. A goalie that plays the puck strongly usually does everything else just as well. Neuvirth is a special goaltender who has had plenty of positive influence along the way. Dark feels honoured to have been able to chip in on the young Czech's development, but if there's one player or project he can attach his reputation to it's a guy who in many ways resembles himself. A member of the team with much to give, but without much given back.
The name Andrew Engelage, while accomplished, still doesn't create superstar imagery. He's a goaltender of the year, an OHL champion, a Memorial champion and sadly still an afterthought in hockey circles. But no matter what scouts think of him Engelage has a stellar portfolio and Dark's stamp is all over it. He took a big, clumsy kid drafted in like the millionth round and helped mould him into a confident big-save goaltender who along the way turned aside just as many attempts to unseat him as he did pucks. Again, Spits' goalie coach Dark gets a piece of that action.
What can the Knights see in the Dark?
For one, a goaltending coach who's produced results. Plus, they've hired from the competition. And make no mistake, prying away a critical piece of your rival's success is huge for the Knights who are widely viewed as yesterday's Spitfires. A once model franchise searching, even poaching for an edge. Something they haven't proven to demonstrate for a few years now. For a guy who's all about preventing goals, Dark is shooting for plenty of them with his new organization. His ultimate: turn the Knights' newly acquired padded pilgrim into his next OHL goaltender of the year. The Hunter's gave up 5 picks to get their hands on Michael Hutchinson from Barrie. He's an expensive body that must be treated as such, and that's where Dark comes in. His ability to make the promising finally fulfill will be counted upon once again. He's on a one year deal in London which is both good and bad. If he fails to follow through he's almost certainly gone next Spring. But if he can extract the inner champion out of another keeper who already has the physical tools; Dark may just get himself something he's surprisingly yet to earn as an OHL goaltending tutor, term.
6 years after narrowly missing out on a chance to work in his own backyard, Bill Dark has hit, and stuck. He can now work his landscaping job for the city of London in the morning then work his skills producing the city's next great goaltender in the afternoon. It's a dream job, that after thousands of miles, award winners and championships, Bill Dark finally gets to do.
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