By David Grossman

Memories.

Wayne Gowing has some great ones that go way back to those childhood days of wanting to be a professional hockey player, to telling lots of stories about a sport that has absorbed a good chunk of his life.

A recollection of thoughts, many of them cherished and others just part of life, Gowing was able to conjure up a familiar feeling of dedication and comfort.

And while he did attend Boston University on an athletic scholarship, it’s Kitchener that’s special. It’s where he was born, went to the oldest high school in the city, played for teams in the Central Ontario Junior A Hockey League (COJHL) and the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) as well as coached three Ontario University Athletic Association (OUAA) championships.

Having a busy life, it was the remarkable tenure of 25 years as head coach of the men’s hockey team at Wilfrid Laurier University that has left him with many flashbacks, reflection, and the awareness of some special times.

“There are road signs along the way, those where you get passionate about things – hockey, education, coaching – and every now and then, I think about each one and what they have meant to me and others,” said Gowing, who won championships with the Kitchener Greenshirts in 1965, with Boston in National Collegiate Athletic Association team (NCAA) in 1971, and later with Laurier.

Athletes and coaches, pick the sport, will tell you it’s always about winning the awards and championships. Gowing is fixed on the same objectives and he’s also a man of character going out of his way to help young athletes develop a thirst for success and a sense of normalcy. 

Gowing would add that there’s also the knowledge of learning from mistakes – something that players would take with them in their careers and lives.

“I was lucky to have good players,” said Gowing. “My job was to show up to the rink with a plan and being enthusiastic and do it every day. You would hope it catches on with the players and convince them that there are rewards for hard work. 

“For me, I would try to earn respect from (the players) and it wasn’t always easy with guys that age. One thing they were hooked on, was someone committed to success.” 

Always wanting to be a teacher, Gowing, despite academic degrees from Boston and Kent State, chose time in the hockey arenas instead of the school classrooms. Truth be told, Gowing may not have had the official teaching certification, but he did accomplish a huge amount of work educating young people about the values of Canada’s National Winter sport.

“My time at Laurier couldn’t have been better as I was the first fulltime head coach in men’s hockey in Laurier’s history,” added Gowing. “We learned, we had fun and a good time.”

A special committee at Laurier, recognizing Gowing’s masterful contribution to the lives of more than 200 student athletes, bestowed a special kind of honor that trumps a championship or a trophy.

A leader and builder of the sport, Gowing was chosen to be among the Class of 2021 inducted to the Laurier Sports Hall of Fame. It’s a prestigious group of individuals that includes members of a Yates Cup championship team, six athletes – two from each of football and curling, along with one from basketball and the other from baseball.

Created in 1986, the Laurier Golden Hawks Hall of Fame has recognized former outstanding contributions by athletes, coaches, teams, and individuals, during their years with university varsity sports and in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) league.

For Gowing, a man who was always positive about prospects, he was firm about enhancing a strong tradition of Laurier excellence. 

“Look, I enjoyed success, but I always wanted to do better,” he said. “As a team, we all had responsibilities. There were setbacks, but that made us work harder. What drives an athlete is personal and time management, sacrifice and the desire to win.”

Gowing said while “it’s tough to be good every year”, his focus has always been on hockey and watching players win in areas off the ice.

“We all know the number of university hockey players who make it to the pro level is small, but players learn skills, develop as good people, make contacts and carry forward things that will benefit them in careers and their lives,” he said.

At Laurier, Gowing had a career record of 315 wins, 192 losses and 52 ties. In 1983, one of 10 years Laurier played at the Kitchener Auditorium, he coached the Golden Hawks to an OUAA championship. 

Two more Ontario gold medals, along with hoisting the coveted league trophy, both occurred at the Waterloo Arena in 1989 and 1990. His final five years at the helm, Gowing coached teams at the Waterloo Recreational Complex.

Gowing said his reaction to being inducted to the Laurier Sports Hall of Fame was that of a recognition of celebration, accomplishments, and achievement.

“One key point I kept was to never let a player down,” said Gowing. “Now I am being honored, and it’s the players who made me look good. I had success, fun and respect. I told them that I was not there to be their friend, but to help them succeed and be respectful.”


David Grossman is a multi, award-winning communicator and storyteller with a distinguished career in Broadcasting, Journalism and Public Relations in Sport and Government Relations. He is the recipient of two major university award: the USports “Fred Sgambati Media Award” and the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Media Member of Distinction.