Christmas came early for Bill Saunders, as the long-time Blenheim Blades’ volunteer was awarded the OHA Crystal Puck for his close to 60 years of hockey involvement in Chatham and Blenheim, including 14 years as Chatham Daily News sports editor. (Blenheim Blades Photo)
By Mike Bennett
Blenheim News-Tribune
Special to The Chatham Voice
Bill Saunders’ dedication to the Blenheim Blades is no secret to local hockey fans.
Now the entire province will know just how much Saunders’ means to not only the Blades, but how he has left his imprint on hockey for close to 60 years.
The long-time Blades’ executive member was named a recipient of the coveted Ontario Hockey Association’s Crystal Puck Award at the annual general meeting in Kincardine on June 15.
The Crystal Puck is awarded to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the OHA.
“I’m very honoured,” Saunders said, who will receive his award during a home game this season.
While he prefers doing his job in the background, other Blades’ officials are thrilled that Saunders is finally in the spotlight.
“If there’s one person who embodies the spirit of the Blenheim Blades, it’s Bill Saunders,” said team president Matt Frain. “Bill’s dedication and commitment to the club are unparalleled. He selflessly devotes countless hours of his personal time to secure sponsorships, work bingos and support the team in countless ways.”
Wayne Cowell, Blades’ director of hockey, also lauded Saunders’ relentless voluntary work for the hockey club.
“Without Bill Saunders, my life as director of hockey would be very difficult,” said Cowell, a Crystal Puck recipient himself in 2011. “He gets out and hustles advertising and sponsors so we can make this a good place for the boys to play.”
It was Saunders who was relentless in recruiting Cowell to return to the Blades in 2012.
“He must have called me six times and I kept saying no, until my wife (Bonnie) finally told me to just say yes,” Cowell said with a laugh.
“Bill’s one of the most dedicated and caring individuals I’ve ever met and I’m proud to be in any organization he’s a part of.”
Saunders moved to Chatham in 1967 to become the sports editor at the Chatham Daily News, a position he held until 1980 when he moved to the news side as he first served as city editor before retiring as managing editor in 2005.
While in Chatham, Saunders was an executive director of the Chatham Maroons hockey club for several years and was inducted into the team’s Heart And Soul Volunteer Wall of Fame in 2010.
Saunders moved to Blenheim with his wife Elaine in 2000 but had already been a part of the Blades’ organization since 1998 when his stepson Todd McBride was playing for the team.
“Shawn Tiffin was the coach and I had known him for a long time … he even worked at the (Chatham) paper at one time,” Saunders said.
“He told me since I was coming to the games, would I mind helping out,” said Saunders, as his Blades’ career started with charting shots on goal.
“Shawn left, came back, left again … and I’m still here,” he said.
Saunders and Tiffin are both enshrined in the Blades’ Hall of Fame.
Saunders has held several titles in his 27 years with the Blades, including general manager, secretary and director of hockey operations.
His biggest role is going around town securing sweater sponsorships and program advertising.
“I enjoy the people in the organization, we have a lot of great people,” he added.
Saunders said he is also enjoys the interaction with the fans as well as the local businesses who support the team.
However, Saunders said it is time someone else on the executive steps up to “learn the ropes” as he turns 80 in July.
“When Bill eventually decides to retire, it will be a significant loss for the organization,” Frain said. “His contributions are so vast that it will likely take multiple people to fill the roles he currently fills.”
