Dinny Flanagan Tribute

Dinny Flanagan, Recipient of the prestigious O.H.A. Gold Stick Award

Nothing could be more gratifying than achieving success with a vocation that one loves. It is not always success that drives one to continue and to persevere. Rather, it is the love and passion brought to the endeavour.

Those philosophical thoughts reflect a life time of passion and dedication by Dinny Flanagan. Success was a byproduct of his devotion and commitment. Literally, for a lifetime he committed to the game, his community, and the Ontario Hockey Association, as a player and later as an administrator.

Like many of us, his love of hockey and his career as a player started on the local pond. I can assure you it was a pond in his day … until someone saw his potential as a player and invited him indoors.

Most of his playing career he spent in a very proud hockey community, Stratford, Ontario. He played junior hockey with the infamous Stratford Junior “A’ Kroehlers. His senior hockey notoriety began with the Kitchener Dutchmen in 1950 and continued for the following six seasons when the Stratford Indians were founded.

Most of his playing career he spent in a very proud hockey community, Stratford, Ontario. He played junior hockey with the infamous Stratford Junior “A’ Kroehlers. His senior hockey notoriety began with the Kitchener Dutchmen in 1950 and continued for the following six seasons when the Stratford Indians were founded.

He was a member of the famous Flick, Roth and Flanagan line that also played with the Lethbridge Maple Leafs. They toured Europe en route to the world championships in 1951. During those championships, he scored eight goals as Canada won their 13th World Title.

Former coach Punch Shearer remarked of the chemistry that flowed from the trio. They were good friends off the ice which complemented them on ice where they anticipated each other’s moves in every situation.

In 1952, while a member of the Indians, Dinny played the Fort Francis Canadians for the Allan Cup, Stratford losing the series in six games. The last game was the toughest, wherein, because of injuries, Stratford competed with only nine players. They lost the famed Allan Cup, but won the praise of hockey fans throughout Canada with their courage and commitment.

His modern career evolved as manager of the Stratford Cullitons, one of the finest junior hockey organizations ever in the O.H.A. He became manager in 1975 and retired at the end of his 21st season in 1996. His teams have never finished lower than third place in the league. In twenty-one seasons the Cullitons finished first fifteen times. They won ten league titles and five O.H.A. championships. The overall record of the Cullitons under Dinny’s guidance is an amazing 735 wins, 159 losses and 36 ties. In baseball that would equate to an .810 batting average!

In addition to the numerous players who have worn a Culliton uniform under Dinny’s recruitment, several have gone on to Canadian and American Universities, while still others have reached the ultimate pinnacle; playing in the National Hockey League.

Dinny has an extremely faithful companion and mentor in his wife Joan who accompanies him on his scouting missions. She makes the notes and discusses the advantages of playing in Stratford to the prospect’s parents. Yes, she can tell you who is playing where and how good he is. Together they have brought a great deal of pride and recognition not only to the Stratford Hockey Club but to the Mid-Western Junior “B” League and the O.H.A. This past year also saw Dinny become the recipient of the highest award … O.H.A. Gold Stick Award.

In addition to being a world renowned hockey manager, Dinny has another side to his life. From 1948-58 he worked in the general foreman’s office in the C.N.R. shops under the guidance of another Stratford Hockey personality, Joe Mavity. Dinny’s career spiraled forward when he joined the Stratford Fire Department and rose through the ranks to the level of captain. After serving Stratford as a fire fighter for 32 years, he retired.

Dinny and Joan have been married since 1954 and had 4 children; Denis Jr., Terry (deceased) and his wife Jean, Jane, and Mark and his wife Joan. They also have six grandchildren who they enjoy very much in their spare time. Dinny’s hobbies consist primarily of baseball and hockey but he can often be seen walking or biking to help keep active.

Not only did he build excellent hockey teams but he helped to mould young gentlemen into citizens that all communities would be proud of. Thank you for your love of hockey and the enjoyment that you have brought to the fans of hockey over your prestigious career.

By John Parker


 REMEMBERING DENIS FLANAGAN

The Stratford Jr. B. Hockey Club join the City of Stratford and the entire hockey community in mourning the passing of local hockey legend, Denis ( Dinny) Flanagan on November 25, 2018. Dinny became Manager of The Stratford Cullitons in their inaugural season in 1975 and he spent the next 21 seasons helping create one of the finest Junior Hockey organizations in the province before retiring in 1996.

His teams never finished lower than third place. In twenty-one seasons, the Cullitons finished first fifteen times, won ten league titles and five O.H.A. Championships. The . overall record of the Cullitons under Dinny’s guidance is an amazing 735 wins, 159 losses and 36 ties. Recently, Dinny became the recipient of the highest award … O.H.A. Gold Stick Award.

The Warriors Family, and our fans, are deeply indebted to Dinny for all that he gave to us over the years. We will miss him dearly, but we know that his presence will forever be felt by our club and our city.

Dinny’s contribution to the Stratford Jr. B. Hockey Club will never be forgotten.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, our Hockey Team and our Fans I would like to express my condolences to Dinny’s Family