"For a little more than a decade, I've had the privilege of being part of the Kingston Frontenacs organization -- first as a coach, then as general manager and team president. It was an opportunity I hadn't anticipated, but it turned into one of the most important chapters of my life, both in the game and beyond it. That's why today is bittersweet," Doug Gilmour opened up to Dan Robson of The Athletic regarding his departure from the Frontenacs organization.
Gilmour, former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, spent 11 years with the Frontenacs, a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based out of Kingston, Ontario. He is now stepping down from his position as the team's president and has accepted a new position with his former team, as a community representative for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Though he was sad to leave Kingston, he was regarded as saying he was excited to return to Toronto, another important part of his life.
"I'm thrilled to be returning to Toronto in a formal capacity at a time when there is so much excitement for a team stacked with incredible talent," Gilmour told The Athletic.
The former NHL star also opened up regarding what his hometown of Kingston and the Frontenacs organization mean to him, " I learned how to skate and play the game on Kingston's outdoor rinks and in classic old barns like Cooks Arena, back when chicken-wire lined the boards. Even when I went on to play in the NHL, Kingston was always home to me."
In regards to his time and accomplishments with Kingston, Gilmour said "I'm proud of what we accomplished in my time with the Frontenacs."
He also noted that Kingston was an opportunity to share the game with his mother and father again, as they lived just a few blocks from Leon's Centre in downtown Kingston. They attended every Frontenacs game.
"I'd spent so many years away, chasing the hockey dream they gave me the opportunity to pursue. Now I was able to complete the circle, and come home.," Gilmour told Robson. He would do exactly that, spending time with his parents who so enthusiastically loved the game as he did. Gilmour would receive coaching advise from his father, Don, who was a local sports legend. His loving mother, Dolly would attend all games, even after Don's passing in 2012, and brought her fiery yet friendly demeanor to the rink with her. As Gilmour moved up the ranks to general manager and president, he was able to watch the games with his mother from their box. She loved it, as she was extremely passionate about the game. "She was the best hockey mom you could ask for."
Gilmour knew his time in Kingston was winding down around the time of his mother's passing. "To be honest, it was hard to be there without them," he told The Athletic. An understandable feeling, given the situation.
Preparing to leave Kingston, Gilmour sold his cottage on Loughborough Lake, which sat next to a bungalow his parents had owned since he was a child. He noted sharing a copious amount of wonderful memories there, but realistically pointed out that all things end. Between the passing of his parents and being three hours away from his wife and daughter, the former Leaf knew it was time for a change.
"It's time for a new chapter. It's time to come back to the blue and white. "
Gilmour told The Athletic that his most memorable days in the NHL were spent playing in front of Toronto's fans. He was very excited to return to the Leafs organization and even stated; "There isn't a better group to lead the franchise into a new era," regarding the currently roster and staff of the Maple Leafs.
He appeared very grateful to both the Kingston Frontenacs and the Toronto Maple Leafs organizations, referring to them as two of the most important chapters of his life.
He conducted his interview with The Athletics' Dan Robson with an eloquent appreciation for both organizations;
"I'm proud to be an ambassador for the Toronto Maple Leafs, in the tradition of so many distinguished alumni before me.
Thank you, Toronto.
And thank you, Frontenacs. It's been such an honor to be part of this franchise. And always, to Kingston -- because nothing in my life would have been possible without my hometown."
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