Dunlops are winners on and off the ice
By Brian McNair Oshawa This Week

Sometimes success in sports goes so much deeper than measuring wins against losses.

Where the Whitby Dunlops are concerned, their prosperity on the ice this season was right there for everyone to see. They compiled a 40-11 record and played in the last possible game, losing in the Allan Cup national championship final to a stacked Powell River team.

Not too shabby at all for a team in its second year of existence.

Off the ice, they accomplished something much more with respect to Doug Smith, and only those close to the team would know it.

Smith, who has a developmental disability, was given a new purpose and passion through the Dunlops.

It all started with Smith being introduced to the team at the start of this season through the Oshawa-based Community Living group home.

Introverted and uncertain when he first joined the club as a helper, Smith wasn’t really much help in all honesty, and some were wondering early on if the project would work out.

Well it did and then some.

Alternatively known now as ‘Hammer’ or ‘Rambo’ or simply ‘Dougie’ by the players, Smith has become the team’s biggest fan and even made the trip to Powell River to cheer them on.

In fact, he celebrated his 39th birthday while there, and was presented with a cake by captain Peter MacKellar and an Allan Cup program that was signed by all members of the team.

“This has been great for Doug,” said James Hutton, who served as Smith’s chaperone for the trip. “I think a lot of the changes have been with his personality. He’s become a lot more social since he’s been with the team. He’s been involved with a lot more things.”

At the group home, Smith is now a much more willing participant in activities.

At a Dunnies games, he is downright animated, always on the edge of his seat and cheering on the players, especially MacKellar, his favourite.

“He’s come out of his shell a lot,” said MacKellar, who often hears, and always enjoys, Smith’s encouragement. “I met him at training camp and I’d say even his physical abilities have developed.

“The guys are always playing around with him and giving him a hard time, but he loves it,” MacKellar added. “The guys love seeing him, we’ve got nicknames for him, and you can’t help but smile because he’s just in a great mood all the time.”

Although difficult to understand to those who don’t know him, Smith has a sense of humour that’s been known to crack up the team bus or dressing room. Few if any would have imagined that possible at the start of the season.

There are no trophies given out to teams for community involvement, but if there were, the Dunlops would be adding another to this year’s mantel.