Coach marks 1,000 games on the bench

By Brian Lockhart

Local Journalism

Initiative Reporter

A local hockey coach is celebrating a hockey milestone and was honoured for his commitment to the game during a special ceremony on the ice in Schomberg. 

Tottenham's Sandy Bell, currently with the Schomberg Cougars, is well known in Junior C hockey circles as a dedicated coach and volunteer.

On Sunday, November 28, Sandy was on the bench for his 1,000th junior hockey game when they played the Caledon Golden Hawks.

The Schomberg Cougars Hockey Club honoured this achievement with a surprise on-ice acknowledgement that included a trophy and a custom Schomberg Cougars jersey embossed with the number 1000.

“Sandy is one of the most dedicated hockey volunteers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting,” said Schomberg Cougars president, Randy Hull. “I am proud to call him my friend and honoured that he returned to his Cougars family to celebrate this amazing milestone.”

Sandy joined the Schomberg Cougars in 2002 as an assistant coach.

During his first year with the club, they won their first conference title after knocking out the Fergus Devils, and Erin Shamrocks in the playoffs, then winning the final over the Stayner Siskins to claim the title.

Sandy remained with the team through the 2012/13 season taking on the roles of both assistant coach and head coach.

He then went on to spend seven years with the Caledon Golden Hawks.

Sandy returned to the Cougars last season and is currently enjoying a successful season with the hockey club as they challenge for the Provincial Junior Hockey League's Carruthers Division title.