ATHLETE LEGEND
Hinnegan, Don
1911 – 1994
SPORT | Hockey, Softball
Position | Forward, Pitcher
YEAR OF INDUCTION | 2004
Don was born in Wallaceburg but moved to Chatham with his family at a very young age. He showed great promise in several sports while attending Chatham Collegiate an continued his excellence throughout his life. Don is best remembered as a standout hockey player for the original Chatham Maroons where he became know as “Honey Boy” because he was such a sweet player. He became best known for his scoring ability, his poke checking, and especially his performance on the power play. Don was also a very fine softball pitcher for several teams that competed provincially. He went on to manage, coach, officiate, umpire, and referee in the games that he loved.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1925 – 1930
While at CCI, starred on most of school teams which were very successful – pitched softball, played centre and was captain in hockey, and played quarter position in rugby
Hockey 1927 – 1928
At age 17 and still in high school, played for the original Chatham Senior Maroons
1930 – 1931 – starred for Maroons who went to OHA Finals by beating University of Western Ontario, London East, La Salle, Stratford, and Hamilton – lost in finals to Royal Military College 3-2 in two-game total goal series – scored first goal of second game to tie total score at 2-2
1932 – 1933 – was standout performer on the Michigan-Ontario League Champion Maroon team
1934 – 1935 – starred on M-O League Champion Maroons team that went on to lose to Falconbridge in All-Ontario Finals in Allan Cup playdowns
1937 – 1938 – was a standout player for the Maroons who went on to win OHA Senior “B” Championship giving Chatham its first OHA Championship – scored first goal in final game against Niagara Falls as Chatham won 3-0
After 1938-1939 season, Maroons disbanded because arena was condemned and his hockey career was virtually over since new arena not built until 1949
Senior Hockey – 1971 – 1983
after graduation, returned to Chatham and in first year back led two local men’s hockey leagues in scoring – for the next eleven years, played either senior or intermediate hockey and excelled wherever he played – played for Bothwell Barons, London Kings, Petrolia Squires, Dresden Lumberkings and Chatham Maroons.
1973 – 1974 – with the Sr. “B” Bothwell Barons led league in scoring with 32 goals, 44 assists, 76 points and had only 6 minutes in penalties
1975 – 1976 – played for the Intermediate “C” Dresden Lumberkings who won their league title but lost to Tweed in the Ontario final in game seven – led league in scoring with 36 goals, 44 assists, 80 points and only 6 minutes in penalties
1977 – 1978 with the Sr. “A” Petrolia Squires led league in scoring
1982 – 1983, playing again for Dresden they won the Ontario Intermediate “C” Championship – was Brian’s last year of competitive hockey
Softball
For over 20 years was one of the premier pitchers in area – pitched first no-hit no-run game in City League history
Bowling
Was an excellent 5-pin bowler and won many awards over the years – in 1980 was on Ontario 5-pin Bowling Association Championship team and finished 5th at the Canadian National Championship