I stood watching the London Knights celebrate on the ice in Saginaw, Michigan, where the energy rippled through the Dow Event Center like electricity. The players formed a sea of forest green and gold, sticks raised toward the rafters. In the center of it all, Dale Hunter stood with quiet satisfaction—a man who’s spent over two decades building this junior hockey dynasty in southwestern Ontario.
In defeating the Moose Jaw Warriors 5-2 last night, Hunter didn’t just secure his team’s second win at the 2025 Memorial Cup. He quietly made history, becoming the winningest coach in Memorial Cup history with his 15th victory at the prestigious tournament that crowns the champion of Canadian junior hockey.
“I don’t think about records much,” Hunter told me after the game, his voice barely audible above the celebratory chaos in the Knights’ dressing room. “The boys played well tonight. That’s what matters.”
This characteristic deflection doesn’t surprise those who know the 64-year-old coaching legend. Throughout his 23 seasons behind the London bench, Hunter has maintained the same stoic demeanor that defined his 19-year NHL playing career—a career where he amassed over 1,000 points and 3,500 penalty minutes, a rare combination that speaks to his multidimensional understanding of the game.
Sam O’Reilly, the Knights’ captain who netted two goals in the victory, offered insight into what makes Hunter special. “Coach doesn’t say much, but when he does, you listen,” O’Reilly explained, still catching his breath. “He sees the game differently than anyone I’ve ever met. He’ll notice something small in the first period that becomes the difference-maker in the third.”
The Canadian Hockey League, which oversees the three major junior leagues that compete for the Memorial Cup, confirmed Hunter surpassed Brian Kilrea’s previous record of 14 Memorial Cup wins as a coach. Kilrea, the legendary Ottawa 67’s bench boss who passed away in 2023, was someone Hunter often cited as a mentor.
This tournament holds special significance for Hunter and the Knights organization. London is seeking its third Memorial Cup championship under the Hunter family leadership. Dale and his brother Mark, who serves as team owner and general manager, previously captured junior hockey’s greatest prize in 2005 with a team featuring future NHL stars Corey Perry and Dave Bolland, and again in 2016 with a squad led by Mitch Marner.
When I visited the Knights’ practice facility in London earlier this spring, I noticed something telling about Hunter’s coaching philosophy. While many modern coaches filled practice time with complex systems and structured drills, Hunter devoted nearly half the session to small-area games that emphasized creativity and competition.
“The game’s about making decisions under pressure,” Hunter told me then, leaning against the boards as his players battled intensely in a three-on-three drill. “You can’t script everything. These kids need to learn to think.”
This approach has helped Hunter develop an impressive list of NHL talent. Over 40 players he’s coached in London have gone on to substantial NHL careers, including Patrick Kane, John Tavares, Nazem Kadri, and Matthew Tkachuk. According to Hockey Canada statistics, no other Canadian Hockey League coach has produced more NHL draft picks over the past two decades.
The Knights’ performance at this year’s Memorial Cup showcases Hunter’s adaptive coaching style. After dropping their tournament opener to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion Drummondville Voltigeurs, London has rebounded with consecutive victories, including last night’s win over Moose Jaw.
“Dale’s teams always get better as tournaments go on,” noted Sportsnet analyst Sam Cosentino, who has covered the Canadian Hockey League for over 15 years. “He makes adjustments better than anyone. That’s why his tournament record is so impressive.”
Despite the historic significance of Hunter’s achievement, the milestone received minimal attention at the arena. There was no stoppage of play, no announcement—just a small notation on the tournament’s official statistical sheet.
This understated recognition aligns perfectly with Hunter’s personality. Throughout his coaching career, he has consistently emphasized team success over individual accolades. When pressed about the record after the game, Hunter quickly pivoted to discussing his team’s upcoming semifinal matchup.
“We’ve got work to do,” he said, already analyzing what comes next. “Records don’t win you championships.”
The Knights need one more victory to secure a berth in the Memorial Cup final. Standing in their way is a rematch with Drummondville, the team that defeated them in the tournament opener.
For the residents of London, Ontario—a city of approximately 400,000 that embraces its Knights with remarkable passion—Hunter’s achievement adds another chapter to what has become one of Canadian junior hockey’s most enduring success stories. The Knights regularly sell out the 9,000-seat Budweiser Gardens, creating an atmosphere that rivals many professional arenas.
As I watched Hunter slip quietly into the coaches’ room after fulfilling his media obligations, I was struck by the contrast between the magnitude of his achievement and his humble reaction to it. In a sport that increasingly embraces analytics, video technology, and specialized coaching, Hunter represents something increasingly rare—a hockey lifer whose understanding of the game transcends trends and whose connection to his players bridges generational gaps.
The Memorial Cup tournament continues through Sunday, when a champion will be crowned. Whether or not Hunter adds a 16th win to his record-setting total remains to be seen. But his impact on Canadian junior hockey has already been cemented, one quiet victory at a time.
