Bill Greene went to Whistler just hoping to propose a few resolutions on behalf of the North Okanagan Minor Hockey Association.
The 56-year-old was flabbergasted when his name was announced as winner of the prestigious Diamond Stick award at the 93rd B.C. Hockey annual general meeting last Saturday at the Hilton Whistler.
“I was really surprised,” said Greene, past president of the Armstrong-Enderby association. “It blew my socks off. They were giving out all these awards and we hadn’t eaten yet. I’m going, ‘Can we eat already’ and they call my name. All of a sudden, I’m not hungry any longer.”
It is the first time a person not on the B.C. Hockey board has won the Diamond Stick, and the first time since 2007 the award has been presented.
“This year’s recipient is an individual whose hockey journey began over 33 years ago,” said outgoing B.C. Hockey president Shannon Bell. “He has selflessly given his time, his utmost passion and complete dedication to kids in hockey. He has no personal agenda, has not tried to advance his children or himself. He has simply been committed to providing kids with the best experience and opportunities in hockey that he can.”
Greene, a father of five and grandfather of nine, helped Dick Robinson found the Junior B North Okanagan Kings, who won the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League title in 1993. Greene was president and trainer of the championship team. He also helped Armstrong get a KIJHL franchise again a few years ago (Knights).
“It’s pretty high end to have my name up there with Ernie Gare Sr., Frank Spring, Art Fisher and Bruce Allison,” said Greene. “It’s real special to be included in a group of great men like them.”
Bell said Greene yearly proposes changes to regulations as they relate primarily to residency and competition.
He always espoused his views on how, in the best interests of the kids, change is needed.
Said Bell: “While some may not always agree with his vision, it is doubtful that anyone would dispute his commitment to the kids and determination to provide what he believes to be a level playing field and opportunities for their development wherever those opportunities may lie.”
Greene did not yet have the first of his four daughters when he began his coaching career. He has coached every level of hockey from Novice to Junior. He attained Advanced Level 1 coach certification in 1991.
“Bill could be described as a man ahead of his time,” added Bell. “He was the first to start a week-long Hockey Skills Academy in B.C. Many who followed used his program as a model. He has been involved with B.C. Hockey’s Safety & Risk Management program including as a committee member for well over 10 years.”
Aside from being a Speak Out and HCSP course conductor, he was a district co-ordinator and is a Hockey Canada certified master course conductor and has trained many local Speak Out and HCSP instructors. His focus has always been player safety.
“Drug awareness, concussions, bullying or abusive behaviour, or any other conduct that could be harmful to a child, whether physically or emotionally, was on his radar screen long before these concerns became a priority in all sports,” said Bell.
Greene has served in many levels with the North Okanagan association, noting, “I offer them advice when they ask me.”
Bell said she has been told that minor hockey kids adore Greene.
Said Bell: “I quote Wilf Liefke, our vice-president, ‘He reminds me of a mother duck with her ducklings. When he arrives at the arena, the kids swarm him, following him around, wanting to chat about who knows what.’ There can be no better testimony to his sincerity.”
Greene, who has spent most of his life as a forestry consultant, was born Dec. 1, 1955 in Montreal, where he grew up before moving to Vancouver for a short time in his late teens. He then settled in Armstrong and ran a prominent sound company in Kelowna in his 20s.
He was a “lousy winger who could throw ‘em” in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville minor hockey and his most famous neighbour was NHL goalie Gump Worsley.
Liefke, a longtime Vernon resident and Okanagan Mainline director, is the new president of B.C. Hockey (two-year term).
