Players Hall of Fame #31 William Dark Goaltender London Provincial Glass

Career 1983 - 1986 Aluminum Assoc. 1986 - 1994 Provincial Glass Goaltenders have been affectionately described as eccentric characters of the game. They are unique individuals, quirky and often distant from the rest of the players. These armored knights are often unnoticed as they sit alone in the stands or in a comer of the dressing room preparing for what lies ahead. They have a different perspective of the game because, afterall, when all others fail, they are the last line of defence . They exhibit varied levels of nervousness but all have a definitive mental focus and desire to play and win the big game. Glenn Hall was one of those goaltenders. He recognized the importance of winning the big game. "It comes down to winning the Stanley Cup. There are many great goaltenders who aren't in the Hall of Fame because they haven't won the Stanley  Cup." The N.H.L. legend won the Stanley Cup in 1960-61 with the Chicago Blackhawks and was inducted into the Shrine in 1975. William Dark , who was similar to his professional predecessor in both style and personality, was a big game goaltender who also knew how to win. He was a mainstay between the pipes for London Provincial Glass from their inception in 1986 where he garnered the Most Outstanding Goaltender Award in every year that he played. His initial success abroad took root at the AA Provincial Championships in 1987 where "Darky" was selected as the Tournament MVP in leading his team to victory. Billy's unorthodox, floppy style of detecting orange balls was patently a pleasure to watch as his success continued. His acrobatics became well recognized and were respectively acknowledged by the ntanerous Allstar and MVP awards that he received at the league, tournament, provincial and national levels of competition throughout his tenure. It was clearly a testament to his skill as a netminder and to the key role that he played forthe Glass. Billy anchored the team's bronze medal achievement at their inaugural Canadian Ball Hockey Chwnpionship appearance in 1989 and quickly followed that up with a spectacular Gold Medal performance only a year later in the 'Homets Nesf at the 1990 Nationals in St. John's Newfoundland where London finally got to sip champagne from The Mug. William Dark won the big game. He is indeed a champion and one of the premier "ball stoppers" in the history of the game who has earned his rightful place in the OBHA Players Hall of Fame.