The Everblades have just over a month left in the regular season. The reigning champions are first in the ECHL standings and looking like the favorites to win their fourth consecutive Kelly Cup title.
When the Everblades take the ice at Hertz Arena, they aren't the only champions in the building. Up in the press box sits Don Awrey who has quite the hockey experience as well.
Awrey spent 16 years in the NHL from 1963-1979. In his almost two decades in the league, he played nearly a thousand games for some of the most historic teams ever. He spent the majority of his time in Boston with the Bruins but also played for the Blues, Canadiens, Penguins, Rangers and Rockies.
"It wasn’t something that I started out to be a pro, but it just happened," Awrey said.
Awrey won two Stanley Cups in Boston with the Bobby Orr-led Bruins.
"I couldn’t put the puck in the ocean," Awrey said. "I wasn’t like Bobby Orr. His record precedes me."
Awrey won another championship with the Canadiens in 1976. He still remembers the feeling of hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head and the multitude of celebrations that followed.
After he officially hung up his skates, Done moved to Lehigh. However, he couldn't give up the game he loved. So, Awrey started playing old-timer hockey at Hertz Arena.
Then, an opportunity with the Everblades arose that he couldn't pass up. For years, Awrey has been an off-ice official, tracking every shot of every Everblades game.
"It was just one of the things that I wanted to do," Awrey said.
This position lets Awrey enjoy the game he loves even into his 80s.
"I do the statistics, go home at night, and don’t have to worry about going to practice the next day," Awrey said while laughing.
His wife is also an off-ice official. The two sit next to each other in the Hertz Arena press box during every game, watching the action and tracking their individual stats. They have no plans on stopping anytime soon.
"As long as I’m on this side of the ground, I guess I will," Awrey said. "As long as they want me and I’m doing a good job."
A three-time Stanley Cup champion is helping the back-to-back-to-back Kelly Cup champions.