Derek Holmes (ice hockey): Difference between revisions

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[[File:St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) Arena.jpg|thumb|left|Holmes played for the Buzzers at the [[St. Michael’s College School Arena]].|alt=External view of arena with the school’s name and logo]]

[[File:St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) Arena.jpg|thumb|left|Holmes played for the Buzzers at the [[St. Michael’s College School Arena]].|alt=External view of arena with the school’s name and logo]]

Holmes played for the [[Wembley Lions]] of the [[British National League (1954–60)|British National League]] during the 1959–60 season,<ref name=”IIHF” /><ref name=”hockeydb” /><ref name=”eurohockey” /> later commenting that “it was the best thing that ever happened to me”.<ref name=”McDonald”>{{cite web|url=http://canadiansporthistory.ca/champion-magazine/march-1979-mars/hockey-team-is-back-on-the-ice/|title=Hockey team is back on the ice|last=McDonald|first=David|date=March 1979|website=Canadian Sport History|access-date=August 4, 2018}}</ref> He had signed a contract to play in Italy for the next season, when [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) president [[Bunny Ahearne]] recruited Holmes to coach the [[Finland men’s national ice hockey team]] since its coach [[Joe Wirkkunen]] had become ill. Holmes then asked his mother to send him ”The Hockey Handbook” by [[Lloyd Percival]], after noticing that Soviet coach [[Anatoly Tarasov]] used the book.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> Holmes travelled Finland scouting players and hosted coaching and goaltender clinics,<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> and coached a club team in Finland.<ref name=”Oliver-226″>Oliver, Greg (2017), p. 226</ref> Holmes assembled a national team with an average age less than 23, and only two players spoke English. Finland finished seventh at the [[1961 Ice Hockey World Championships]] with one win versus the [[West Germany men’s national ice hockey team]], one tie versus the [[East Germany men’s national ice hockey team]], and five losses. After one year of coaching, Holmes resumed his playing career.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ />

for the [[Wembley Lions]] of the [[British National League (1954–60)|British National League]] during the 1959–60 season,<ref name=”IIHF” /><ref name=”hockeydb” /><ref name=”eurohockey” /> “it was the best thing that ever happened to me”.<ref name=”McDonald”>{{cite web|url=http://canadiansporthistory.ca/champion-magazine/march-1979-mars/hockey-team-is-back-on-the-ice/|title=Hockey team is back on the ice|last=McDonald|first=David|date=March 1979|website=Canadian Sport History|access-date=August 4, 2018}}</ref> He had signed a contract to play in Italy for the next season, when [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) president [[Bunny Ahearne]] recruited Holmes to coach the [[Finland men’s national ice hockey team]] since its coach [[Joe Wirkkunen]] had become ill. Holmes asked his mother to send him ”The Hockey Handbook” by [[Lloyd Percival]], after noticing that Soviet coach [[Anatoly Tarasov]] used the book.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> Holmes travelled Finland scouting players and hosted coaching and goaltender clinics,<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> and coached a club team in Finland.<ref name=”Oliver-226″>Oliver, Greg (2017), p. 226</ref> assembled a national team with an average age less than 23, and only two players spoke English. Finland finished seventh at the [[1961 Ice Hockey World Championships]] with one win versus the [[West Germany men’s national ice hockey team]], one tie versus the [[East Germany men’s national ice hockey team]], and five losses. After one year of coaching, Holmes resumed his playing career.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ />

Beginning the 1962–63 season on the [[Windsor Bulldogs]] in the [[OHA Senior A League (1890–1979)|OHA Senior A League]],<ref name=”hockeydb” /><ref name=”eurohockey” /> Holmes finished with the Kemptville-Prescott Combines team in the [[Hockey Eastern Ontario|Ottawa District Hockey Association]] (ODHA).<ref name=”Kulp”>{{cite web|url=https://www.insideottawavalley.com/sports-story/7606228-curling-hockey-builders-among-2017-inductees-into-kemptville-district-sports-hall-of-fame/|title=Curling, hockey builders among 2017 inductees into Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame|last=Kulp|first=Ashley|date=October 10, 2017|website=Inside Ottawa Valley|access-date=August 5, 2018}}</ref> Holmes was captain of this team which shared home games between Kemptville and [[Prescott, Ontario|Prescott]], won the ODHA Senior A championship versus the Ottawa Montagnards, and reached the Eastern Canada quarterfinals for the [[1963 Allan Cup]].<ref name=”Kulp” /> During the 1960s before and after his time in Europe, he won four St. Lawrence Senior Hockey League championships.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ />

Beginning the 1962–63 season on the [[Windsor Bulldogs]] in the [[OHA Senior A League (1890–1979)|OHA Senior A League]],<ref name=”hockeydb” /><ref name=”eurohockey” /> Holmes finished with the Kemptville-Prescott Combines team in the [[Hockey Eastern Ontario|Ottawa District Hockey Association]] (ODHA).<ref name=”Kulp”>{{cite web|url=https://www.insideottawavalley.com/sports-story/7606228-curling-hockey-builders-among-2017-inductees-into-kemptville-district-sports-hall-of-fame/|title=Curling, hockey builders among 2017 inductees into Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame|last=Kulp|first=Ashley|date=October 10, 2017|website=Inside Ottawa Valley|access-date=August 5, 2018}}</ref> Holmes was captain of this team which shared home games between Kemptville and [[Prescott, Ontario|Prescott]], won the ODHA Senior A championship versus the Ottawa Montagnards, and reached the Eastern Canada quarterfinals for the [[1963 Allan Cup]].<ref name=”Kulp” /> During the 1960s before and after his time in Europe, he won four St. Lawrence Senior Hockey League championships.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ />

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[[File:Spengler Cup.JPG|thumb|upright|The Spengler Cup trophy|alt=An translucent orb supported by transparent hockey sticks, all made of glass]]

[[File:Spengler Cup.JPG|thumb|upright|The Spengler Cup trophy|alt=An translucent orb supported by transparent hockey sticks, all made of glass]]

Moving to Switzerland for the 1963–64 season, Holmes was a [[player-coach]] for [[EHC Visp]] and won the [[Swiss Cup (ice hockey)|Swiss Cup]]. Playing for [[EC Kitzbühel]] in Austria in the following season, he was the most valuable player award at the 1965 [[Spengler Cup]].<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> Subsequent teams included playing for [[HC La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in France, then [[EV Zug]], and [[HC Ambrì-Piotta]] in Switzerland.<ref name=”IIHF” /><ref name=”KDSHOF” /> During these years, he also spent time as a player-coach for the [[Switzerland men’s national ice hockey team]], and the [[Austria men’s national ice hockey team]].<ref name=”Bownass” /><ref name=”Clash” />

Moving to Switzerland for the 1963–64 season, Holmes was a [[player-coach]] for [[EHC Visp]] and won the [[Swiss Cup (ice hockey)|Swiss Cup]]. Playing for [[EC Kitzbühel]] in Austria in the following season, he was the most valuable player award at the 1965 [[Spengler Cup]].<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> Subsequent teams included playing for [[HC La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in France, then [[EV Zug]], and [[HC Ambrì-Piotta]] in Switzerland.<ref name=”IIHF” /><ref name=”KDSHOF” /> During these years, he also spent time as a player-coach for the [[Switzerland men’s national ice hockey team]], and the [[Austria men’s national ice hockey team]].<ref name=”Bownass” /><ref name=”Clash” />

Playing senior hockey in [[Morrisburg, Ontario]], during the 1966–67 season,<ref name=”Bownass”>{{cite news|title=Bownass Will Soon Get Chance To See How Good His Nats Are|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|date=November 17, 1967|page=26|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-nov-17-1967-777414/}}</ref> Holmes joined the [[Canada men’s national ice hockey team]] when it was divided into western and eastern branches in 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osoyoostimes.com/former-members-canadas-national-hockey-team-hold-reunion-osoyoos/|title=Former members of Canada’s national hockey team hold reunion in Osoyoos|last=Lacey|first=Keith|date=October 24, 2017|website=Osoyoos Times|access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref> Playing for head [[Jack Bownass]],<ref name=”Bownass” /><ref name=”Clash”>{{cite news|title=National Clubs Clash Thursday|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|date=January 24, 1968|page=50|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jan-24-1968-777421/}}</ref> Holmes was named captain of the Eastern National Team.<ref name=”IIHF” /><ref name=”KDSHOF”>{{cite web|url=https://kemptvillesportshalloffame.ca/inductees/derek-holmes/|title=Derek Holmes|date=2012|website=Kemptville District Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> In the 1967–68 season, Team Canada played in the [[Quebec Senior Hockey League]] to prepare for the [[1968 Winter Olympics]], but Holmes missed the Olympics with a hip injury. His tenure with the national team ended following the [[1969 Ice Hockey World Championships]] in Stockholm where Canada placed fourth.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ />

Playing senior hockey in [[Morrisburg, Ontario]], during the 1966–67 season,<ref name=”Bownass”>{{cite news|title=Bownass Will Soon Get Chance To See How Good His Nats Are|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|date=November 17, 1967|page=26|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-nov-17-1967-777414/}}</ref> Holmes joined the [[Canada men’s national ice hockey team]] when it was divided into western and eastern branches in 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osoyoostimes.com/former-members-canadas-national-hockey-team-hold-reunion-osoyoos/|title=Former members of Canada’s national hockey team hold reunion in Osoyoos|last=Lacey|first=Keith|date=October 24, 2017|website=Osoyoos Times|access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref> Playing for head [[Jack Bownass]],<ref name=”Bownass” /><ref name=”Clash”>{{cite news|title=National Clubs Clash Thursday|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|date=January 24, 1968|page=50|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jan-24-1968-777421/}}</ref> Holmes was named captain of the Eastern National Team.<ref name=”IIHF” /><ref name=”KDSHOF”>{{cite web|url=https://kemptvillesportshalloffame.ca/inductees/derek-holmes/|title=Derek Holmes|date=2012|website=Kemptville District Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> In the 1967–68 season, Team Canada played in the [[Quebec Senior Hockey League]] to prepare for the [[1968 Winter Olympics]], but Holmes missed the Olympics with a hip injury. His tenure with the national team ended following the [[1969 Ice Hockey World Championships]] in Stockholm where Canada placed fourth.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ />

Holmes played senior ice hockey for the Ottawa Nationals during the 1968–69 season, and briefly for the Rochester Junior Americans and Syracuse Stars in the 1969–70 season.<ref name=”hockeydb” /><ref name=”eurohockey” /> Played two seasons for [[Carleton Ravens men’s ice hockey]] from 1969 to 1971, he was captain of the 1971 [[Ontario University Athletics|Ontario-Quebec Athletic Association]] eastern division champions, was named a league all-star, and graduated from [[Carleton University]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in history.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> During the 1971–72 and 1973–74 season, he was a player-coach in the Swiss National League, and head coach of Switzerland at the [[1972 Winter Olympics]] and the [[1972 Ice Hockey World Championships]]. He led Switzerland to tenth place at the Olympics, and sixth place at the World Championships.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> In Canada, Holmes coached the [[Rockland Nationals|Ottawa M and W Rangers]] team in the [[Central Canada Hockey League]] during the 1972–73 season, which included future IIHF medical officer [[Mark Aubry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0032181973.html|title=Ottawa M and W Rangers 1972-73 roster and scoring statistics|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=August 2, 2018}}</ref> The Rangers finished the season with 30 wins and 5 ties, in 55 games played.<ref name=”hockeydb” />

Holmes played senior ice hockey for the Ottawa Nationals during the 1968–69 season, and briefly for the Rochester Junior Americans and Syracuse Stars in the 1969–70 season.<ref name=”hockeydb” /><ref name=”eurohockey” /> Played two seasons for [[Carleton Ravens men’s ice hockey]] from 1969 to 1971, he was captain of the 1971 [[Ontario University Athletics|Ontario-Quebec Athletic Association]] eastern division champions, was named a league all-star, and graduated from [[Carleton University]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in history.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> During the 1971–72 and 1973–74 season, he was a player-coach in the Swiss National League, and head coach of Switzerland at the [[1972 Winter Olympics]] and the [[1972 Ice Hockey World Championships]]. He led Switzerland to tenth place at the Olympics, and sixth place at the World Championships.<ref name=”Cleary-2021″ /> In Canada, Holmes coached the [[Rockland Nationals|Ottawa M and W Rangers]] team in the [[Central Canada Hockey League]] during the 1972–73 season, which included future IIHF medical officer [[Mark Aubry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0032181973.html|title=Ottawa M and W Rangers 1972-73 roster and scoring statistics|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=August 2, 2018}}</ref> The Rangers finished the season with 30 wins and 5 ties, in 55 games played.<ref name=”hockeydb” />

==Hockey Canada==

==Hockey Canada==

Canadian ice hockey player and executive (1939–2025)

Derek Leroy Holmes (August 15, 1939 – November 24, 2025) was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, administrator and agent. He served as captain of the Eastern Canadian national team during the late 1960s, and was the technical director of Hockey Canada from 1974 to 1980. He managed the Canadian national teams at the 1977 and 1978 Ice Hockey World Championships, and helped build the 1980 Winter Olympics team. Holmes spent many years on the international ice hockey stage, which included being head coach of Team Finland and Team Switzerland, and later as an international ice hockey agent signing many players to European teams. He was inducted into the builder category of the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1999, the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 2021, and is a double inductee into the Kemptville District Sports Hall of Fame.

Derek Leroy Holmes[1] was born in Kemptville, Ontario, on August 15, 1939.[2][3][4] He was the third of four children to Thomas Fraser Holmes and Elsie Stewart, and had two brothers and a sister.[1] He played minor ice hockey in Kemptville,[5] and was primarily as a centre, with a right-hand shot.[3]

Holmes played junior ice hockey with the Kemptville Royals at age 15, winning the St. Lawrence Hockey League title and a Citizen Shield in 1957.[5][6] Recruited by Bob Davidson of the Toronto Maple Leafs to play for the St. Michael’s Buzzers, Holmes attended St. Michael’s College School and won the Toronto city championship.[5][7] Leaving Toronto after one season, he was captain of the Ottawa Shamrocks in the Interprovincial Junior Hockey League for one season, then was the league’s most valuable player next season for the Ottawa Montagnards. After the Montagnards completed the playoffs, Holmes joined the Pembroke Lumber Kings winning the league championship, and briefly played for Ottawa CTC in the Interprovincial Senior Hockey League.[5]

External view of arena with the school's name and logo
Holmes played for the Buzzers at the St. Michael’s College School Arena.

Playign for the Wembley Lions of the British National League during the 1959–60 season,[2][3][4] Holmes felt “it was the best thing that ever happened to me”.[8] He had signed a contract to play in Italy for the next season, when International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) president Bunny Ahearne recruited Holmes to coach the Finland men’s national team since its coach Joe Wirkkunen had become ill. Holmes asked his mother to send him The Hockey Handbook by Lloyd Percival, after noticing that Soviet coach Anatoly Tarasov used the book.[5] Holmes travelled Finland scouting players and hosted coaching and goaltender clinics,[5] and coached a club team in Finland.[9] He assembled a national team with an average age less than 23, and only two players who spoke English. Finland finished seventh at the 1961 World Championships with one win versus the West Germany, one tie versus the East Germany, and five losses. After one year of coaching, Holmes resumed his playing career.[5]

Beginning the 1962–63 season on the Windsor Bulldogs in the OHA Senior A League,[3][4] Holmes finished with the Kemptville-Prescott Combines team in the Ottawa District Hockey Association (ODHA).[10] Holmes was captain of this team which shared home games between Kemptville and Prescott, won the ODHA Senior A championship versus the Ottawa Montagnards, and reached the Eastern Canada quarterfinals for the 1963 Allan Cup.[10] During the 1960s before and after his time in Europe, he won four St. Lawrence Senior Hockey League championships.[5]

An translucent orb supported by transparent hockey sticks, all made of glass
The Spengler Cup trophy

Moving to Switzerland for the 1963–64 season, Holmes was a player-coach for EHC Visp and won the Swiss Cup. Playing for EC Kitzbühel in Austria in the following season, he was the most valuable player award at the 1965 Spengler Cup.[5] Subsequent teams included playing for HC La Chaux-de-Fonds in France, then EV Zug, and HC Ambrì-Piotta in Switzerland.[2][11] During these years, he also spent time as a player-coach for the Switzerland men’s national team, and the Austria men’s national team.[12][13]

Playing senior hockey in Morrisburg, Ontario, during the 1966–67 season,[12] Holmes joined the Canada men’s national team when it was divided into western and eastern branches in 1967.[14] Playing for head Jack Bownass,[12][13] Holmes was named captain of the Eastern National Team.[2][11] In the 1967–68 season, Team Canada played in the Quebec Senior Hockey League to prepare for the 1968 Winter Olympics, but Holmes missed the Olympics with a hip injury. His tenure with the national team ended following the 1969 World Championships in Stockholm where Canada placed fourth.[5]

Holmes played senior ice hockey for the Ottawa Nationals during the 1968–69 season, and briefly for the Rochester Junior Americans and Syracuse Stars in the 1969–70 season.[3][4] Played two seasons for the Carleton Ravens from 1969 to 1971, he was captain of the 1971 Ontario-Quebec Athletic Association eastern division champions, was named a league all-star, and graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts in history.[5] During the 1971–72 and 1973–74 season, he was a player-coach in the Swiss National League, and head coach of Switzerland at the 1972 Winter Olympics and the 1972 World Championships. He led Switzerland to tenth place at the Olympics, and sixth place at the World Championships.[5] In Canada, Holmes coached the Ottawa M and W Rangers team in the Central Canada Hockey League during the 1972–73 season, which included future IIHF medical officer Mark Aubry.[15] The Rangers finished the season with 30 wins and 5 ties, in 55 games played.[3]

Holmes was recruited by Doug Fisher and Lou Lefaive while he was coaching Switzerland at the 1972 World Ice Hockey Championships, to become a full-time employee for Hockey Canada.[16] He began working for Hockey Canada in April 1974, and said its purpose was to “beat the Russians“.[8] He served as the technical director from 1974 to 1980,[2][11] and summarized his work with Hockey Canada as being a project coordinator, administrator, and scouting Team Canada players for the Ice Hockey World Championships, and the 1980 Winter Olympics.[8] He also supported Chinese players seeking experience in Canada.[17]

Black and white photo of Bauer in 1944 dressed in a St. Michael's Majors hockey uniform
Holmes worked with David Bauer to select players for Team Canada

When Hockey Canada reorganized in July 1976, Holmes’ title was executive secretary-treasurer at the time.[18] Holmes scouted the competition at the 1976 Ice Hockey World Championships, and predicted that no country would dominate the upcoming 1976 Canada Cup.[19] He later felt that Team Canada was favoured,[20] on a team assembled by Sam Pollock.[21] Holmes said that reestablishing the Canadian Olympic hockey team became more likely, due to the 1976 Canada Cup allowing best-on-best competition for Canada.[8] The Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union proposed developing a university team for the 1980 Winter Olympics, but Holmes thought that it would exclude deserving junior ice hockey players.[22] Holmes supported Father David Bauer being put in charge of a committee for selecting a team for the 1980 Winter Olympics.[18]

Hockey Canada selected Holmes as the committee chairman for the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championships team.[23] The event was to be Canada’s return to the Ice Hockey World Championships since its withdrawal from international play in 1970, and he anticipated using National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA) players whose teams had been eliminated from the playoffs.[21] He and assistant Bill Watters compiled the tournament roster.[9][24] Holmes said that Canadians had low expectations for the national team at the 1977 World Ice Hockey Championships, and “I think there are a lot of awfully good hockey players who never got a chance to play on a Team Canada”.[25][26]

Holmes searched for a coach that would bring new ideas to the team, possibly an amateur or college coach.[27] Johnny Wilson was later appointed coach of Team Canada.[28] Holmes served as an assistant coach to Wilson, along with Phil Esposito.[29] He stressed that Canada needed to be disciplined on the ice, due to the lengthy trip, roster size, and style of international play.[30] After a fourth-place finished at the 1977 World Ice Hockey Championships, Holmes said the team was not disciplined enough, and that roster limitations prevented Team Canada from replacing those players.[31] He recommended going back to a permanent national team similar to Father Bauer’s team in the 1960s.[31]

Holmes and Watters resumed the same roles in managing the 1978 Ice Hockey World Championships team.[9] Holmes spent extensive time scouting the opposition teams between championships.[32] They aimed for a more disciplined team for international play.[33] In 1978, he had difficulties getting commitments from players for the national team, since the NHL and the WHA were signing players to minor league contracts, instead of allowing them to play internationally.[34] Holmes stated that European countries began to have the same difficulty as Canada, due to professionals being unavailable due to NHL and WHA schedules.[33] Holmes served as an assistant coach again for the 1978 World Ice Hockey Championships.[4] Canada improved to a third-place finish in 1978.[35]

Hockey game action photo
Canada versus the Netherlands at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games

Attending tryouts for Team Canada at the 1980 Winter Olympics, Holmes worked with Father Bauer and Georges Larivière to build a team in the summer of 1978.[36] Holmes’ plan for the national program was to make a junior team for the World Juniors, and a senior team for other tournaments.[36] He assessed played on self-discipline, and characters, looked for more innovative coaching techniques.[8] He selected 65 players from those available at the junior, senior, and college levels, and those playing in Europe as amateurs, for further evaluation.[8] He also considered asking NHL and WHA teams to assign draft picks to Team Canada, rather than being signed to minor league contracts.[36] The team played exhibition games versus NHL and WHA teams, and international tournaments including the Izvestia Cup.[8] Canada finished sixth-place in ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics.[37]

When Lou Lefaive became president of Hockey Canada in 1980, it lessened administrative duties on Holmes who then focused on technical director duties.[38] Holmes resigned his position on March 31, 1980, without giving a reason.[39] Author William Houston speculated that Holmes had grown tired of working with Alan Eagleson.[40] Holmes said later in an interview, that Eagleson never felt his actions were wrong, that he could do anything he wanted regardless of the opinions of others, and took credit where it wasn’t due.[41] Holmes was at the Hotel International Prague during the 1972 World Ice Hockey Championships, and said that Eagleson did not take part in the 1972 Summit Series negotiations, and was actually told to mind his own business.[42]

Six years after leaving Hockey Canada and working in the private sector, Holmes was a full-time international hockey player agent until 2018. Using his contacts, he facilitated players moving from Canada to Europe and vice versa.[5] Following the NHL–WHA merger, he facilitated increased player movement to Europe. He expected the trend to continue until teams reached league regulations to limit the number of import players per team.[43] He found a contract for Garry Monahan in Japan,[44] and negotiated a deal for Denis Potvin to play in Europe.[45] Other notable clients included Bruce Cassidy, Fran Huck, Dale McCourt, Rick Middleton, Morris Mott, Danny O’Shea, and Kevin O’Shea.[5][46] Cassidy described Holmes saying, “he became like an adopted father to me, offering much more than simple hockey advice”.[5]

Holmes was contacted by the planned Global Hockey League in 1990 to be an associated player agent, but he declined stating that it was poorly planned, and he would not represent Canadians in the league.[47]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Holmes was married to Louise Cornu for more than 55 years, was a member of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. He died on November 24, 2025, at age 86.[1]

In 1999, Holmes was inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame in the builder category.[4][11] He was inducted into Kemptville District Sports Hall of Fame as an individual in 2012, and then inducted a second time in 2017, as a member of the 1962–63 Kemptville-Prescott Combines team.[10][48] He was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame during a virtual ceremony in 2021, when the original ceremony was postponed from 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[48][49]

  1. ^ a b c “Obituary information for Derek Leroy Holmes”. Hulse, Playfair & McGarry. Ottawa, Ontario. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e “IIHF Honour Roll: Derek Holmes”. Legends of Hockey. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f “Derek Holmes (b.1939) hockey statistics and profile”. hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f “Derek Holmes profile”. Eurohockey.com. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Cleary, Martin (March 25, 2021). “Kemptville-born Derek Holmes: Finland’s first foreign coach”. Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  6. ^ Gaw, Sam (February 1, 2017). “Kemptville Royals hockey team 1957”. The North Grenville Times. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  7. ^ Ferguson, Bob (2005), p. 204
  8. ^ a b c d e f g McDonald, David (March 1979). “Hockey team is back on the ice”. Canadian Sport History. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c Oliver, Greg (2017), p. 226
  10. ^ a b c Kulp, Ashley (October 10, 2017). “Curling, hockey builders among 2017 inductees into Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame”. Inside Ottawa Valley. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d “Derek Holmes”. Kemptville District Sports Hall of Fame. 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c “Bownass Will Soon Get Chance To See How Good His Nats Are”. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. November 17, 1967. p. 26.
  13. ^ a b “National Clubs Clash Thursday”. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. January 24, 1968. p. 50.
  14. ^ Lacey, Keith (October 24, 2017). “Former members of Canada’s national hockey team hold reunion in Osoyoos”. Osoyoos Times. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  15. ^ “Ottawa M and W Rangers 1972-73 roster and scoring statistics”. hockeydb.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  16. ^ Houston & Shoalts (1993), p. 77
  17. ^ “Chinese players seek experience”. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. September 14, 1977. p. 75.
  18. ^ a b “Hockey Canada gets it together”. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. July 15, 1976. p. 29.
  19. ^ “World tourney preview: Nobody will dominate, predicts Holmes”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. April 28, 1976. p. 8.
  20. ^ “Team Canada favored… Europeans’ conditioning key factor”. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. August 9, 1976. p. 49.
  21. ^ a b “New manager enthusiastic about world hockey squad”. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. October 6, 1976. p. 29.
  22. ^ “Exhibitions of value to college puck men”. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. March 3, 1976. p. 62.
  23. ^ “Canada Cup profit $2.2 million”. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. October 5, 1976. p. 50.
  24. ^ Wharnsby, Tim (April 27, 2005). “The year Canada was thrown to the wolves”. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  25. ^ “Pros are eager to play”. Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. January 22, 1977. p. 10.
  26. ^ “Team Canada: Mission Impossible?”. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. April 5, 1977. p. 66.
  27. ^ “Coach could be a surprise”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. February 11, 1977. p. 6.
  28. ^ Davidson, Bill (March 29, 1977). “Wilson to lead Canada at the world tournament”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. p. 6.
  29. ^ Sutton, Gerry (April 5, 1977). “Team Canada ’77 raring to go”. Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. p. 15.
  30. ^ “Discipline is the key”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. March 10, 1977. p. 7.
  31. ^ a b “Roster limitations prevented Team Canada suspensions”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. May 18, 1977. p. 16.
  32. ^ “Scouting the opposition without a team behind”. Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. March 29, 1978. p. 12.
  33. ^ a b “Team Canada ’78 boasting lots of youth, skating ability”. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. April 18, 1978. p. 31.
  34. ^ Oliver, Greg (2017), p. 228
  35. ^ “Championnats du monde 1978”. Hockey Archives (in French). Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  36. ^ a b c “Tryout camp set for Team Canada”. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. May 2, 1978. p. 22.
  37. ^ “Jeux Olympiques de Lake Placid 1980”. Hockey Archives (in French). Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  38. ^ “Lefaive going from frying pan into fire?”. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. January 22, 1980. p. 10.
  39. ^ “Holmes resigns”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. April 2, 1980. p. 9.
  40. ^ Houston & Shoalts (1993), p. 84
  41. ^ Houston & Shoalts (1993), p. 210
  42. ^ Houston & Shoalts (1993), p. 76
  43. ^ Sarner, Robert (May 17, 1980). “Canada Returns The Favour”. Toronto Star. p. 205.
  44. ^ “Monahan feels at home chasing pucks in Japan”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. October 8, 1980. p. 15.
  45. ^ “NHL Notebook”. Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. February 22, 1986. p. 8.
  46. ^ “Need a job?”. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. September 22, 1988. p. 18.
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  48. ^ a b Kulp, Ashley (January 31, 2020). “Kemptville hockey pioneer Derek Holmes to be inducted into Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame”. Kemptville Advance. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  49. ^ “Ottawa Sport Hall Of Fame Announces Virtual 2020–2021 Induction Awards Ceremony”. Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame. March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.

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