Grateful North Bay hockey coach back on the bench after medical crisis

A long-time minor hockey coach and volunteer is back behind the bench after having his leg amputated. He’s now thanking the community for their support. When there’s a break in the play, it’s a rare moment if you don’t see Willie Cowie talking to the players on his U13 house league team about the spirit of the game.

He also provides support when the puck doesn’t bounce the right way. “He’s very special. If I get frustrated on the ice, he just helps me out and tells me to calm down,” said defenceman Carter Showers.

“I get right back out there really confident.” Cowie describes minor hockey as his comfort zone. He played for a while when he was younger.

“I was kind of like a scrapper,” he said. “I like seeing the kids and the parents.” In November 2022, Cowie feared his time at the rink would end. A diabetic for more than 15 years, his left leg had to be amputated due to an infection.

Cowie spent both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in a hospital bed. When there’s a break in the play, it’s a rare moment if you don’t see Willie Cowie talking to the players on his U13 house league team about the spirit of the game. He also provides support when the puck doesn’t bounce the right way. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

When there’s a break in the play, it’s a rare moment if you don’t see Willie Cowie talking to the players on his U13 house league team about the spirit of the game. He also provides support when the puck doesn’t bounce the right way. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) “I really felt bad for him since he was in the hospital and I can relate to it,” said Liam Lester, a forward on Cowie’s team.

All hope seemed lost until the minor hockey community stepped in to help. A Facebook page called ‘Team Willie’ raised enough money to cover the nearly £15,000 cost of retrofitting his home so it could be accessible for his condition. Posts and railings needed to be installed in several areas of the house, including in the bathroom.

“Because of the community, that’s why Willie is back at the rink again,” said North Bay Minor Hockey Association president and fellow coach Darrell Pitman.

COMMUNITY STEPPED UP

“He wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get back here with his new (prosthetic) leg and his house fixed up.” Cowie was choked up when he reflected on the support he got from his friends, family and the entire hockey community. “I don’t know if I could have done it without the people who helped me,” he said, as he brushed away tears.

A volunteer for more than 30 years, Cowie would always ensure players had the equipment they needed. “He’ll give his last £5 to go buy a kid stuff, if he needs new skate laces or a neck guard if they can’t afford it,” said Pitman. A year after the surgery, with his health improving day by day.

Cowie is now back on the bench and can be seen yelling during the game, encouraging his players to give it all while on the ice. During team huddles, Pitman said he always spreads positive messages to the players. “It’s a funny world you know?

We need something to hang on to,” Cowie said. “Hockey, for me, is that thing.” A man with a big heart who gives so much for the game he’s passionate about, he got more than he could ask for in return.

“Thank you to everybody who’s helped me along,” he said fighting back tears.