Brent Daugherty, a Chatham-Kent athlete who returned

Chatham-Kent sends athletes across Ontario, Canada and the world each year to compete in sport. Sponsored by back to Chatham-Kent, we will feature local athletes who have left Chatham-Kent and are now back, live, work and stay connected to our own vibrant sports community at CK.

This week we present Brent Daugherty from Dresden.

Brent Daugherty grew up in Dresden before playing for the Sudbury Wolves and London Knights of the OHL, before turning pro and playing in the IHL, UHL and Colonial Hockey League.

Now he’s back and lives and works in Chatham-Kent.

Here are Brent’s responses to our interview with Back to Chatham-Kent athletes:

1. Where did you grow up?

I was born, grew up and currently live in Dresden. I did my elementary and high school education in Dresden until grade 10 when I went to Sudbury to play in the OHL for the Sudbury Wolves.

2. What is your favorite pastime in Chatham-Kent?

Our favorite pastime is cruising in our Jeep which we had with the top open, but now we love to navigate our boat and our kayaks. We enjoy the awesome outdoors here in Chatham-Kent. We enjoyed seeing our son Drake participating in all the various sports in Chatham-Kent and with his school teams. He played baseball, hockey and soccer. Every night there is usually a game somewhere in town. Local pizza from a choice of stores and Sugar Spoon ice cream were family favorites after watching all the sports.

3. What did you do after high school?

I played for the Sudbury Wolves for 2.5 years, was traded to the London Knights, then moved to Flint IHL at the end of the season to finish the season there in the playoffs. My OHL career was drawing to a close and I was planning to pursue an OUAA opportunity at York University as my wife / girlfriend Kim at the time was playing for the Yeowomen and pursuing a degree. . It didn’t materialize, so I went to Sarnia Jr. B because I was offered a full time job with Imperial Oil. I played a season there beating the Chatham Maroons and going to the Ontario semi-finals for Junior B. The job offer never materialized, so I was going to Scotland. to play pro while Kim pursued a degree in physiotherapy. It also failed at the last minute so I went back to Flint IHL. I came home and supported Kim, played Senior B for a few years, then quit playing, until 7 years later I decided to become a coach, so I went back to play to get my foot in the door. At the age of 29, I played in Birmingham, Alabama, Port Huron, Michigan and Muskegon Michigan. Then picked up in the expansion draft to Binghamton NY, then traded to Winston-Salem, NC

4. Why did you choose to come back to Chatham-Kent? What are you doing now? What made you the happiest or was the best surprise about coming back to Chatham-Kent?

My father got sick so we went back to Dresden. I have coached all levels for hockey, from novice house league to midget ‘AAA’ to junior C. I have also coached the U15 OHF / OHL excellence program for about 6 years, I also coached intensive skating with Kim. We then enjoyed watching our son Drake conquer sports in car racing, baseball, hockey and all school sports. There are plenty of activities to participate in in Chatham-Kent, just pick your passion and get started.

Currently I work for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at Wallaceburg Cemetery as an Equipment Operator and also help with public works when required for specific equipment. My family enjoys recreational activities and watching the various children’s sports in the area.