By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Hockey NL is recongnizing Calvert native Dale Sullivan's achievements as one of the most talented players and effective coaches in the province by inducting him into its Hall of Fame next Month.
A pair of Southern Shore hockey enthusiasts will be inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame next month, joining a small but prestigious list of residents from the area who previously earned the call to the hall.
Nick Aylward, whose involvement with hockey on the Southern Shore dates back to the early 1990s, will be inducted as a builder while Dale Sullivan, who was drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2001, will be inducted as a player.
They will join Southern Shore alumni including Ryan Clowe, Ray Dalton, Andy Sullivan, Tracy Sullivan and the late Ken Williams in the hall.
“I'm surprised. Never, ever expected that I would be inducted into the hockey hall of fame,” said Aylward. “I was involved because I am a big hockey fan and my kids started in the early 90s. I ended up going from coaching to being president of the league. And then fundraising to keep the arena opened and working on the executive of the arena board for 30-odd years.”
Aylward grew up playing hockey on the pond back in the day as there was no arena at the time. He began coaching his son Nick junior when he was seven and continued through until he turned 18, then becoming involved in junior and senior hockey in the area.
His work as the longest-serving member of the Southern Shore Ken Williams Arena board focuses on fundraising and making it sustainable as a standalone facility.
“We don't have any money directly coming in from councils or anything else,” said Aylward. “We have to make enough money to pay the bills.”
The formal induction notice from the Hall outlines how Aylward has consistently stepped up as a community leader, handling everything from fundraising to mentorship, while advocating for hockey during challenging times like the period following the 1992 cod moratorium.
“His impact extends to school sports and has inspired future generations of players and coaches, earning him multiple awards recognizing his outstanding volunteerism and leadership,” reads the Hall of Fame release.
Aylward said a lot of his winter is spent traveling the province to watch his two granddaughters play hockey.
“I get to every one of their games all over the island,” he said.
Sullivan, who serves with Aylward on the arena board, was credited for building an outstanding hockey career with success at the provincial, national, and international levels.
Sullivan represented Team Atlantic at the Under-17 World Hockey Championship and was drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2001. He played major junior with the Hull Olympiques, where he served as assistant captain and helped lead the team to a President’s Cup and a Memorial Cup final appearance.
He returned home and excelled in senior hockey with the Southern Shore Breakers and Clarenville Caribous, winning an Allan Cup in 2010-11 and a Herder Memorial Trophy in 2012 while consistently ranking among the league’s top players.
Following his playing career, Sullivan transitioned into coaching, leading the Southern Shore Junior Breakers to a league championship and contributing to multiple Herder-winning teams, while also mentoring young players through his Island Sentinels Hockey Program.
“Through his continued leadership, success, and dedication to developing the next generation, Sullivan has made a lasting impact on hockey in the province and is a highly deserving Hall of Fame nominee,” reads the Hall of Fame release.
Hockey NL will honour the new class of inductees at its Annual General Meeting and Induction Ceremony on June 13 at the Albatross Hotel in Gander.
