Brent Daugherty, A Chatham-Kent Athlete Who Came baCK

Chatham-Kent sends athletes across Ontario, Canada, and the globe each year to compete athletically. Sponsored by baCK to Chatham-Kent, we’ll be featuring local athletes who have left Chatham-Kent, and are now baCK, living, working, and staying connected to our own vibrant sports community in CK.

This week, we feature Dresden’s Brent Daugherty.

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

Now, he is baCK living and working in Chatham-Kent.

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

1. Where did you grow up?

I was born, raised and currently reside in Dresden.  I went through elementary school and high school in Dresden until Grade 10, when I went to Sudbury to play OHL for the Sudbury Wolves.

2. What is your favourite Chatham-Kent pastime?

Our favourite pastime is cruising in our Jeep we had with the roof off, but now love cruising in our boat and kayaks.  We enjoy the awesome outdoors here in Chatham-Kent. We have enjoyed watching our son, Drake participate in all the various sports in Chatham-Kent and with his school teams.  He played baseball, hockey, and soccer.  On any given night there is usually a game somewhere around town. Local pizza from a choice of stores and the Sugar Spoon ice cream were family favourites after watching all the sports.

3. What did you do after high school?

I played for the Sudbury Wolves for 2 1/2 years, was traded to the London Knights, and then went on to Flint IHL at end of season to finish the season there in the playoffs.  My OHL career was coming to an end and I was planning on pursuing an OUAA opportunity at York University as my wife/girlfriend Kim at the time was there playing for the Yeowomen and pursuing a degree. That didn’t materialize so I went to Sarnia Jr. B because I was offered a full time job at Imperial Oil . I played a season there defeating the Chatham Maroons and going to the semi-finals of Ontario for Junior B . The job offer never materialized so I was going to Scotland to play pro while Kim pursued a Physio degree. This also fell through at the last minute so I went back to Flint IHL. I came home and supported Kim, played Senior B for a couple years then stopped playing, until 7 years later decided to pursue coaching so 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, North Carolina

4. Why did you choose to move baCK to Chatham-Kent? What are you doing now? What has made you happiest, or been the best surprise about moving baCK to Chatham-Kent?

My father got ill so we moved back to Dresden. I coached every level for hockey from Novice House League to ‘AAA’ Midget, to Junior C. I also coached the U15 Program of Excellence OHF/OHL for about 6 years, I coached Power Skating with Kim also. We then enjoyed watching our son, Drake conquer sports in car racing, baseball, hockey and all school sports. There are lots of activities to get involved with in Chatham-Kent, just pick your passion and jump in. 

Currently, I work for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at Wallaceburg Cemetery as an equipment operator and also help with Public Works when needed for specific equipment. My family enjoys recreational activities and watching the various kids sports around the area.