The Niagara-on-the-Lake Sports Wall of Fame will welcome two new names this August: the late Mike Kappel and David Mines.
Mines is being recognized for more than 40 years of dedication to developing hockey and lacrosse in Niagara-on-the-Lake. He said the honour means a great deal, especially given his lifelong ties to the community.
“It’s quite an honour … for someone who’s grown up in the area, born here, work here (and) raised a family here,” he said.
Mines made his mark as a coach, trainer and general manager in both sports. Among his most notable accomplishments were back-to-back appearances in the All-Ontario midget hockey finals with the Niagara Wolves.
His team lost in 2016 but returned to win the championship on home ice in 2017.
“The crowds in those days, it was just great to see,” said Mines. “It was nice to win it at home.”
He also played a key role in the construction of the Meridian Credit Union Arena, which opened in 2003. It is one of two hockey rinks in town, alongside Centennial Arena.
Born in NOTL, Mines grew up playing hockey as a defenceman and pitched in baseball. He credits his father as a major influence in his life and his development as an athlete.
“I’m nine years younger than any of my siblings, so I think my dad had some time to spend with me a lot more,” said Mines. “The reason I am who I am is because of my father for sure.”
He began coaching hockey at age 16, when he and a friend led a local peewee house league team. After stepping away from travel hockey at 17, he coached intermittently for about 10 years before starting a family.
“When (his kids) finally got a little older, it was right behind the benches,” Mines said. “I was actually on a bench for Niagara Falls for a few years, coached a team in St. Catharines for a year, and ended up coming back to Niagara (on-the-Lake).”
Both of his sons played lacrosse, and Mines coached them as well, helping their teams win provincial championships in 2007 and 2008.
In 2007, he became president of Niagara-on-the-Lake Minor Hockey. A decade later, he joined the Junior B Thunderhawks lacrosse team and eventually served as general manager until 2020.
Through his decades in sport, Mines said one quality stands out as essential for any coach: commitment.
“I was fortunate that whatever bench I was on, I was surrounded by a bunch of good people,” he said. “It’s full time jumping from the hockey bench to the lacrosse bench — you’re not away from the arena too much.”
He acknowledged the many people who helped him throughout his career, especially those in the community who made sacrifices so children could play sports.
“I grew up in a time where there were tremendous families,” said Mines, noting many had six or seven children involved in sports. “There were real commitments from some people (regarding sports).”
Mines, along with Mike Kappel, will be inducted on Aug. 22 at the Meridian Credit Union Arena on Four Mile Creek Road — the facility he helped create. The social begins at 5 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 6 p.m. No registration is required.
