The Newcastle Northstars have announced that former head coach Don Champagne has passed away aged 71. Champagne was head coach for the Northstars from 2002 to 2011, winning four Goodall Cups. He also served as head coach of the Australian men’s national team at the 2006 World Championship Division II Group B tournament where they won bronze.
Update: On 15 August the Northstars announced they will be naming a grandstand in Champagne’s honour.
Geez: I had NO idea that Don had passed away 2 year ago.
For the record, I befriended Don in Edmonton, Alta, Canada in the 80’s and we became very close friends.
At some point, he hooked-up with Angy, a beauty from Australia,- and I did the same with an ex beauty queen (Miss. Hawkes Bay) . Eventually, Don ended up in Newastele, OZ and I went to Wellington New Zealand.
I can’t believe he passed away and neglected to let me know . . . . .
Will pray foryour soul, my brother
Love,
Jaap G. Klasema
jaapklasema@gmail.com
PS: If anyone can get me Angie’s e-mail address, it would be much appreciated.
I don’t think many people see the comments on this website. You might have better luck getting Angie’s email by contacting the Newcastle Northstars or Legends of Australian Ice via their Facebook pages as they have better contacts in the hockey community.