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Ron & Carole Towle - 4/1/2008
All the best Don, looking forward to reading your Book. Dennis McEwen - 3/29/2008
The sole reason the London Knights and Tim Horton's have thrived throughout the years [black, double sugar, right?]. I learned a tremendous amount about life from you in my three years how to be a true professional and take care of myself. You even helped me buy my first car!
The hockey world and those lucky enough to have had the privilege of playing in a London Knights uniform will be losing a tremendous asset and true ambassador of the game. I truly wish you all the best, best wishes and good luck in your future endeavours. If you're ever in Norfolk, Virginia, please look me up. I'll love to buy you a coffee! Kara Kennedy - 3/28/2008
Branks, goodbye to you and all the best for a long and happy retirement. In the short time I've "known you" I have to say you are one class act. You always have a smile on your face and the time to stop and chat with a fan about your boys and your team. You are truly one of the nicest people I've met, and you will be missed personally, as well as on a team and city level. There is absolutely no one that could fill your shoes, no matter how hard they tried. Thanks for your dedication to the team, the fans and the City of London. I'm going to miss seeing you at the Market! Please don't be a stranger, visit often!
p.s. - your phone call the other night was an expected surprise! You made my day - you're an incredibly special and thoughtful person.
Kara Louie DeBrusk - 3/24/2008
Branks,
You were the best corner man I ever had!...always had my back. By far the hardest working man in the business. Good luck the rest of the way and have fun in retirement..
Friends Always,
Louiie B F - 3/19/2008
Branks, thanks for not quitting after the Knights won the Memorial Cup in 2005. Every year counted with you around. Hope the Knights retire your jersey. Sarah [Weaver] Watkin - 3/16/2008
Here's to you Don Brankley..the best, truest, and most loyal friend a young hockey player could ever have. It is an honour to have known you.Enjoy a long peaceful and healthy retirement.Yer the best Branks. J M - 3/16/2008
My family and I were at the game on Friday for your presentations....we were honored to have been a part of that and a part of what you have helped the knights become. Good luck with everything in the future. Roberta Feica - 3/14/2008
Well Mr Brankley [Branks] I have seen many years pass all starting at the Old London ice house our old "barn" My daughters worked every Fri night myself driving them from the East end of London to the South end and then picking them backup after the game . In doing so I feel now like I did after my daughters left the JLC a few years ago . Sad because it was so nice to see them smile with content where they were working along with your smile its contagious and makes others feel warm and welcomed . What you have done for this team "your team" London Knights these young men are so lucky to have such a wonderful person take the jounery every season has the snow falls and the in the spring the buds bloom . Its like a unwritten novel that belongs to every young man that you touched their lives . Your the BEST and not only did you fill their water bottles , fold their towels , dry their gloves you give them encougerment you also gave them "heart & soul" Your "HEART & Your SOUL" you are a wonderful man and deserve what life has to offer in your retirement . May God Bless you" Mr Branks" and walk with you along the way as you did all these young men .Good luck and keep smiling that great smile of yours like a ray of sunshine making others feel warm & safe inside. sincerly Roberta Feica [Bert] Art Johnston - 3/14/2008
Branks, Happy retirement! You have earned it my friend!! Best wishes and don't forget us in London. Walter Argent Jr. - 3/14/2008
I was at that volitile series in 1978 between Windsor and London when Branks got the nickname "Waterboy" at the barn. The series that lasted 14 games with each team winning 1 series only to lose it in the protest. The Niagara Falls Flyers played both teams in a Round Robin winning it or who knows what would have happened. Branks was the drawing card to the Barn and the game was a close second. I met him when I was stationed with the Army in London as we played at the Ice House just after the Knights practiced. Jeykel and Hyde personality. Gruff on the outside and a big pussycat on the inside. Thanks for the memories Branks, may you have a Long, Happy and Healthy Retirements. GO SPITS..... Paul Cadarian - 3/12/2008
Branks, or known to many Windsor Spitfires fans as "waterboy". It was a treat each and every game to have you heckle our goalies when they switched ends or have a comment to get under the skin of a savy veteran. Why did you do this? Because you loved all players and not just the Knights. You were truly a great trainer but more importantly a better person. Yes Don, even Windsor will miss you! Good luck and enjoy your retirement from all of the Windsor Spitfire fans! Daniel Richardson - 3/12/2008
Best wishes Don Brankley you were super good trainer GOD BLESS!!! M D - 3/5/2008
Thanks for your love & dedication that's helped so many future stars! You're more than just someone who "just does the laundry" to us all! Tom Madge - 3/4/2008
After moving to London in 1969 I'm proud to say The Knights have been my team for 37 years. Don Brankley was there every day, representing all that is good in hockey. A dedicated leader, mentor and friend to hundreds of young men coming through the Knight's system. Congratulations to Don for a career that with never be duplicated. Hope to see you at the rink Don.
Best Wishes for a well earned
retirement.
Tom Madge
Mississauga Andy Glomba - 1/25/2008
From the Gardens to the Ice House to the J.L.C The memories that you hold high will live on forever. The O.H.L should name a Trophy after you or even better " The Branks Cup" nice ring huh? Congrats Don for everything you have done for us and London. Cheers Branks and Thank you and God bless!!!! Phil Swan - 1/25/2008
Branks will not only be missed by the great fans of London, but also those of the many cities and arenas he has visited over the years. 38 years with an organization which for many years had only one steadying influence. Branks look up class in the dictionary, and there is a picture of you. Thanks for the memories and make sure you come back to visit often and bring along your mom! London loves their adopted son.
Gary Hynes - 1/22/2008
Branks, as a close friend and neighbour of Laura & Roy Chaffey, I have met you many times over the years and want to wish you all the best in your retirement. You will always be a member in my mind of the London Knights. I along with my son are now Mooseheads fans as we live in Halifax but my childhood memories will always be of the knights with warm thoughts and comments about you from all of my friends who have spent time in London. You will be sadly missed but always appreciated and never replaced.
Respectfully,
Gary Hynes Kevin Sims - 1/1/2008
Hi Branks,I met you at a Swiss Chalet last year in London with my Daughter and my wife and you took the time to say hello and shook my girls hand,she was blown away because you were the only signature she could get on her 2005 house of green t-shirt during the Mem Cup parade, you are a true gentleman and it's too bad the Knights couldn't clone you so we could have you around for another 40yrs. Best wishes and good luck in the rest of your retired life. Jordan h - 12/19/2007
Good luck in your future branks..... JOB WELL DONE. Shanna Butt - 12/19/2007
Branks....
What can I say about a truly amazimg person - no words can express how much I admire him. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to meet such an outstanding person! You rock, Branks! Daniel Richardason - 12/7/2007
Good luck on your retirement Don Steve H - 12/6/2007
Hey Branks.....many many thanks from me and all of junior hockey fans across Ontario. Your dedication to the sport and to the london knights hockey club is something to be admired. If your replacement is even half as dedicated as you were [ are ] the players and staff will be in good hands.. Hopefully you can stay in touch with the hockey world and more importantly your fans of the london knights. many Regards
Steve Codie and Colton Morton - 12/5/2007
Don, you're certainly gonna be missed around the league. especially at the JLC and behind the knights bench. good luck in your retirement!! from Codie[12] and Colton [6] Caitlin P - 11/26/2007
Hey Branks, its going to be different not seeing you next season with the knights on the bench. But the last few years we have had amazing teams go through the building and win numerous championships and get ohl records so i think its safe to say you've done it all Ray Vella - 11/24/2007
Hi there thanks for helping out for the knights and the rest of the guys but i wish you all the best, and everyone will miss you, and i think im going to be crying, thanks alot from Ray Vella, Ian Mackay - 11/22/2007
Don, you have been an inspiration to us all. What you have done for the players, the fans, the Knights organization and the London community is nothing short of amazing. Take care. Bev Sugden - 11/21/2007
Good luck the team and fans will miss you... Ruth Walters - 11/21/2007
Branks thank from the bottom of our hearts we wish you well- thanks to your mom for loaning you to us for all these yrs --looking at the bench without you will be very sad to see you go but thanks again we love and will miss you lots
Phil Skeffington - 11/21/2007
Branks you were the best trainer I ever had,you will be greatly missed, I hope you enjoy your retirement. Players who join the Knights after this year will miss a great man! Dennis Smith - 11/21/2007
Thanks for everything you have done for all of the Knight players,fans and co-workers. Tim Taylor - 11/21/2007
Don, you are the London Knights. Many have come and gone but you are the foundation. You will be missed but enjoy this new phase in your life. You will always have a home in London. Grant Doty - 11/21/2007
All the best and all London Knights fans are happy you finally got your cup you deserved in 2005. Doug Edwards - 11/21/2007
Good luck Don Fred Young - 11/21/2007
Enjoy your retirement, Branks. You certainly deserve it. Make sure you let us know where the farewell party is at! Ross and Adrian Hey - 11/21/2007
Congratulations on a job well done! The boys will miss you. May your retirement be long and full filling. Tim French - 11/21/2007
Have his last Friday night regular season game at home start at 7:38 pm Tim French - 11/21/2007
Promote Branks to Vice President of nothing in particular like King Clancy in his last few years with the Leafs.Just a title and a parking spot and a job description that says to show up once in a while. Paul Grove - 11/21/2007
Have a wonderful life after hockey, will be weird not seeing you there.
Good luck big guy. Mark Ruddick - 9/25/2007
Good luck on your retirement Don. |
