After a legal fight with his former team, a battle with cancer, and a terrible fall that left him paralyzed from the chest down, the man with the second most wins in CHL history died Friday.
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Bert Templeton, 63, died of complications from cancer Friday afternoon, just hours before the Wolves, the team he finished his coaching career with, faced off with the visiting Peterborough Petes.
The Wolves came from behind to win 6-3.
Templeton began his coaching career with the Hamilton Fincups during the 1974-75 season. He led them to the Memorial Cup the next year.
In the 1990s, Templeton led the North Bay Centennials to three first-place finishes, capping it off with an OHL championship in 1994.
Templeton has been behind the bench on teams that have won a Memorial Cup, two OHL championships and eight division championships.
Templeton was head coach of the Canadian National junior team for one world championship.
He has won two OHL coach of the year awards, two OHL executive of the year awards and one CHL executive of the year award in his 26-year career in the league.
TempletonÂ?s career record is 907-678-148. That is the second most wins of any coach in the OHL and CHL, behind only Brian Kilrea.
Templeton has coached OHL teams in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, North Bay and Barrie.
He coached the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the AHL from 1979-1981.
Memorial visitation takes place at the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home at 233 Larch St. on Monday from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
A private family memorial service will be held Tuesday.
The family would appreciate donations not flowers.
Donations can be made to the All NationsÂ?s Church Building Fund in Sudbury or the SPCA.
