Bob Davis retires from coaching hockey after three decades, part one

Pictured is Bob Davis talking to his team during a game this past season. Davis announced his retirement from coaching after over three decades behind the bench for the St. Marys Minor Hockey Association.

By Spencer Seymour

Bob Davis, a staple behind many St. Marys Minor Hockey benches for more than 30 years, announced at the end of the 2024-2025 season that it would be his final campaign as a head coach.

Davis told the Independent he has gotten “satisfaction and fun” out of coaching.

“I have a passion for hockey and I really love the sport,” said Davis. “So, even when I was finished playing, I still wanted to go watch kids play. I love watching the puck movement and watching people skate. For me, if I can go out and teach some kids how to do something and then see them learn it and not give up, it’s incredibly satisfying.”

Davis began coaching in 1994 when his son, Michael, began his first year skating at the Mite level. After an injury stopped Davis’ playing career in 1996, he devoted more time to coaching his two sons Michael and Andrew’s teams, which Davis, a doctor by trade, said not only gave him an outlet to continue indulging his passion for hockey, but also allowed him to bond with his kids amidst his busy work schedule.

“It took a long time to replace the feeling of playing because I loved to play, but I really enjoyed coaching. I liked the strategy part of it. Plus, I have to admit, by coaching (Michael and Andrew’s) teams, I got to spend more time with them. My job was time-consuming to say the least, so when I wasn’t at work, I was at the rink and that was one way I could interact with Michael and Andrew.”

While Davis has always strived for on-ice success and led many of his teams to triumphant results, he has always asked for a solid work ethic and commitment above all else, with the promise all of his players would be taught the same.

“The most important thing for a coach is knowing how to deal with each individual player. We always tell our players at the beginning of the year, ‘We teach everybody equally, but we don’t play everybody equally.’ Fair playing time isn’t necessarily equal playing time, but we always teach everybody equally, and everybody has a role. Everyone gets a regular turn five-on-five, and then we cut down who plays in the last three minutes, or in a tournament or significant game.

“You have your kids who play on the powerplay and penalty kill, and then you have the kids on the bench who are supporting them, or who come on to give those other kids a rest,” Davis continued. “That is a big role. We also say throughout the year that nothing is set in stone, and if they keep working hard and you’re a positive on the bench, we will keep looking at you because it’s all about what is best for the team.”

As one of the longest-tenured and most well-respected coaches of the last three decades in St. Marys, Davis’ philosophy of coaching is likely one many present-day coaches have sought guidance and taken inspiration from. Among the variety of difficult aspects associated with the role of a head coach is disciplining players when rules are broken, which Davis explained as coming down to a fundamental core tenet, honesty.

“We never sit anybody out without telling them why they’re not going out,” said Davis. “Sometimes, we have to discipline kids for various reasons, but the kids know why they’re being disciplined. We try to teach respect for the team, the officials, and the opponent. I don’t use things like skating as punishment, and I try not to sit them for long periods. The big thing is you have to be honest with your players at all times.”

Another trademark of Davis’ coaching career has been his ability to remain calm, cool and collected, no matter what adversity comes his teams’ way. Davis, known for wielding a quiet intensity behind the bench, has seldom, if ever, been known to get angry at officials. Davis explained how his constant thought process about what is taking place on the ice, combined with the knowledge that he is in a position to model correct behaviour for his players, has allowed him to never get negatively animated.

“You have to think one step ahead of whatever riles you up. You can’t think if you’re riled up. I’ve never had a referee give me a bench minor penalty. I’ve probably yelled at a referee occasionally, but I’ve never abused a referee ever. I try to always talk to them respectfully because you’re not going to change their mind. You don’t gain anything by yelling at them.

“The times I have lost my cool have mostly been because a player has abused another player on the bench or is about to cause a problem for the rest of the team. But you don’t want to fold your arms or put your hands in your pockets and look bored. Your players are watching you and if they see you losing it, they’re going to lose it. If they see you in control, they are more likely to stay in control.”

As Davis reflected on his coaching career, he explained how the simple moments of arriving at the arena and having his senses engage with his surroundings are what he will miss most in retirement.

“Truthfully, walking down the hallway and all the smells and sounds that go with that, it just stirs up so many emotions from all the years from coaching, playing and being part of that whole environment. That’s what I’ll miss. I’ll miss the kids. I’ll miss the teaching part, but most of all, I’ll miss that feeling when you walk down that corridor and you smell all the smells of hockey. It’s like going home again. It’s just a nice feeling.”

Part two will come out in next week’s Independent. It will explore the influences of Ferris Stewart, Ernie Little and Kenny Schiedel on Davis, coaching alongside his sons Andrew and Michael, and tales from his coaching career.