Allan Andrews poses for a photo at his induction ceremony to the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Prince Edward Island Island Sports Hall of Fame
CHARLOTTETOWN – The hockey community and Prince Edward Island’s premier are paying tribute following the death of Allan Andrews, founder of a renowned hockey school on the island.
RCMP confirmed Tuesday that the 83-year-old Andrews was found dead after he was reported missing in the Canoe Cove area on Monday.
In a statement, Hockey PEI called Andrews a “revered figure” in the hockey community “whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the sport in Prince Edward Island and beyond.”
The organization says he was dedicated to the development of young players through his innovative coaching programs.
Premier Dennis King also issued a statement saying Andrews created a lasting legacy through his dedication to “fostering skill, discipline and sportsmanship.”
Andrews was awarded the Order of Canada in 2017 and was inducted into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
King said Andrews’s influence reached beyond the hockey rink and will continue to inspire future generations.
“He was always known for encouraging those around him to dream big, always inspiring young people to focus on opportunities and possibilities,” King said.
Robert MacMillan, president of Hockey PEI, called the death a “profound loss.”
“Allan Andrews was more than a coach; he was a mentor, visionary and a pillar of our hockey community,” said MacMillan.
Tributes were also posted to social media by the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’s Charlottetown Islanders, who called Andrews a “true patriarch and pioneer of the sport” and by the UPEI Panthers who said he was “truly a leader and trailblazer in the sport.”
Andrews Hockey Growth Programs, a school which began in 1979, has had several young participants who went on to play in the NHL, including Pittsburgh Penguins great Sidney Crosby, former Tampa Bay Lightning star Brad Richards and former Montreal Canadien Michael Ryder.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2024.
