‘To be a London Knight was awesome’: Two former players inducted into Don Brankley Hall of Fame

Two former London Knights were inducted into the Don Brankley Hall of Fame at Canada Life Place Friday.

Dave Hutchison, a Knight from 1969-1972, and Dennis Ververgaert, who played from 1970-73, both spent three seasons with the Knights.

Hutchison had 107 games played, with 32 points, and Ververgaert saw 187 games with 351 points.

Hutchison kicked off his NHL career with the LA Kings. He also played for the Blackhawks and the Leafs.

“What an honor for me. I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” said Hutchison. “Grew up in London here, playing on an outdoor rink … to play for the London Knights and then they get me off to the NHL. 12 years. It’s a life that I wish everyone could live. I’ve been so lucky.”

Hutchison came back to London after his playing career as an ambassador of the Knights and sat as a member of the board for the London Knights Alumni Foundation.

Ververgaert was the OHL’s top scoring right winger in 1973, winning the Jim Mahon Trophy.

He was then drafted to the Vancouver Canucks. He also spent time with the Flyers and the Capitals.

“To be a London Knight was awesome. And to be inducted with Hutchison at the same time, it meant the world to me,” said Ververgaert. “You know, when you get older and you realize something like that would be awesome, but, when they phoned and made it a reality it was pretty special.”