Remembering Greg Clause as a coach and friend
By Don Edwards, The Gazette Sports
May 09, 2008
This week we received the shocking news that Greg Clause, the head coach of the Glanbrook Rangers had been taken from us at far too young an age. I have covered the Rangers for the Gazette for two seasons now, and I always found Greg to be very accommodating and helpful.
When I asked a stupid question - and believe me, there have been plenty -Clause would listen patiently and provide a well- thought out answer and a wink.
In a time when most coaches are skeptical of the media types, Greg was always open and honest. We built a mutual trust, and I believe, respect. Greg appreciated what the paper was trying to do for the Rangers and I appreciated his passion for both the game and his players.
Clause was a member of the Hamilton Fincups during the 1974-1975 season. The Fincups were loaded with talent and would go on to capture a Memorial Cup in 1976, featuring the likes of Dale McCourt, Willie Huber and Ric Seiling. Clause parlayed his Fincup experience into earning the 94th pick in the 1975 NHL entry draft, selected by the Minnesota North Stars in the sixth round.
Clause was also selected by the Cincinnati Stingers of the short-lived, World Hockey Association, before playing 23 games in the IHL for the Fort Wayne Komets. With his playing days behind him, the Oshweken native returned to the Hamilton area and joined the coaching ranks.
Scott Miller, General Manager of the Caledonia Corvairs, mentioned that he found Clause to be a great competitor who "always had his kids ready to play, we had some terrific battles with Glanbrook when Greg was behind the bench."
For as much as Clause was a passionate hockey man, he was a devoted husband and father, who was incredibly proud of his children and blamed his wife for their intelligence, drive and success. Clause truly came to life when he had an opportunity to chat about his children and how well they all were doing, he took great pride in his entire family and it showed. It will be a much different season without Clause behind the Ranger bench.
I will miss chatting about players and their development in that little coach's office over a cold beverage. I will miss the comfortable relationship I had with the coach, and I will miss a man I respected and admired as a professional and as a friend.
