BH: Where did you go after Waterloo?
DW: Well after leaving Waterloo, I spent eight years in Denver, Colorado playing and working on my Engineering Certification. Then I started a career in the ice rink business and ended up in Florida where I have been for the last 20 years. When I moved to Florida, we had four rinks in the state. Now we have 22 rinks and it was great to be a part of hockey growing in Florida.
BH: We understand you ended up working at two Olympics. How did that happen?
DW: Well, I have always been a part of USA Hockey as a volunteer coach and administrator. Then as a rink operator, I was able to host many regional and national tournaments. My reputation for providing good ice for tournaments, even in Florida, gave me the chance to apply for the job I now hold as Director, Facility Programs for STAR.
I was assistant Director of Competition for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Games. I was in charge of two of the hockey ice rinks during the games and helped prepare and make the ice for all of the hockey venues there. In 2006, I was Ice Master for all the hockey rinks used at the Torino Olympic Games.
This was a great honor, and although I didn’t get to the Olympics as a player, I did get there for Ice Hockey!