Douglas Kirton Narrative
Doug, eldest son of Doug Sr. and Norma Kirton was born in Elmvale, On., where he attended local elementary and secondary schools. He established his hockey roots with Elmvale Minor Hockey. Subsequently he progressed to the Junior hockey level playing with Penetang, Midland ,and Orillia. Playing for Orillia he experienced personal and team success when he led the team to the Tier 11 team Canadians Championship. After being .drafted by Kingston of the O.H.L. when offered a full four year scholarship at Colorado College, a division one school he left Kingston’s training camp to pursue his education and develop his hockey skills at the college level. At Colorado Doug met his future wife, Kerri, a NCAA soccer player. When draft entry eligible he was selected by the New Jersey Devils of the N.H.L. in the 12th round. In 1990 he attended the Devil’s training camp and played some exhibition games before being assigned to the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Not seeing a future in the Devil’s organization and learning about an opportunity to play pro in Europe Doug left the E.C.H.L. and began a pro career in Germany. Doug thrived in Europe playing ten seasons with Straubing and the Frankfurt Lions. In addition to learning to speak German fluently, Doug’s hockey prowess is evident by the fact that he was voted the top foreign player in the team history and he was honoured by having his hockey jersey retired. Following his European pro career Doug returned to the E.C.H.L. to play for the Greenville Growl where he had the opportunity and privilege to play alongside his younger brother Scott a star and captain of the Growl. After a brief break from hockey he returned to the ice in 2005 for a brief stint in Japan with the Sapporo Polaris. Doug presently resides with his wife and two children in Seattle. Washington where he is hockey director for a private Youth Hockey Association. As director of Sno- King Hockey Amateur Association in Seattle he is responsible for 600 youth- tryouts, coach hiring, scheduling, player development, evaluations, parent issues etc.
Doug will always wonder how his career might have evolved had he stayed in the ECHL rather than going to Europe. Though he did not pursue a path that might have led to the N.H.L. he definitely had a successful and fulfilling hockey career. He has no regrets.
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