Three athletes, two builders, and an Allan Cup-winning hockey team are the latest names to be inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Leading the group in the athlete category is former NHL goalie Carter Hutton.
Hutton played 12 seasons in the NHL, representing teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, and Arizona Coyotes.
He wrapped up his playing career in 2022.
Hutton started his junior hockey journey in the Superior International Junior League (SIJHL) with the Thunder Bay North Stars, who clinched both the league title and Dudley Hewitt Cup in 2005-06.
After that, he spent four seasons playing NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Massachusetts Lowell before turning pro.
Alongside Hutton is long-time 5-pin bowler Ron Stansfield from Dryden.
Stansfield achieved success at provincial, national, and world levels from the 1960s to the 2000s.
His accomplishments include winning a singles championship at both World and National championships in 1974 and earning a gold medal with a mixed team during the 1975 event.
In 2009, Stansfield was recognized as one of Canada’s top 100 bowlers by the Canadian 5-Pin Bowling Association over the past century.
Also joining as an athlete is amateur wrestler Justin Beau Parlant.
He began wrestling in Grade 3 and found success at high school competitions by earning three gold medals along with a silver at under-20 national championships in the late ’90s.
Later on, he joined Lakehead University’s wrestling team where he continued to excel at both provincial and national levels.
In 2000, he took home silver at the World Championship before retiring after that season.
Two builders from Thunder Bay will also be honored for their contributions to sports.
Norm Bevilacqua started out as a multi-sport athlete but shifted focus to coaching hockey during the early ’60s and kept it going into the ’90s.
He received a CAHA Meritorious Service Award from Hockey Canada back in the ’70s for his efforts.
Bevilacqua continued supporting local hockey programs around Thunder Bay and Dryden through his business ventures; beneficiaries included teams like Dryden GM Ice Dogs and tournaments such as Northern Bands Hockey Tournament.
Bill Mc Donald from Thunder Bay also makes it into this year’s builder category.
After enjoying a successful playing career which saw him part of three Allan Cup-winning teams with Thunder Bay Twins, Mc Donald transitioned to coaching mid-’80s and led them to two more Allan Cup victories.
When Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks formed, Mc Donald became their first coach guiding them to four Colonial Cup championships-two under each name: Thunder Hawks and later Senators.
After leaving that role behind for coaching Fort Worth Fire in Central Hockey League , he won league title back in ’98.
Mc Donald carried on coaching professionally until early ’00s , finally retiring completely from coaching duties in 2012.
Wrapping up this year’s inductee list are none other than our own – The Bombers’ squad of ‘05 !
Comprised entirely outta former pro , university & junior players hailing straight outta good ol’Thunderbay itself , they formed together Jan that year , claiming eligibility compete within Allan cup tournament after snagging victory during Ontario playdown rounds!
Despite dropping first couple games played throughout tourney , they bounced back strong winning next three including thrilling overtime finish against Quebec Team’s final clash bringing home prestigious Allan cup trophy back where it belonged after being absent over fifteen years.
Next February found ‘em traveling all way Hungary representing Hockey Canada senior tourney – disbanding shortly thereafter returning home.
“We are very proud to announce the addition of these outstanding athletes and sport builders into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and we look forward to the sports community once again gathering together to help celebrate our region’s rich and proud sports heritage at our Induction ceremonies on September 26th,” states Diane Imrie, the hall’s executive director, in a release.”
Tickets for induction dinner & ceremonies available via contacting Hall Of Fame directly!
Randy Thoms is veteran news broadcaster having over forty years experience based Fort Frances covering stories throughout northwestern ontario contact him anytime @ thoms. randy@radioabl. ca.View all posts
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