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News

Community Sports News is a resource for those in Orillia and surrounding area that would like to keep up to date with local sport, and Sport Orillia news. Please contact us for more information if you would like your sports news listed here.
May
17

‘An honour’: Three new inductees enter Orillia Sports Hall of Fame

  • May 17, 2023
  • 12:53 pm
  • Sport Orillia

Two elite athletes and a legendary community builder were inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Long-time junior, minor, and AAA hockey volunteer, Dave Dunn, headlined the class of 2023 in the builder category.

“This is an honour that I did not expect,” Dunn told a packed audience at Hawk Ridge Golf Club. “I just like to do the work in the background for whichever organization it may be that I’m with.”

Dunn first got involved in minor hockey back in 1982 when he served as the bench boss for his son’s team. Shortly after, he decided to serve Orillia Minor Hockey as vice president. He would go on to be a part of the executive of several local junior teams and continues to help with the Jr. C Terriers.

“Some of the best people I’ve known have been because of hockey,” he said. “They truly came to give their time for their kids and their love of the game.”

Dunn says he is proud to have helped players who went on to play in the NHL. He is also proud of the players who went on to have life success after hockey, achieving scholarships, and going on to having successful careers as business people, police officers, and educators.

“Whenever I run into former players and coaches and we are able to catch up and talk about the old days, that is truly my reward in all of this,” he said. “It has always been about the kids and helping them chase their dreams, whether it be in hockey or not, it’s just one more stepping stone to the future.”

John French, one of Orillia’s top hockey players of all time, won Orillia Minor Hockey’s Doc McKinnon Memorial Trophy for his ability, leadership, and sportsmanship as a youth. French says his parents, Clayt and Leslie, played the biggest role in the success of his career.

“They supported our entire family when it came to sports,” he recalled. “They both were excellent athletes in their own right.”

French remembers during the winter months as a youth, his father would be out making a rink for him and his siblings Allen, Jim, Tim, and Joanne to practise on.

“I remember mom and dad would get up every weekend at six or seven in the morning to drive one of us to the rink for a hockey or ball game,” he recalled. “They were always there to support all of us children.”

French says competitiveness was instilled in him at a young age. His mother was his first hockey coach, and possibly the first female hockey coach in Orillia and maybe even Ontario, he noted.

French recalls a time when he was playing in a beginners league, and his mom would give him extra playing time when their team matched up against the team his dad was coaching.

“I’d come off the ice and sit on the bench for my next turn to go out,” he said. “Without anyone knowing it mom would move me up on the bench so I would get on the ice more often. This only happened when mom’s team played dad’s team.”

After two years with the Toronto Marlboros, French was drafted 52nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1969-70 NHL draft. He played two seasons in the AHL before going on to a successful career in the WHA.

“There are a lot of people who helped me throughout my sports career,” he said. “I would not be standing today if it wasn’t for them. They know who they are, and I thank them.”

French recorded 300 points in 420 professional games. In 1972-73, he skated alongside his childhood friend from Orillia, Rick Ley, playing for the New England Whalers. That year, the Whalers won the Avco Cup and French led the team in scoring. Ley was inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Olympic field hockey player Alan Brahmst had a successful career on and off the field. In 1999, Brahmst led Canada to the gold medal at the Pan American Games. He would represent Canada again in 2000 at the Sydney Olympics.

Brahmst grew up in Hamburg, Germany, before moving to Orillia as a teenager where he played multiple sports at Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute, where he played multiple sports.

“This was a super welcoming town,” he recalled.

While he enjoyed trying new sports, he missed playing field hockey, which he had played for years in Germany. Brahmst credits his gym teacher, Daryl McKenzie, for helping him connect with Field Hockey Ontario, helping him pursue his childhood passion for field hockey.

“He got the number for Ontario Field Hockey and had me playing again a year and a half after I came to Orillia,” said Brahmst, who travelled to Toronto most weekends to chase his dream.

Brahmst was a key member of one of the first ever junior national Canadian field hockey teams, and then the first-ever national team. He represented Canada at four Olympic Games and multiple World Cups as a player and a coach.

“I’m really grateful about all the good things Orillia has given me,” he said. “I’m humbled that I’m inducted with these guys.”

There are now 30 inductees in the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame.

Original Article By: Tyler Evans
Site: Orillia Matters
Date: May 14, 2023
Link to Original: Link to Orillia Matters

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March
6

Former Olympian, WHA star, key volunteer heading to Hall of Fame

  • March 6, 2023
  • 6:50 pm
  • Sport Orillia

A former Olympian, a high-scoring World Hockey Association (WHA) star and a passionate longtime local volunteer will be inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame later this year.

Alan Brahmst, John French and Dave Dunn will enter the city’s sports shrine at a gala dinner to be held May 13 at the Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club.

Brahmst is one of Canada’s most decorated field hockey players and coaches. After he moved to Orillia from Germany as a youth, he travelled weekly — for years — to Toronto to chase his dreams.

He climbed the ranks quickly, making first the Junior National Team and then the National Team. As a player and coach, he represented Canada at four Olympic Games and multiple World Cups.

Brahmst “was a key leader and outstanding athlete in a golden generation of Canadian field hockey players,” said Susan Ahrens, the CEO of Field Hockey Canada, who wrote a letter supporting his nomination to Orillia’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Brahmst, in 1999, helped Canada win gold at the Pan American Games “to put his name in the history books,” said Ahrens, adding the talented athlete also played for Team Canada at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

He continues to pursue his passion; he is the high performance director for both Field Hockey Canada and Archery Canada.

John French started playing hockey not long after he learned to walk and was one of the top players in Orillia, where he helped his team win a squirt title in 1961.
A year later, he won Orillia Minor Hockey’s Doc McKinnon Memorial Trophy for his ability, leadership and sportsmanship.

He would earn the MVP award at the Don Mills major midget tournament, where he caught the eyes of pro scouts and was drafted 52nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1969-70 draft.

After two years with the Toronto Marlboros, he played two seasons in the AHL before going on to a stellar career in the WHA. He amassed 300 points in 420 games, having his best years with the New England Whalers, where he helped the squad win the Avco Cup in 1972-73 and led the team in scoring in 1973-74.

“John French is one of the best hockey players to ever come out of Orillia,” said Mel St. Onge, a member of the selection committee.

Dave Dunn is synonymous with hockey in Orillia and has been a dedicated volunteer at various levels for more than four decades. He is being inducted in the builder’s category.

Dunn started coaching his son’s team and then joined the Orillia Minor Hockey Association executive, where he served in various capacities — including president in the late 1980s.

He then volunteered with the city’s junior hockey teams in its various iterations — the Orillia Laidlaws, the Orillia Terriers and the Couchiching Terriers — serving in roles from president to OMHA delegate. He was a familiar face at local rinks during those years.

“He would spend game nights doing anything from loading beer for the booster club, to organizing and selling 50/50 tickets, making sure the refs got paid and was security when fights broke out in the stands,” said Roger Crandell, who nominated Dunn.

“Junior hockey wouldn’t happen without guys like (Dunn),” said Bill Smith, who owned the junior team for many years. “He was always there and always did whatever needed to be done.”

Dunn went on to volunteer for the North Central Predators AAA hockey program and continues to lend a hand when needed.

This will be the eighth class of inductees since a grassroots volunteer group — the Orillia Sports Council — started the Hall of Fame in 2015. Past inductees are honoured in the Hall of Fame Lounge at the Orillia Recreation Centre.

The new honourees will be officially inducted at the 2023 Orillia Sports Hall of Fame Gala, which will be held May 13 at Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club.

Original Article By: Orillia Matters Staff
Site: Orillia Matters
Date: March 6, 2023
Link to Original: Link to Orillia Matters

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February
12

Colby Barlow named Orillia’s Athlete of the Year

  • February 12, 2023
  • 3:38 pm
  • Sport Orillia

Colby Barlow, one of the top prospects in junior hockey in Canada, has been named Orillia’s Athlete of the Year for 2022.

The captain of the Owen Sound Attack, Barlow, has 36 goals in 45 games, which ranks him second in the Ontario Hockey League in goal scoring.

On Thursday night he was honoured at the Orillia Recreation Centre’s Sports Hall of Fame Lounge by friends, family members, local dignitaries and community members.

Barlow says it’s “a massive honour” to win the award that has been granted by the city since 1952.

“There are a lot of well-known names on this trophy and a lot of great people of this community,” he told OrilliaMatters after the presentation. “It’s definitely an honour to be a part of that.”

Barlow, who was born and raised in Orillia, played minor hockey in Orillia and then graduated to the region’s ‘AAA’ program, where he played with the North Central Predators. He says he didn’t expect to be honoured by his hometown with such an award this early into his hockey career.

“If you told me this was going to happen five months ago, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said. “I didn’t even expect to be a part of the conversation, but I got the call this week and it became real.”

Barlow says he was thankful to see the large turnout of community members at the award announcement on Thursday evening.

“Everyone who showed up tonight has supported me since day one,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here today without this support.”

On hand to watch their son accept the coveted award were Barlow’s father, Dean, and mother, Carla.

“It’s such an honour to have Colby be recognized by the Orillia community,” Carla said.

“Being from Orillia and growing up here, this is a bit surreal,” Dean added.

Orillia Sport Council president Roy Micks says Barlow is “very deserving” of being named Orillia’s Athlete of the Year, noting he represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer.

“He’s had an incredible year,” he said. “We have never had anybody at that level represent their country from the Orillia area.”

Barlow, who was named the youngest captain in Owen Sound Attack team history at age 17, has a bright future, Micks says.

“Everything you see and hear about him is that he’s a positive influence on his teammates, community, and school,” he said. “He comes back here and is always willing to help. He’s just a good kid.”

Micks says Barlow’s accomplishments are inspiring to Orillia’s youth.

“He’s showing young kids who play the sport to always work towards their dreams, goals, and aspirations,” he said. “It shows that they have the opportunity to do it too.”

Barlow says it’s a special feeling to have youth from his hometown looking up to him. He hopes his accomplishments continue to inspire youth to follow their dreams.

“I want to be a role model for the kids,” he said. “Hopefully I can help those kids when our paths cross.”

This year, the responsibility for choosing the recipient of the prestigious Athlete of the Year award was transferred from the city to the Orillia Sport Council.

“By promoting the award a little bit, we had 11 excellent nominees,” Micks says. “I think that was all positive and there are some great Orillia athletes in the area.”

While overseeing Orillia’s Athlete of the Year award was a one-year pilot, Micks says he hopes the volunteer sport council is once again given the opportunity to look after it again in 2023.

“The Orillia Sport Council is made up of individuals who have been involved in the community from a volunteer basis to an athlete basis for the course of the last 35 to 50 years,” he said. We have a wide spectrum of people on the committee.”

Original Article By: Tyler Evans
Site: Orillia Matters
Date: Feb. 9, 2023
Link to Original: Link to Orillia Matters

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May
29

Local Legends Join Orillia Sports Hall of Fame

  • May 29, 2022
  • 12:32 pm
  • Sport Orillia

‘Nobody ever becomes a champion on their own,’ said Mark Shivers who was inducted alongside Nelson Dunlop, Bill Smith, Joanne Stanga, Wayne Dowswell, Bill Watters, and Dave Town.

Iconic builders, legendary pioneers, and exceptional athletes were inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night.

Former Orillia Athlete of the Year Mark Shivers headlined the class of 2021. He was inducted alongside builders Nelson Dunlop, Bill Smith, and Joanne Stanga who were instrumental, respectively, in growing baseball, lacrosse, and hockey in Orillia over many decades.

Shivers, who got his swimming start with the Orillia Channel Cats, went on to become an elite swimmer throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2002, Shivers became a national champion in the 50 butterfly.

Shivers credited support from his family, saying his older brother, Todd, was his first swim teacher at the family home along the shores of the Narrows in Atherley.

“You then became my biggest supporter and biggest fan during the prime of my sport,” Shivers, fighting back emotions, said to his brother. “You ignited the competitive fire in me at a young age, and you still know to this day as to when that fire needs a little stoking.”

Shivers attributed his success to growing up in Orillia where he had plenty of great coaches and supporters.

“Nobody ever becomes a champion on their own,” he said. “I was so lucky to have great coaches throughout my athletic career.”

Nels Dunlop dedicated his life to baseball in Orillia as a coach, umpire, and manager. Dunlop was a pioneer in building the foundation for Orillia Legion Minor Baseball and created the house league program in the mid-1950s. Speaking on behalf of his late father was Dunlop’s son, Mick.

“He had simple philosophies,” he said. “He taught people to learn to believe in themselves.”

Dunlop says his father coached a lot of average players throughout the years but got the best out of each one of them.

“The sport maybe would have survived without him, but he went for decades,” he said. “He just loved the game of baseball.”

Bill Smith purchased the Orillia Travelways in 1979 and elevated the team to Tier 2 junior hockey. The team won the Centennial Cup in 1985 and was a perennial contender during his tenure as owner. Smith was also a part of the ownership group of the Toronto Rock that won five NLL championships from 1999 to 2005.

Smith said it was a “true honour” to be inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame. He credits volunteers for helping him field successful sports teams during his career.

“In all sports, it’s not the owner that makes the difference in a team or your paid help,” he said. “It’s the volunteers that come out and support the team. Without them, no sports organization would be successful.”

Reflecting on the Travelways days, Smith says they were some of the best times of his life. He says none of it would have been possible without the support of his family.

“We had some great teams,” he said. “My family supported me through all this bulls**t and I’m surprised they did,” he quipped.

Joanne Stanga, a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame, is one of the pioneers behind women’s lacrosse in Ontario. She worked tirelessly to develop the sport for girls in Orillia and other Ontario communities before becoming a provincial and national champion as a coach.

To see that the Orillia Lady Kings has grown into an organization that produces world-class talent makes Stanga incredibly proud.

“Here is hoping that someday the little Lady Kings, those cute little five-, six-, and seven-year-olds are going to grow up and play in the Olympics,” she said. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

Stanga says hard work pays off, but she wouldn’t have had success without the support of her family and the Orillia community.

“They are always there to guide, support, and inspire us,” she said. “You are responsible for me being involved in sport. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

The ‘Class of 2020′ — Wayne Dowswell, Bill Watters, and Dave Town — was also inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday night as last year’s ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dowswell, a former Park Street Collegiate Institute gym teacher, led the school to 19 consecutive city wrestling championships. He also started the ‘Muscle Barn’ which is still going strong today.

Dowswell’s wife, Alice, spoke on his behalf during Saturday night’s ceremony and shared a story of when the coach would innovate new wrestling moves at home.

“I was Wayne’s grappling partner any time he had a new wrestling move to teach,” she said while the sold-out crowd at Hawk Ridge Golf Club erupted in laughter. “One time we were practising the hip throw onto a bed and my foot went through the wall. Our son had a playmate over who went home and told his parents that Mr. Dowswell threw Mrs. Dowswell through the wall.”

Watters was a star athlete at Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute and the University of Toronto before becoming an NHL player agent, a broadcaster, and the assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Watters was also part owner of the Toronto Rock and helped start the Ottawa Renegades of the CFL.

“I’ve had some good fortune,” he said. “I’ve always prepared myself for when opportunities arrived, and I was strong enough to accept them and do the best I could with them.”

Watters attributed his career success to his early life in Orillia where he built relationships and worked hard.

“Orillia was a big part of my life,” he said. “When I think of the good fortune that I’ve had, I attribute it a lot to the city of Orillia. I’ve never forgotten it, and I thank all of you for what you have done for me in that regard.”

Town joined Shivers as a fellow swimmer and the only other inductee going into the hall of fame under the athlete category on Saturday night.

Town was an elite swimmer who won seven gold medals at Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union championship events for the University of Toronto. Town holds more than 60 Canadian and four world records in masters swimming.

“I got to represent Canada internationally four times,” he said. “I was really fortunate that at one meet I actually got to get up on the podium and see the Canadian flag raised.”

Town says being inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame is a great honour. As a researcher and local historian, he knows just how many great athletes are still waiting in line to share the honour.

“Eventually I’m going to start nominating these guys from 100 years ago who are pretty awesome,” he said.

Article by:  Tyler Evans
Date: May 29, 2022
Publication: Orillia Matters
Link to Original Article: Click Here

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May
26

Breakfast of Champions 2022

  • May 26, 2022
  • 4:14 pm
  • Sport Orillia

Top local high school athletes feted at Breakfast of Champions

Some of Orillia’s top high school athletes and student leaders were recognized this morning at Sport Orillia’s Breakfast of Champions.

Athletes from all three Orillia high schools were honoured for their dedication to sport and achievements in various sports.

World-class swimmer Mark Shivers, who will be inducted into Orillia’s Sports Hall of Fame as part of a sold-out gala Saturday night at Hawk Ridge Golf Club, was the guest speaker at the event.

He encouraged the young athletes to be persistent on their sports journeys.

“Embrace your failures,” he said. “You cannot understand how to succeed without accepting and then understanding your failures.”

Shivers reminded athletes to stop along the way to “smell the roses” and to revel in their youth and enjoy each experience.

“Your athletic journey goes by quickly,” he said. “Enjoy the bonds you will make and the places you will visit, and remember to keep a life balance.”

Each Orillia high school selected four students to be recognized at the breakfast event at the Best Western Plus Mariposa Inn and Conference Centre.

Orillia Secondary School (OSS) student athletes Jessie Buck, Emily Moore, Anna Glass and Ben Sweet were among those honoured.

Buck has participated in figure skating, basketball, badminton, track and field, and volleyball. She earned a silver medal at an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) tournament in discus and has been a national champion in both discus and javelin.

Moore has played a variety of sports throughout her high school career including flag football, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee. Outside of school, she earned the Ontario Volleyball Association’s Award of Excellence as a U15 and U17 athlete.

Glass is a multi-sport athlete who has participated in volleyball, basketball, badminton, lacrosse, and ultimate Frisbee. She has been awarded several MVP honours during her athletic journey at OSS and has helped teams to several championships. Most notably, she was on the OSS senior girls’ basketball team that won a silver medal at OFSAA when she was in Grade 10.

Sweet is a high-performance cycling athlete who travels internationally to competitions. He has finished in the top 10 in national championships and Canada Cups. He hopes to make Team Canada and compete in the world championships.

Kayleigh Noble, Spencer Corston, Zach Courtney and Elle Waite were the Twin Lakes Secondary School (TLSS) students honoured today.

Noble is a multi-sport athlete at TLSS. She is the captain of the varsity flag football Simcoe County Athletic Assocition (SCAA) championship team. Her main sports include volleyball, where she is the centre and captain for the school squad that captured a junior SCAA championship, and slo-pitch, in which she was named rookie of the year in Grade 9.

Corston is the captain of the TLSS senior volleyball and basketball teams that won the SCAA championship this year. He also plays ultimate Frisbee and co-ed volleyball.

For Courtney, success didn’t come right away in Grade 9, but due to his work ethic and drive, the Grade 12B student has carved out an impressive high school career, noted TLSS teacher Andrew Corry.

He said Courtney was an important part of the SCAA championship volleyball and basketball teams this past season. Courtney also competed in track and field this year, qualifying for OFSAA regionals in high jump and long jump.

Waite was a key part of the SCAA and Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA) championship basketball team. She finished top three in SCAA cross-country league races, was the winner of junior girls’ races in Nordic skiing, and was on the SCAA championship volleyball squad. Waite is also an accomplished mountain biker, discus thrower, and shot-put athlete, Corry explained.

From Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School (PF), Whyatt Winkel, Jhett Winkel, Peyton Landon and Kennedy Clarke were recognized.

The Winkel twins are known around school for being personable, welcoming and easy to get along with, said teacher Curtis Columbus. The duo co-captained the boys’ hockey team and were instrumental in helping the team capture a GBSSA championship. They are also co-captains of the school volleyball team.

Landon is an invaluable asset to PF on and off the basketball court, said Columbus. She is a peer helper in the basketball course taught at the school and is always willing to help with game-day operations for school sporting events.

Clarke is another basketball star at PF and is one of the leaders of the volleyball team, Columbus explained, adding Clarke is a “lead-by-example” kind of player who is always the last one at practice.

The Breakfast of Champions, sponsored by Lake Country Animal Hospital, is annually held on the Thursday before the Orillia’s Sports Hall of Fame inductions in an effort to recognize the accomplishments of local student athletes.

Article by:  Tyler Evans
Date: May 26, 2022
Publication: Orillia Matters
Link to Original Article: Click Here

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October
21

2022 Hall of Fame Gala

  • October 21, 2021
  • 12:00 pm
  • John Hammill

The upcoming Sport Orillia Hall of Fame Dinner is scheduled for Saturday May 28th, 2022. Nominations are now open for the class of 2021.

Our class of 2020 –  Dave Town, Bill Watters and Wayne Dowswell will be formally honoured this spring as well.

BILL WATTERS
Bill Watters is also entering the shrine as a builder, though he was a star athlete first at ODCVI and then at the University of Toronto. Upon graduation, he became an NHL player agent and broadcaster. He also ran the Orr Walton Sports Camp and was instrumental in it being located in Orillia.

From 1991 to 2003, he was the assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was also a founder and part-owner of the Toronto Rock National Lacrosse League team. He went on to help start the Ottawa Renegades CFL team and was instrumental in creating that team’s ownership group.

WAYNE DOWSWELL
Wayne Dowswell, who is being inducted as a builder, helped build strong, winning traditions in both wrestling and weight lifting in Orillia.

While a phys-ed teacher, he led Park Street Collegiate Institute to 19 consecutive city wrestling championships.

He started a weight-lifting club at the school before the board shut it down. He moved the club to the YMCA and then built the ‘Muscle Barn’ on his farm which is still going strong at another venue.

His wrestlers and weight-lifters shone on local, provincial and national stages and his influence continues to be felt as many of his former athletes have taken up the mantle and now coach young wrestlers.

DAVE TOWN
Dave Town is being inducted as an athlete and he was – and remains – one of Orillia’s finest. Town was an elite swimmer who dominated the sport locally and provincially. He won seven gold medals at the CIAU championships for the University of Toronto (1979-84), struck gold at the Canada Games (1981) and nearly made Canada’s Olympic team in 1984. Town continues to be a top-ranked swimmer; he has more than 60 Canadian and four world records in masters swimming and is a long-time coach of Orillia’s masters swimmers.

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October
5

2021 Makins Cup Winner – LumberJacks

  • October 5, 2021
  • 7:23 pm
  • John Hammill

This new event is sponsored by the the Orillia Sports Council, it is contested annually in the memory of Steve Makins.

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April
29

Orillia Sports Hall of Fame Welcomes New Inductees

  • April 29, 2019
  • 12:09 pm
  • Martino DiSabatino

One of Orillia’s finest hockey players and two men who helped build a national champion hockey team were inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night.

Don Stoutt and the late Bill McGill were inducted into the builder’s category of Orillia’s sports shrine, while Stu Burnie joins a star-studded roster of athletes in the hallowed hall.

“Orillia is an incredible community to be a part of as a young athlete,” said Burnie in his acceptance speech at the gala event at Casino Rama. “I’m incredibly grateful to have been lucky enough to have grown up here.”

Burnie attributes his success to growing up in Orillia – to the dedication and support of his parents, to the countless local coaches who invested their time and energy into him and to a life-long group of friends that would often show up at arenas around North America to watch him play.

There was one “defining moment” that altered his course and put him on the path to success.

In 1981, the Orillia Travelways were purchased by Gerry Smith, Barney Clarke and Bill Smith and they moved the team from Jr. B to Jr. A.

That was a turning point; it meant scouts were often in Orillia and it elevated the team into the upper echelon of junior hockey at that time.

Burnie had a breakout offensive year that season. But as a new team, the Travelways were struggling and weren’t going to make the playoffs.

“Bill Smith called me into his office and offered to trade me to a playoff team,” recalled Burnie. “I said no. I felt like it was jumping ship.”

The next day, Smith called Burnie back to his office. He told the high-scoring right winger he had traded him to the Brampton Warriors.

“You will thank me later,” Smith told him.

On Saturday night, Burnie did just that, publicly thanking Smith for forcing him outside his comfort zone.

That trade opened doors and opened the eyes of scouts. He earned a full scholarship to play NCAA Division 1 hockey in Western Michigan University.

There, he took a mediocre team to a CCHA championship. To this day, the team’s 32-win season in Burnie’s final year remains the best season in the school’s history. Burnie still holds four individual scoring records and is still among the top five all-time scorers for the Broncos.

One of his teammates during that time was future NHL goalie Glenn Healy. He sent an audio message that was played Saturday night in which he recalled fond memories of a Broncos’ team trip to Orillia in 1983.

“You are a great athlete, a great teammate at Western Michigan and certainly you’ve made a big impact in the community of Orillia,” said Healy of the “well-deserved” honour.

He called Burnie “one of the stars of Orillia” and thanked him “for being a great person.”

Another former Broncos’ teammate, Chris MacDonald, in a video tribute, recalled Burnie’s love for his hometown.

He said Burnie had “a giant Canadian map on his wall with Orillia marked on it. He made it very clear he was very proud guy from Orillia,” said MacDonald, now an amateur scout for the Vancouver Canucks.

“He listened to a lot of Gordon Lightfoot music, told us all about Lake Couchiching, Lake Simcoe, Big Chute and Big Chief and all the cool things about Orillia,” said MacDonald with a chuckle.

He said the team’s trip to Orillia was memorable and added he “couldn’t be prouder” of Burnie for this recognition and for the respected teacher he has become.

While their “dream” season in Michigan didn’t end the way they had hoped when they were upset by Harvard in the playoffs, that didn’t seem to matter to Team Canada.

Burnie was asked to play for his country in the final three games of an eight-game series against Russia. He jumped at the opportunity.

After losses in North Bay and Ottawa, Canada was to play Russia in the finale at Copp’s Coliseum in Hamilton. It was a magical night.

With the stands packed – including a large contingent from Orillia – Burnie netted a hat trick, was named the game’s MVP and Canada finally bested their rivals.

“That was one of my most memorable hockey moments,” said Burnie.

After his collegiate career, Burnie signed with the New York Islanders and has fond memories of scoring an exhibition season goal against Rangers netminder John Vanbiesbrouck.

“I still have (that puck) today,” said Burnie, who noted while it was an exhibition game “for a 170- pound kid from Orillia, it felt like a Stanley Cup goal. It’s still very special to me.”

He went on to play four seasons of professional hockey and a year in Europe playing in the Finnish Elite League.

He played with and lived with Bruce Boudreau, current coach of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, for three years during his AHL and IHL career.

“You are a great athlete, a great winger for me and I loved every minute living with you,” Boudreau said in a video message played Saturday night. He said the honour for his “great friend (was) well deserved.”

McGill and Stoutt are also “well deserved” new inductees.

Dave Collins, his wife Sheila Collins, and Bill Watters nominated Stoutt.

Collins explained how Stoutt, at the age of 27, became president of the fledgling Orillia Terriers and how he worked tirelessly, investing time, effort and cash to turn the team into a champion.

The crowning glory came with the 1973 Allan Cup championship, won on home ice at the Orillia Community Centre.

Collins, who was the hockey team’s doctor, noted Stoutt also bankrolled and organized a team trip to Sweden, talked about how Stoutt founded the Kinsmen Hockey School and continues to sponsor local sports teams and has helped raise $300,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network through golf tournaments.

Collins called Stoutt “a perfect candidate” for the hall of fame. That was a sentiment echoed by Darryl Sittler, the Toronto Maple Leafs legend who has called Orillia home for decades.

“This is well deserved,” Sittler said in a video message in which he said he was “proud to be part” of the Kinsmen Hockey School.

“It doesn’t get any better than (winning the Allan Cup),” said Sittler. “You’re a good man and I’m happy for you.”

Stoutt said he was “humbled” by the recognition and praised “all the people that helped me” along the way.

“I’m very pleased to be part of the Hall of Fame and the Orillia sports community,” he said to a standing ovation.

McGill, who died in 2001, was nominated by John Falcon, who talked about the well-known Orillian’s athletic feats as a lacrosse and rugby player.

But it was his role as a founder of the Orillia Terriers and booster of all things Orillia that landed him in the Hall of Fame as a builder.

Falcon talked about the lengths McGill went to in his quest to put the Terriers on the map and recalled how the fun-loving McGill would regale people at the Legion with stories and jokes.

“He was a very funny man. He loved people and was just a great person,” said Falcon.

His son, Thom McGill, accepted the award on behalf of his father.

“I often thought people might forget my dad and Don (Stoutt) … it was a whole different era a long time ago,” said Thom. “This is quite an honour for our family.”

At Saturday night’s event, 2018 Orillia Athlete of the Year Annie Lloyd was recognized. She was joined in the audience by previous inductees Walter Henry, Cam Devine, Terry Bullen, Jayme Davis, Brittney Fess and, on behalf of the late Jerry Udell, Brenda Udell.

There are now 20 inductees in the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame.

Original Article By: Dave Dawson
Link to Article: 2019 Sport Orillia Gala
Date: April 28th, 2019
Publication: OrilliaMatters.com

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April
26

Student Athletes Recognized at Breakfast of Champions

  • April 26, 2019
  • 1:17 pm
  • Sport Orillia
Hall of Fame inductee Stu Burnie encourages local students to ‘have fun, work hard and do it for as long as you can’

A dozen talented, hard-working student athletes were recognized by Sport Orillia at its fifth annual Breakfast of Champions Thursday morning.

“You are the future of sports,” Sport Orillia board member Adele LeMaire told the aspiring students assembled at the Best Western Mariposa Inn and Conference Centre. “It’s exciting for us to honour our young athletes and to acknowledge what you are doing.”

The event is always held just prior to the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which is slated for Saturday night at Casino Rama.

One of this year’s inductees, Stu Burnie, was the guest speaker at Thursday morning’s event and he encouraged the students to play sports for as long as possible.

“Have fun, work hard and do it for as long as you can,” said Burnie, who was an outstanding lacrosse and hockey player who grew up in Orillia and pursued both sports locally.

Burnie told the high-school students how he didn’t concentrate on becoming a professional hockey player, but focused on enjoying the sport and improving himself.

“You all have skill,” he told the athletes, stressing that skill is but one element in the equation for success.

He said hard work is critical — as is a little luck, but he reminded them that “luck comes to those who work hard.”

He said as a youth, he was never the best player on his team.

“That gave me motivation to be the best; it gave me drive,” recalled Burnie, who earned a full scholarship to play Division 1 NCAA hockey at Western Michigan University.

“My goal wasn’t to be a pro athlete. It was to have fun and excel and do my best.”

For him, it worked. He played for Team Canada twice and also had a five-year professional hockey career, playing in the AHL, the IHL and Finland.

He said education is key and encouraged the students to pursue their sports at college and university.

“Play as long as you can and have fun with it,” urged the long-time educator at Harriett Todd Public School.

The following students were recognized Thursday.

Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School

Liam Warboys, a “hard-working student athlete,” has been wrestling at Fogarty for four years. This year, the Grade 12 student returned to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships and brought home a bronze medal.

Tyler Huxtable plays both soccer and basketball at Fogarty. He was the captain and top point-getter for this year’s Georgian Bay championship basketball team.

Outstanding field lacrosse players Jerica Obee and Kassidy Morris were also selected to be recognized by their coaches but were unable to attend.

Orillia Secondary School

Jeremy Langner was recognized as a leader on the school’s senior boys’ volleyball team and also excelled in Nordic skiing, despite being a newcomer to the sport; he finished 10th at the GBSSA championship. He also played badminton and managed a 94 per cent average.

Hennessy Chodzinski is a multi-sport athlete. She is a versatile flag football player and was a starter on the school’s rugby team for four years. She was described as a “heart and soul” player.

Caleb Near is an accomplished swimmer who won two golds at the Georgian Bay championship and won silver at OFSAA. He is currently ranked fourth in Canada in the 100-metre backstroke and has qualified for the Olympic Trials and dreams of representing Canada at the Olympics.

Audrey Rieckenberg is a multi-sport athlete who helped the school’s cross-country team earn a GBSSA title and also competed at OFSAA. She also shone in the pool for the school’s swim team, won OFSAA gold in Nordic skiing and competed at OFSAA in the 3,000-metre race. She also has an impressive 95 per cent average.

Twin Lakes Secondary School

Jack Ormsby takes multi-sport athlete to another level. He participated in cross-country running, soccer, basketball, hockey, golf, and track and field this year.

Vadim Boshnyak is a “very skilled” player who captained Twin’s basketball team, while becoming one of the squad’s most-liked players. His coach called him a “bulldog” who helped lead the team to a league title.

Hailey Ellis has been a strong basketball player throughout her time at Twin Lakes. Her coach said she has “that X-factor” and is a gamer. She also played volleyball and was part of the school’s track and field team.

Sarrina Foy was a force on Twin’s flag football team and also played volleyball, soccer and made the track team. Her club soccer team just returned from a trip to Italy, where the local club played against top international teams.

The Breakfast of Champions was sponsored by Lake Country Animal Hospital.

Original Article By: Dave Dawson
Link to Article: 2019 Breakfast of Champions
Date: April 26th, 2019
Publication: OrilliaMatters.com

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February
25

Orillia Lawn Bowling Club – Free Bowling Weekends

  • February 25, 2019
  • 6:54 pm
  • Sport Orillia
This season we are offering 2 free learn to bowl programs.
One program is on 3 consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning on May 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
The second program is on 3 consecutive Sunday afternoons beginning on May 26th at 2 p.m.
Each session will last about 2 hours and all you need to supply is flat shoes.
You need to register by sending an email with your name and which program you wish to attend to orilliabc@gmail.com
or by enrolling with the Orillia Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Check out our website for more information about our gentle and healthy game at orillialawnbowls.ca.
See you on the green

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