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Allan Cup champions, two-sport athlete, two builders heading into Orillia Sports Hall of Fame
Legendary Canadian champions from 1973 will be the first team to be inducted in Orillia shrine; this year’s class will be recognized at May 4 gala at Hawk Ridge.
A two-sport athlete, two legendary builders and one of the city’s iconic hockey teams will be inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame in May.
Chad Thompson, who starred in both the Ontario Hockey League and National Lacrosse League, longtime high school coach Ian MacMillan, renowned baseball coach Dean Heliotis and the Allan Cup champion Orillia Terriers will be inducted into the city’s sports shrine this year.
It’s the first time a team will be inducted, says Roy Micks, the chair of the Orillia Sport Council, which oversees the hall of fame.
“There have been some fantastic teams throughout the years in Orillia and we felt it was time to recognize them,” said Micks, who noted the committee that oversees the induction process worked hard to create tough but fair criteria for eligibility in the team category.
The Terriers were the cream of the crop when it came to senior hockey in the province in the mid-1970s at a time when the level of play was just below the American Hockey League. Orillia captured the historic Allan Cup, emblematic of Canadian hockey supremacy, on home ice on May 13, 1973.
In the athlete category, Thompson, who grew up in Orillia playing both lacrosse and hockey, went on to play parts of five seasons in the NLL, after playing five seasons in the OHL with the Barrie Colts, London Knights and Oshawa Generals.
During his time as a defenceman in the OHL, he played more than 200 regular season games, he scored 23 goals, added 41 assists and amassed almost 200 minutes in penalties. In the NLL, he played for Toronto, San Jose, Philadelphia and Orlando, tallying 64 points in 49 games as a defensive specialist.
MacMillan was a legend at Orillia and District Collegiate Vocational Institute, where he was the school’s track and field coach and basketball coach from 1964 to 1996. He also helmed the Orillia Track Club for more than 15 years.
When he first arrived at ODCVI, he was the school’s football coach — from 1964 to 1966 — and he also coached cross-country running at the school from 1967 to 1981.
His basketball teams won more than 1,100 games, while his track and cross-country athletes won countless medals at regional and provincial competitions. He earned the prestigious OFSAA Pete Beach Award in 1996 and was also recognized with the Government of Canada Celebration ‘88 Medal. The Ian MacMillan Scholarship is still handed out annually at ODCVI’s successor, Orillia Secondary School.
Heliotis’s name is synonymous with baseball in Orillia. From 1965 until 2008, he coached at various levels including mosquito, peewee, bantam, midget and junior and also helmed the Orillia Majors for several years. He helped generations of players learn to play and love the sport; in 1988, a diamond at McKinnell Square Park was named in his honour.
Original Article By: Orillia Matters Staff Site: Orillia Matters Date: March 18, 2024 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo: Supplied Photos / Orillia Matters
‘There are a lot of really great athletes in Orillia. That’s what makes this mean a lot,’ says Isabella Holmgren, Orillia’s Athlete of the Year for 202.
Isabella Holmgren was named the 2023 Orillia Athlete of the Year during a ceremony at Orillia’s Rotary Place Thursday evening.
The 18-year-old elite cyclist won two world championships in two different cycling disciplines in 2023, which made her stand out among the three nominees for Orillia’s most prestigious athletic award.
“This is super special,” Holmgren said. “I’m very happy and grateful to be recognized with other great athletes from Orillia.”
Since 2022, Holmgren, 18, has cycled on to the podium multiple times in a sport that is dominated by European riders on the world stage. However, winning the Orillia Athlete of the Year is one of her biggest accomplishments, she said.
“This is super cool,” she said. “My brother, Gunnar, (won this award) a few years ago which also makes this special.”
While Holmgren proudly accepted the award, she says fellow nominees Chas Sharpe (hockey) and Wyatt Thompson (baseball) were also more than deserving of the honour.
“There are a lot of really great athletes in Orillia,” she said. “That’s what makes this mean a lot.”
In February 2023, Holmgren became the first Canadian to win the Junior Cyclocross World Championship held in the Netherlands.
“It was special because it showed how hard Canada has worked as a federation,” she said. “A lot of people worked really hard to get us to that point.”
Finishing second at the world championship was Holmgren’s twin sister, Ava.
“I think she’s definitely worthy of this award, too,” Holmgren said. “Even more than me maybe.”
Both Holmgren sisters recently signed with Lidl-Trek, a WorldTour road cycling team that competes in Europe. Holmgren says she would never be able to live out her cycling dreams without the support of her sister.
“We push each other a lot in training,” she said. “We motivate each other constantly.”
Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac says he is proud of Holmgren’s accomplishments.
“It’s unusual to have an athlete who has three world championships for mountain bike, cyclocross, and road bike before 19,” he said. “I think that’s very impressive.”
Orillia Sport Council President Roy Micks says Holmgren is well deserving of the Athlete of the Year award.
“I think she is someone all girls can look up to,” he said. “Winning two world championships in one year is one of the biggest accomplishments we’ve ever seen from somebody from Orillia.”
Orillia Sports Hall of Famer (2018) Jayme Davis, who won the 2007 Orillia Athlete of the Year Award, says it’s important to celebrate athletes like Holmgren each year with the award.
“It’s a pretty special honour,” said Davis, who is a member of the Orillia Sport Council. “It’s important for athletes like Isabella to know as they are competing at such a high level that they have a whole community behind them. It’s very powerful.”
Davis says it’s “special” to recognize local female athletes.
“Historically, we often think of males as being dominant, powerful, and successful in sport,” she said. “It’s important for our community to know that we have really strong female athletes.”
Original Article By: Tyler Evans Site: Orillia Matters Date: Feb. 15, 2024 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo: Supplied Photos / Orillia Matters
The world champion in two cycling disciplines is among three worthy candidates for 2023 Orillia Athlete of the Year award; winner will be announced Thursday.
Isabella Holmgren did the improbable in 2023: she won world championships in two different cycling disciplines.
The year of unprecedented success for the 18-year-old elite cyclist began in January of 2023, when she won a bronze medal at a World Cup event in Besancon, France at the finale of the Cyclocross World Cup Series.
Then, a month later, the talented Orillia teen made history, becoming the first Canadian to win the Junior Cyclocross World Championship held in the Netherlands.
“I was overwhelmed with emotions because I had just raced as hard as I could,” Isabella said in an interview back home in Orillia after returning from the race.
Her twin sister, Ava, finished second in the race, allowing the sisters to sweep the top two podium positions.
“I saw my parents right at the finish line and my sister was right behind me. It was definitely a nice feeling,” said Isabella.
Ava says she will always remember the celebratory feeling of finishing the final stretch of the race.
“I was just really happy,” she said. “I was so proud of my sister. It was such a special moment for me.”
The sisters say they could not have made it to the big race without each other.
“During the race, we are definitely competitive with each other,” Isabella said. “We make sure to not work against each other during the race, but, especially in training and at home, we push each other.”
Isabella says it is a “special feeling” knowing she and her sister made Canadian history on the world stage.
“I saw my parents right at the finish line and my sister was right behind me. It was definitely a nice feeling,” said Isabella.
Ava says she will always remember the celebratory feeling of finishing the final stretch of the race.
“I was just really happy,” she said. “I was so proud of my sister. It was such a special moment for me.”
The sisters say they could not have made it to the big race without each other.
“During the race, we are definitely competitive with each other,” Isabella said. “We make sure to not work against each other during the race, but, especially in training and at home, we push each other.”
Isabella says it is a “special feeling” knowing she and her sister made Canadian history on the world stage.
“I hope it encourages more Canadians to get on their cross bikes,” said the 18-year-old. “We hope we can inspire a few more Canadians to help grow the sport a bit more.”
The two ÉSC Nouvelle-Alliance students have been mountain biking since the age of four and have been racing competitively since they were nine. They got their national start in cyclocross in 2022.
Isabella followed up that incredible feat in August by finishing the Cycling Super Worlds race with a time of one hour seven minutes, 37 seconds to earn the gold in the mountain biking competition — and her second world crown of the year.
Isabella’s coach and father, Rob Holmgren, says her success has been “years in the making.”
“This year we definitely had a focus on building a big engine and making her skills as good as they possibly could be,” he explained. “Some of that was done by some extra road racing and training and sacrificing Canadian Nationals to do a road project in Europe.”
Despite a pair of world titles, Isabella’s stellar year was not quite finished.
In November, the reigning junior world champion was granted permission to race up into the elite women’s category at the Pan American Cyclocross Championship in Missoula, Montana.
Once again, the local athlete separated herself from the pack, finishing strong to take the gold medal.
“Isabella showed her technical abilities being able to ‘bunny hop’ the barriers during the race, where the other women had to dismount and run,” said Rob Holmgren.
“Her patience and tactics were outstanding, showing it takes more than skill and fitness to win cyclocross races.”
Isabella Holmgren was nominated for the Athlete of the Year award by Andrew Doble. And while her accomplishments are impressive, there’s more to the teen, he noted in his nomination letter.
“Isabella is a kind, giving teammate always willing to help,” said Doble.
“She is the first to help with cleanups, cooking, to help with teaching younger athletes skills, line selection, and share a safe, quiet spot to warm up. Reducing her teammates’ stress allows them to focus on their own performances and goals,” said Doble.
He also cited the young athlete’s strong eighth place showing at the world championship for road racing in Scotland.
“Road cycling is the ultimate team sport; certain members of the team will sacrifice their own dreams and results in order to support their teammate,” explained Doble.
“Isabella gave 110 per cent of herself on many occasions to deliver her teammates to the finale in her races in Europe last spring.”
Original Article By: Dave Dawson Site: Orillia Matters Date: Feb. 11, 2024 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo: Supplied Photos / Orillia Matters
Former Terrier and ex-Predator named captain of OHL’s Steelheads and is the team’s top blueliner this year as the Orillia native continues to chase his NHL dreams.
Like a fine wine, Chas Sharpe seems to get better with age.
Sharpe, who started playing house league hockey in Orillia when he was five, is now skating in his fifth — and final — season with the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League.
Prior to the start of this season, the fleet-footed blueliner was named the team’s captain.
“Chas Sharpe has been with us for five years and has really grown as a player and as a person,” James Richmond, the team’s coach and general manager told OHL.com earlier this year.
“He’s earned the respect of his teammates and coaches. We all believe Sharpie is the right guy to lead this group and we couldn’t be happier to announce his captaincy.”
Sharpe, 20, said he was honoured to be named team captain.
“It’s truly a honour to be named captain of the Steelheads, and a leader of this young group,” he told the OHL’s website.
“We have such a special team this year and I’m just happy I will be able to help the young kids grow.”
Sharpe has been up to the task. The reliable defenceman with an excellent point shot who helps quarterback the power play, has 10 goals and 19 assists in 49 games this year. He also sports a plus six.
Sharpe has had a long love affair with hockey.
“Since I was born, I’ve been raised around the sport of hockey,” he told OrilliaMatters earlier this year. “My dad played Junior B and taught me how to compete and the importance of giving it your best effort for every game.”
When Sharpe was nine, he started playing with the Orillia Terriers A team. In his first year with the squad, he broke his wrist, which changed his hockey path forever.
Once the young forward was healthy enough to return to the lineup, his coaches decided to move him back to the point to play defence. He has never looked back.
During Sharpe’s time with the Terriers, they went to the OMHA finals twice but came up short both times.
“It was a pretty memorable journey,” he said.
When he turned 11, Sharpe graduated to the North Central Predators AAA program.
Playing with the Predators and contributing to several tournament victories made Sharpe realize that he could play at the next level.
“I got better and better each year,” he said. “It started to become a real possibility for me to play in the OHL.”
His old coach with the Predators, Andrew Morris, provided a letter in support of Sharpe’s nomination for the city’s athlete of the year award.
“I had the pleasure of coaching Chas in his minor midget/U16 year. Throughout the year you could see his dedication, attention to details, and his commitment to improve everyday become apparent,” recalled Morris.
“The more time spent with Chas the more appreciation you have of not only him as a player, but a person, and leader,” he said.
“As our year went on, he was the player more and more OHL teams were asking about and rightly so. Whatever situation he was put in, whatever role was needed, you knew that when Chas was faced with a challenge he would excel,” said Morris.
During his minor midget year, Sharpe was frequently being scouted by OHL teams. He was selected in the third round, 60th overall, by the Steelheads.
“After being selected by Mississauga in the third round you could see he was ready for his new challenge,” said Morris.
“He was one of the youngest players in the league his first year, and he not only earned his way into the lineup, but became an integral part of a team with winning aspirations,” Morris explained.
“Over the next few years I’ve continued to see that dedication and hard work earn him the respect of his coaches and teammates. He continues to get better each year and take on more responsibilities on and off the ice leading to becoming the captain of his team,” said Morris.
“It has been incredible to see his growth as a player and person and see him continue to thrive as an athlete today,” said Morris.
While he shone, the Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School graduate said the transition to the OHL wasn’t easy. But the experience has helped him grow, he said.
“I’ve grown a lot of confidence over the years,” he said. “I’ve been here for a while now and have a really good relationship with our coach, James Richmond.”
Sharpe credits Richmond for giving him “all the tools needed” to succeed in the OHL. He also credits his career year to the work he put in during the off-season.
It’s work he hopes might help him realize his NHL dream.
“This is my last year to get an NHL deal and that’s my goal.”
Leading up to the 2022 NHL draft, Sharpe, who stands six-foot-three, had talked to a few different teams, who ultimately decided to pass on him. He admits he was devastated by being snubbed on the biggest stage for hockey’s best prospects.
“It hurt for sure,” he said. “It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NHL, but there are a lot of different paths to that league.”
Following the draft, Sharpe was invited to the Buffalo Sabres prospects camp.
“Being around NHL players every day was really cool,” he said. “It made me want to get there even more. When you get a little taste of it, it motivates you a lot.”
At the end of the camp, the Sabres decided to let Sharpe return to the Steelheads without a contract.
“It definitely lit a fire beneath me,” he said. “It gave me extra motivation to just keep working.”
Shape has been in contact with several NHL teams this season, giving him hope that his childhood dreams of playing pro are still alive.
Original Article By: Dave Dawson Site: Orillia Matters Date: Feb. 12, 2024 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo:Supplied Photo / Orillia Matters
Twin Lakes grad helped Orillia Royals win league crown and shone on the mound in his sophomore season for Thomas College in Maine.
The Orillia Sport Council will announce the winner of the coveted Orillia Athlete of the Year for 2023 on Feb. 15 at Rotary Place. Isabella Holmgren, Chas Sharpe and Wyatt Thompson have been nominated for the award. Today, we feature Thompson. Click here to read our profile of Holmgren and here to read our profile of Sharpe.
An Orillia baseball player shone on both sides of the border in 2023.
Wyatt Thompson had a stellar season on the diamond for the Orillia Royals last summer. The six-foot-five pitcher was the go-to hurler on his junior team, helping them win a North Dufferin Baseball League (NDBL) championship.
His talents were recognized outside Orillia as he was named the league’s top pitcher and also earned the NDBL’s most valuable player award.
“It meant a lot to me. It was pretty cool” to be recognized, the right-handed pitcher told OrilliaMatters.
Thompson began playing baseball when he was a kid and credits his dad for helping him become the player he has evolved into.
His strong play in the Orillia Royals system over the years helped him to get recognized.
In 2022, the Twin Lakes Secondary School graduate took his talents to Thomas College in Maine. Playing Division III baseball was a dream come true for the local lad.
This past season, as a sophomore, Thompson played in 13 games, recording a 4.18 ERA while compiling a 2-0 record. He had 10 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched. Twice in 2023, he was named the North Atlantic Conference pitcher of the week.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “It feels like the work I’m putting in is paying off.”
He also played basketball for Thomas College, serving as a key bench player for the Terriers.
The 20-year-old says he’s enjoyed putting his talents to the test against some of the best baseball players his age from around the United States.
“The competition is definitely a lot higher than I’m used to,” he said. “Back home you can make a mistake and get away with it, but here there is a lot less room for error.”
While happy with his performance to date, he knows his fastball is not what higher-level teams are looking for.
“I’m a junk guy,” he said with a chuckle. “I throw a lot of curve balls.”
Thompson’s goal is to finish his college tenure with Thomas College by winning the division championship. He has two more seasons left to achieve his dream.
Once Thompson has thrown his final pitch, he plans on coming back to Canada to get his pilot’s licence.
“I’m currently majoring in finance,” Thompson explained. “But being a pilot is something I plan on exploring down the road.”
Thompson says he’s learned through achieving his dream of playing NCAA sports that anything is possible.
“This was a chance that I will never get again,” he said. “If I had tried and it didn’t work out, then I wouldn’t have been worse off because of it.”
In addition to his strong play on the field, Thompson has also put a lot of emphasis on his academics, earning a spot on the Dean’s List. He was an honour roll student at Twin Lakes as well.
“All the coaches and adults I’ve talked to have always said, “Worry about the classroom and getting good grades because that’s what is most important,’ and it’s definitely true,” Thompson said.
None of the success is a surprise to one of his former Orillia Royals coaches, Mark Kuntz, who nominated Thompson for the athlete of the year award.
“He’s an incredible leader … who is loved by his coaches, teammates and officials” and always displays sportsmanship, said Kuntz.
“He is very proud of being from Orillia and represents (the city) with class,” said Kuntz, who noted the driven athlete always works hard, trains hard and is a “very good” student.
Original Article By: Dave Dawson Site: Orillia Matters Date: Feb. 13, 2024 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo: Supplied Photos
City council votes in favour of transferring stewardship of award following group’s ‘tremendous’ job of renewing interest,
After a successful trial over the past year, the Orillia Sport Council will permanently oversee the city’s Athlete of the Year award.
Since 1952, the annual award has recognized local amateur athletes who are a credit to the city for their athletic ability, sportsmanship, and achievements — but the award has seen a drop in interest and nominations in recent years.
Last year, city council voted to transfer stewardship of the award to the Orillia Sport Council for a one-year trial period, given its strong involvement in recognizing and honouring local athletic achievement.
Following a “tremendous” job reinvigorating interest in the award over the past year, council voted at Monday’s meeting for the sport council to permanently oversee the award.
There has been a strong uptake in athletic activity since the Orillia Recreation Centre opened, reported city staff, who noted transferring stewardship of the award will free staff up to submit nominations themselves.
“Transferring the stewardship to Orillia Sport Council also allows for staff to now submit nominations of individuals who are making great strides in their athletic development, hopefully helping to foster a community of lifelong healthy and active living,” stated a staff report.
Coun. Tim Lauer questioned whether the award would still be “owned” by the city, despite the fact the sport council will administer it on an annual basis.
“I have complete faith in the sports council; I think they’re good they’re doing a good job and will do a good job,” he said. “Looking down the road 10 years from now … if that organization faded away, or whatever happened, (I’m wondering if) we automatically pulled it back into our domain.”
Marcia Russell, the city’s director of recreation, youth, and culture, said the award will still be owned and displayed by the city, and will come back under the city’s control should the sport council dissolve.
The recreation advisory committee will continue to be a voting party in the award process, and city staff will be included in communications about award nominees.
The Orillia Sport Council has recommended local athletes “truly performing at the height of their athletic careers” be allowed to receive the award on more than one occasion.
A member of city council will also be included in the presentation of the award.
Original Article By: Greg McGrath-Goudie Site: Orillia Matters Date: Dec. 12, 2023 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo: Nathan Taylor
‘It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NHL, but there are a lot of different paths to that league,’ says Orillia’s Chas Sharpe, who is captain of Mississauga this season.
The dream of playing in the NHL is on the line for Orillia’s Chas Sharpe this season.
Sharpe, 20, began playing hockey when he was around five years old, following in the footsteps of his father.
“Since I was born, I’ve been raised around the sport of hockey,” he explained. “My dad played Junior B and taught me how to compete and the importance of giving it your best effort for every game.”
Sharpe, an only child, also grew up playing lacrosse, which he was also good at.
“Lacrosse is big in Orillia,” he said. “All my buddies were playing, but I ultimately decided to go with hockey.”
Sharpe, a former Severn Shores Public School student, says it was not a difficult decision to choose hockey over lacrosse.
“The game of hockey has always been something that had really appealed to me,” he said. “It’s something that was easy for me to fall in love with.”
When Sharpe was nine, he started playing with the Orillia Terriers A team. In his first year with the team, he broke his wrist, which changed his hockey path forever.
Once the young forward was healthy enough to return to the lineup, his coaches decided to move him back to the point to play defence.
“I was pretty good at it,” Sharpe said. “I was a pretty good backwards skater at a young age which was a huge advantage.”
During Sharpe’s time with the Terriers, they went to the OMHA finals twice but came up short both times.
“It was a pretty memorable journey,” he said.
During his time with the Terriers, the right-handed shot defenceman was coached by Tim Mullen and played with his son, Will.
“They both helped me a lot,” Sharpe said. “I was tight with them during a time when I was growing up and really falling in love with the game.”
When he turned 11, Sharpe graduated to the North Central Predators AAA program.
“It was the right group for me to make it to the next level of hockey,” he said. “I also wanted to stay local in the Orillia area which made it a no-brainer. ”
Playing with the Predators and contributing to several tournament victories made Sharpe realize that he could play at the next level.
“I got better and better each year,” he said. “It started to become a real possibility for me to play in the OHL.”
During his minor midget year, Sharpe was frequently being scouted by OHL teams. He was selected in the third round, 60th overall, by the Mississauga Steelheads, where he has played all five years of his junior hockey career.
“Five years in the OHL is a long time,” Sharpe said. “When you get to this level there is a lot of coaching and tools to help you as a player and a person.”
During his first two years with the Steelheads, Sharpe, a former student of Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School (PF) admits he struggled with being away from friends and family.
“Everybody was back home, at PF, and I couldn’t drive yet,” he explained. “Now that I can drive and a lot of my friends are away for university, it’s a lot easier. I see everyone a lot more now.”
Sharpe, who was named the captain of the Steelheads before this season, has already eclipsed his highest OHL goal total this year. He has 20 points in just 25 games played, placing him fifth on his team in scoring and 14th among defencemen in the league.
“I’ve grown a lot of confidence over the years,” he said. “I’ve been here for a while now and have a really good relationship with our coach, James Richmond.”
Sharpe credits Richmond for giving him “all the tools needed” to succeed in the OHL. He also credits his career year to the work he put in during the off-season.
“I ramped up the intensity,” he said. “This is my last year to get an NHL deal and that’s my goal.”
Leading up to the 2022 NHL draft, Shape, who stands at six-foot-three, had talked to a few different teams, who ultimately decided to pass on him.
“A team called me and said they were going to select me,” Sharpe recalls. “It just didn’t work out that way.”
Sharpe was devastated by being snubbed on the biggest stage for hockey’s best prospects.
“It hurt for sure,” he said. “It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NHL, but there are a lot of different paths to that league.”
Following the draft, Sharpe was invited to the Buffalo Sabres prospects camp.
“Being around NHL players every day was really cool,” he said. “It made me want to get there even more. When you get a little taste of it, it motivates you a lot.”
At the end of the camp, the Sabres decided to let Sharpe return to the Steelheads without a contract.
“It definitely lit a fire beneath me,” he said. “It gave me extra motivation to just keep working.”
Shape has been in contact with several NHL teams this season, giving him hope that his childhood dreams of playing pro are still alive.
“It’s looking very good as long as I keep playing the way I am,” he said. “I have to stay consistent this season and then get bigger and stronger over the summer.”
The Steelheads are currently 16-8-1 this season, placing them first in the Central Division.
“We are always trying to win here,” he said. “Our goal is to make it to the Memorial Cup.”
Sharpe thanks his parents, Paul Sharpe Leslie Newhall, for supporting him along his hockey journey.
“They have supported me through every step of my life,” he said. “They are along with me through this long journey of my hockey career. I’m super grateful for them.”
Original Article By: Tyler Evans Site: Orillia Matters Date: Dec. 5, 2023 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo:C.W. Sports Photography
‘He used, I guess you’d say, colourful language and was pretty stern … we loved to play for him,’ said Mel St. Onge, who led effort to have diamond named in honour of Helioti.
Orillia has lost a legend.
Dean Heliotis, “one of Orillia’s great sportsmen,” died on Nov. 23. He was 90 years old.
Heliotis, a self-described “serviceable” baseball player who also played basketball and football, became a renowned baseball coach, whose name will forever be linked with Grant ‘Gander’ Ross.
Heliotis capped his playing days by helping the Orillia Majors win an Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) championship in 1964.
But he knew it was time to hang up his cleats after that title win, which served as a fitting end to more than two decades of playing for Orillia’s top team.
He told The Packet & Times in a feature interview in 2013 that he had no intention of coaching — until he got a call from Ross, his old teammate and long-time friend.
“Harv Reading decided to retire as manager of the Majors after 1964,” Heliotis told The Packet. “He wanted to hand the reins over to Gander. So, Gander gave me a call and asked me if I would give him a hand.”
And, so began a coaching partnership that lasted several decades, led to numerous titles and helped shaped generations of young baseball players.
While there were many challenges and highlights along the way, Heliotis always said one moment stands out above all others.
That moment began in auspicious fashion as, just weeks before the 1969 season, the Majors fired Heliotis and Ross.
“I remember me and Gander went to the sauna at the YMCA,” Heliotis recalled to The Packet. “I said, ‘Well, I guess we have the summer off.”
But it was not to be. Nels Dunlop, who was heading up Orillia’s junior team, called and asked if the dynamic duo would take over the floundering club. In 1968, the team had won just three games and finished dead last.
“When Gander called and asked me what I thought, I wasn’t too sure,” said Heliotis. “He said, ‘Let’s give it a whirl.’”
It was a good call. The two stern taskmasters turned the team upside down, put a structure in place, injected discipline and created in that group of mostly selfish teenagers a firm commitment to a team-first approach.
“We were a bunch of ball players who didn’t know how to win,” recalled Mel St. Onge, a key pitcher for that squad. “Dean and Gander were so organized. I think the key was they gave us structure. We respected them big-time; they were unbelievable mentors who taught us how to win.”
With Jerry Udell, Doug Roe, Brock Richardson, St. Onge and others, the juniors dominated.
As fate would have it, the juniors met the Majors that year for the league championship in a series that captured the imagination of Orillians young and old.
It took seven breathtaking games, but the juniors shocked the mighty Majors, winning the title in front of more than 2,400 fans who jammed into the fabled Lions Oval to watch the seventh and deciding game that Thanksgiving weekend.
“That was my biggest thrill in baseball,” Heliotis told The Packet. “It was sweeter than winning the OBAs as a player because I had a bigger role. Those boys played so hard.”
That magical triumph served as a launching pad to more than four decades of coaching for Heliotis — at various levels. He was revered by many, feared by some and respected by all whom he coached.
“There were times when I wanted to kill him,” laughed St. Onge, reflecting on gruelling workouts and the coach’s merciless approach.
“He was hard on you. And he made you do things until you got them right. He used, I guess you’d say, colourful language and was pretty stern. Some people didn’t like that, but we loved it. He taught us to be pitchers, not throwers. We loved to play for him,” said St. Onge.
Heliotis made no apologies for his approach and he never wavered in it. It was, he would say, why his teams were successful, helping the 1970 juniors, the 1992 bantams and the 1996 Fenelon Falls peewees to Ontario crowns.
As a testament to his decades-long coaching career, a ball diamond at McKinnell Park was named in his honour in 1998; another diamond was named in honour of Gander Ross.
“Mel St. Onge spearheaded that and I remember my wife saying to me that she couldn’t believe he did that for me because I was pretty hard on him,” Heliotis told The Packet. “It was quite an honour.”
On social media, news of his death has spawned some fond memories.
Local historian Marcel Rousseau called Heliotis “one of Orillia’s great sportsmen,” saying “Dean will be remembered by many Orillians as a great coach and player.”
Ted Williams, now chief of Rama First Nation, shared his memories of being coached by Heliotis and of spending time with him at the downtown pool hall he owned.
“He was a great man who influenced many in sports including me,” said Williams.
Heliotis would likely not have liked the kind words. He always gave credit for wins and titles to his players.
But, when pressed, he said: “I guess it’s a little bit of knowledge, dedication, a never give-up attitude, an ability to recognize talent. I just the love the game and I love to be around it.”
For Heliotis, baseball was a big part of his life, but his family always came first. He and his wife, Christine, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past June. He was proud of his children, Potoula, Louis (wife Angela) and Tom (wife Andrea) and his five grandkids.
Outside of baseball, Heliotis had an interesting and varied career. He was an electronics technician at Orillia Water Light and Power for more than a decade before technology advances made the job obsolete.
In the mid 1960s, he operated Dino’s Rack and Roll, a popular downtown pool hall just east of what is now Brewery Bay Food Co. Following that, he sold life insurance for Prudential before retiring.
Visitation will be held at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N., Orillia on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A service will be held at the Holy Cross St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, 572 Penetanguishene Rd. in Barrie on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Heliotis, who was very proud of his Greek heritage, was a founding member of Holy Cross, where he served on the board for many years.
Original Article By: Dave Dawson Site: Orillia Matters Date: Nov. 26, 2023 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo: OrilliaMatters File Photo
Dean Heliotis passed away peacefully on November 23rd just shy of his 91st Birthday. He was the beloved husband of Christine (Sarantos) Heliotis who survives him and with whom he celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past June. Loving Father of Potoula, Louis (wife Angela) and Tom (wife Andrea). Cherished Grandfather of Vivian, Dean, Christina, Dani and Nate.
Born in Washington D.C., December 19, 1932, son of the late Louis and the late Bertha (Diacoumakos) Heliotis. He attended the Pallicary-Vedova Greek School in Tarrytown New York, Orillia District Collegiate, Upper Canada College and Ryerson University where he graduated in Electronics Engineering.
Dean enjoyed several careers that included being a technologist at Orillia Water Light and Power, proprietor of Dino’s Rack and Roll and as a salesman for Prudential Insurance.
Dean was an accomplished athlete in his time and enjoyed track and field as well as playing baseball, basketball and football. He played baseball in Orillia winning the OBA Championship in 1964 with the Orillia Majors. After the 1964 season, Dean joined his long time friend and team mate Gander Ross and they began their coaching careers taking over the Majors club. He continued coaching until his 70’s eventually winning 3 more OBA titles. One of his biggest thrills in which he always had time to talk about was the 1970 Orillia Juniors team who an OBA title.
In 1998 Dean and coaching mate Gander Ross were both honoured by having a baseball diamond at McKinnell Square Park named after them.
Dean was also very proud of his Greek heritage and was a founding member of Holy Cross St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church where he served on the board for many years. He loved spending time with his family, grandkids and friends. There was never a shortage of great stories and laughs when Dean got together with them.
Visitation will be held at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N., Orillia on Tuesday, November 28th from 6pm – 8pm
Then to the Holy Cross St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, 572 Penetanguishene Road, Barrie Ontario on Wednesday morning, November 29th from 9 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 10 a.m. Interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations to Holy Cross St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church would be greatly appreciated. This can be done at the funeral home or by visiting https://www.stnektariosbarrie.com and clicking on donate.
Original Article By: Site: Orillia Matters Date: Nov. 25, 2023 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo: Supplied Photo
‘I don’t do this for any recognition. I do it to see the athletes excel and work toward their goals,’ says Sutherland, a former Orillia Athlete of the Year.
Orillia’s Toben Sutherland has been recognized by the Canadian Association of Coaches with an Excellence in Coaching Award presented by Petro-Canada.
Sutherland, 47, received the award for coaching Parry Sound native Megan Oldham to a silver medal in slopestyle and bronze in the “big air” event at the 2023 World Championships in Georgia last February.
Sutherland has now won the Excellence in Coaching Award four times during his career.
“I don’t do this for any recognition,” he said. “I do it to see the athletes excel and work toward their goals.”
Sutherland, however, says winning the award means a lot to him because it gives recognition to the sport.
“It gives me validation to see that the program that we have been running is working,” he said. “We will continue to take risks to push the sport in the right direction.”
Sutherland, a Twin Lakes Secondary School graduate, started skiing when he was nine years old. He turned competitive with free skiing when he was 12 and has never looked back. He was named Orillia’s Athlete of the Year in 1992.
In 1997, Sutherland won the Crystal Globe, a world championship title. He won three World Cup events while competing on the international circuit from 1993 until 1999 before transitioning to coaching in 2000 because of injury concerns.
“I found myself at a place where I was making a living coaching and enjoying working with the athletes,” he explained. “I found when I was working with a group of athletes it was much more rewarding to see the team and each individual athlete within it focus and work toward their common goals.”
Sutherland says it’s more fulfilling to him as a coach when one of his athletes wins than it was for him when he won as a competitor.
“It’s been my goal for the last couple of decades to build a group of athletes who can be competitive on the world stage on any given day,” he said. “That’s where my focus has laid for the better part of my career.”
In 1997, Sutherland won the Crystal Globe, a world championship title. He won three World Cup events while competing on the international circuit from 1993 until 1999 before transitioning to coaching in 2000 because of injury concerns.
“I found myself at a place where I was making a living coaching and enjoying working with the athletes,” he explained. “I found when I was working with a group of athletes it was much more rewarding to see the team and each individual athlete within it focus and work toward their common goals.”
Sutherland says it’s more fulfilling to him as a coach when one of his athletes wins than it was for him when he won as a competitor.
“It’s been my goal for the last couple of decades to build a group of athletes who can be competitive on the world stage on any given day,” he said. “That’s where my focus has laid for the better part of my career.”
Already looking ahead to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Sutherland is hoping to take eight athletes to Italy who can land on the podium.
“We want to come out with as many medals as possible,” he said. “We won two medals in 2014, one in 2018, and unfortunately we came up short in 2022.”
Sutherland says he is seeking redemption at the next Olympic Games for the lack of success in 2022 in Beijing.
Sutherland thanks the Orillia community for their support of him over the years.
“I’ve had a ton of support growing up in the area,” he said. “I really appreciate all of the recognition that comes with it.”
Sutherland says he will be visiting Orillia in December to donate his most recent Excellence in Coaching Award to be displayed in the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame at the Orillia Recreation Centre.
Original Article By: Tyler Evens Site: Orillia Matters Date: Nov. 21, 2023 Link to Original:Link to Orillia Matters Photo:Supplied Photo