In every community, there are personalities that can be counted to get it done! In Collingwood, throughout the 1960’s & 70’s, Don Pollard was a familiar sight at the Eddie Bush Arena or baseball diamonds as a coach, sponsor and proud father.

In 1950, Don arrived in Collingwood to play for the legendary Collingwood Greenshirts (OHA’s Junior C Team of the Century) following his junior career with the OHA – Oshawa Generals. Don was an integral member of the 1951 & 1952 Greenshirts for two of their 3 three-peat OHA championships.

In the formative years of the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association (CMHA), Don enrolled in Hockey Canada’s newly created “National Coaching Certification Program” to become a “rep” coach. He worked diligently to earn Level 3 classification. This ranking was rare and earned by very few due to its time and learning requirements. Additionally, Don was an organizer and member of the founding committee. He is credited with implementing the tournament format of today’s Huronia Tournament through his tournament experience as a coach. Don ended his career in minor hockey as a referee.

A year-round sportsman, Don loved baseball. He coached for many years, leading Collingwood to the 1970 York Simcoe Hardball Championship.

Don’s temperament and discipline was respected by his players and parents. As a businessman, his sponsorship of Don Pollard Plumbing hockey and baseball is legendary! He was also a member of the Kinsmen Club who built the existing ballpark at the intersection Second and Spruce Streets.

On Saturday, October 27, 2018, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Don Pollard as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.

John Stephenson was a familiar sight behind the players’ bench and on the ice during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, at the regal Eddie Bush Memorial Arena on Hurontario Street.

For twenty-six winter seasons, Stephenson coached the fundamentals of hockey to Collingwood’s youngest players. Thousands of hours of dedication and commitment to his teams and the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association were recognized with a 1986 Special Award of Merit, presented in recognition of his generous donation of time and knowledge and promoting minor hockey for the benefit of kids from Collingwood and surrounding area.

Stephenson’s hockey coaching career started in 1960 with a Collingwood local league team. He remained as head coach of local league teams before starting in the ‘rep’ loop in 1967. He remained in rep hockey until 1986. His teams earned international, provincial, regional, and league championships.

The 1972-73 McKean and MacLean Major Novice ‘A’s were a powerhouse team with a stellar list of accomplishments and tournament victories. The Novices were North American and Regional Silver Stick Champions, and won the league title, the Peterborough Invitational, Regional Little NHL, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship, and the Georgian Bays. They were also provincial Little NHL finalists.

Stephenson was a Level 2-certified coach through the auspices of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s National Program. He was a key organizer and founder of Collingwood Minor Hockey’s annual Huronia Tournament parade of teams.

During summer months, Stephenson hit the baseball diamond as a Collingwood Baseball manager and Collingwood Slo-Pitch player and manager. He was the 1992 Legionnaire of the Year, receiving the John MacPherson Memorial Award and has worked 30 years at the Collingwood Legion, where he is a Life Member.

On October 22, 2016, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomed John Stephenson as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.