Category Archives: All

1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, 2020 - 2029, All, Male

Don Thorne

In the fast-paced and competitive world of basketball, few individuals possess the skill, composure, and expertise required to officiate at every level of the game. Don Thorne has risen through the ranks, establishing himself as a highly respected referee across local, provincial, national, and international courts. With a career spanning most of his adult life, he has not only honed his craft in gyms and arenas around the world, but has also become a trusted figure in the basketball community. As the current president of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), Don leads the world’s largest organization dedicated to the education and development of basketball officials, representing over 13,000 members. His journey from officiating local games to the international stage reflects his deep knowledge of basketball and his dedication to fostering a new generation of referees. Through his leadership, the IAABO continues to set the standard for excellence and integrity in basketball officiating worldwide.

Don has been deeply immersed in basketball for more than 40 years. During this time, he has been a member of the Ontario Association of Basketball Officials (OABA) and in 2010 received the OABA Award of Merit. Nationally, Don was the recipient of the Canada Basketball ‘Wink Willox Award’ in 2022. Being a good floor official is the basis for both awards, as well as registering significant a length of service to the sport of basketball. Don is a FIBA-certified Shot Clock Operator, currently working the clock for Raptors905 and the NCAA’s Naismith Classic.

As a mentor, Don’s expertise and knowledge have influenced and guided officials at the highest levels of high school, college, and university basketball. He has supervised OFSSA, OCAA, and OUA tournaments. There are countless officials at these levels of basketball who Don has had a positive effect. His dedication to shaping and supporting the next generation of officials has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues worldwide, solidifying his role as a key figure in the growth and development of basketball officiating

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomed Don Thorne as an enshrined member of Collingwood sporting history.

1930 - 1949, 1950 - 1969, 2020 - 2029, All, Builder, Male

William “Bill” Kirby

From ships to sticks, William ‘Bill’ Kirby has crafted a Collingwood legacy by weaving his career   in shipbuilding with his love of hockey while generously helping others. He devoted most of his   life to the development of young hockey players on the ice and was one of the founding members of Collingwood Minor Hockey in the 1940s. A dedicated Collingwood shipyards worker, Bill found  a unique way to give back to his community by mending broken hockey sticks for the town’s minor hockey players.

With care and craftsmanship, the expert woodworker would repair the damaged sticks discarded by junior and senior hockey teams, ensuring that local kids always had the equipment they needed to continue playing the game they loved. He repaired 200 to 300 hockey sticks per year and provided them free of charge to Collingwood’s young hockey players. Bill’s simple yet meaningful contribution not only supported young athletes but also demonstrated the spirit of generosity and resourcefulness in our close-knit community. His quiet efforts helped foster a love of hockey in Collingwood, leaving a lasting impact on both the players and the town. In the early 1960s, the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association initiated the Bill Kirby Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player who combines sportsmanship, hockey ability, citizenship and proficiency at school and at home.

Hockey is in the blood of the Kirby family. Bill was the father of Albert and Morrill Kirby, two well-known and respected hockey players, and was the uncle of a trio of Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame’s honoured members: Barney Walmsley, Albert Walmsley, and Alan Morrill.  His son, Albert, a true gentleman on and off the ice during his prolific junior, intermediate, and senior hockey days, has also been inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomed William “Bill” Kirby as an enshrined member of Collingwood sporting history.

2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, 2020 - 2029, All, Female, Hockey

Andrea Ironside

Andrea Ironside is a remarkable hockey player whose leadership and competitive spirit have left a lasting impact on women’s hockey, contributing to her team’s national championship success. Her journey began in minor hockey at the age of six in Collingwood and continued as she honed her skills at Jean Vanier C.H.S. After capturing a provincial OFSAA championship in 2004, Andrea made her mark at Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) as a standout player in Varsity hockey. A talented right winger, she excelled at every level: minor, high school, University, and women’s hockey.

Upon enrolling at WLU in 2005, Andrea quickly became a key player for the Golden Hawks. As team captain, she led with distinction, earning accolades as a four-time OUA All-Star, an All-Canadian, and a three-time CIS Championship All-Star. Her career highlights include an impressive five consecutive OUA Championships. Over her 128 games with the Golden Hawks, Andrea tallied 58 goals and 64 assists, totaling 122 points, and she claimed the OUA scoring title during the 2008-2009 season.

On the international stage, Andrea showcased her leadership as a member of Team Canada at the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin, China, and as team captain in 2011 in Erzurum, Turkey. Under her guidance, Canada secured two gold medals, reflecting her vital role in the team’s achievements. “Wearing the maple leaf is a dream come true. It was exciting and an honor to represent Canada,” she shared with Collingwood Today.

Throughout her tenure at Laurier, Andrea received three Laurier Athlete of the Week honors, two CIS championship tournament All-Star selections, and one CIS Second Team All-Canadian nod. After graduating with a degree in Kinesiology, she continued her hockey journey with the Brampton Thunder in the CWHL for two seasons (2010-2012).

Today, Andrea lives in Guelph, Ontario, where she has dedicated the past nine years to serving in Toronto Paramedic Services. Her personal life is equally inspiring; she is married to Cindy Eadie, a celebrated Hall of Fame hockey goaltender.

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomed Andrea Ironside as an enshrined member of Collingwood sporting history.

2000 - 2009, 2020 - 2029, All, Female, Hockey

Andrea Bevan

Andrea Bevan is a distinguished hockey player with a remarkable career that includes two international gold medals and a national championship, all beginning in Collingwood. She was a pivotal member of Collingwood Collegiate Institute’s inaugural hockey team and excelled in soccer and basketball, but hockey ignited her passion. Her outstanding performance in the sport earned her the junior and senior Athlete of the Year honors at CCI.

Continuing her hockey journey, Andrea played defense at Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), where she was instrumental in leading the Golden Hawks to five consecutive OUA championships. Her accolades at Laurier include being named Laurier Athlete of the Year twice, a four-time OUA All-Star, a three-time All-Canadian, and the OUA Player of the Year for the 2008-09 season. Over her 137 games with the Golden Hawks, she recorded 33 goals and 79 assists, totaling 112 points. Notably, during the 2008-09 season, she led all OUA defensemen with eight goals and 18 assists, ranking third among all OUA players in assists.

Andrea’s international achievements feature gold medals at the 2007 U22 European Cup and the 2009 FISU Games in Harbin, China. After completing her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education, she balanced a successful career as a high school teacher and coach while playing in the CWHL. This marks Andrea’s third Hall of Fame ceremony, having previously been inducted into Collingwood Collegiate Institute’s Black and Gold Sports Hall of Fame and the Wilfrid Laurier Hall of Fame in 2014.

Before returning to Collingwood to launch a hockey development program with her husband, Andrea spent a season in the Finnish Women’s League, where she excelled as team MVP, accumulating 56 points (21 goals and 35 assists) in just 24 games and earning All-Star recognition. Andrea’s legacy in hockey is deeply rooted in her family’s history; her late father,   Ray, moved to Collingwood over 50 years ago to play junior hockey with the Blues.

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomed Andrea Bevan as an enshrined member of Collingwood sporting history.

1950 - 1969, 2020 - 2029, All, Male, Skiing

David Christie

In 1945, David Christie began his skiing career on the slopes of Blue Mountain. After 6 winters, Dave had progressed from his self-proclaimed high speed downhill adventures due to a lack of turns to entering his first race in 1951. 

David’s ascent to the podium quickly outpaced his downhill career. In 1953, David was crowned as the Province’s top skier in the Ontario Junior Alpine Championships. He promptly reclaimed his title in the 1954 Ontario Junior Championships a result of his 1st place Slalom, 3rd place downhill finishes.  This result qualified him for the 1954 Canadian Junior Championships at the Fort William Ski Club in Lakehead where he took home a Top 20 national ranking.

After his successful ski racing career, David turned his attention towards supporting the Blue Mountain Ski Club in recognition of their past support for his career. As President and racing member, David participated in a number of agreements resulting in the acquisition of lands and building of the Collingwood Ski Club (CSC). David recognizes Jim Russell, Sonny Foley, Don Mason, Jack McMurchy, Greg Titus, Alex Stevens, Bev Willis, Grant Michel and Garth Paton for their invaluable work in the construction of the clubhouse.

During the 1970’s, the CSC flourished as its membership worked alongside Blue Mountain to host the 1972 Benson & Hedges Pro-Am races that attracted world class racers such as Spider Sabich and Jean Claude Killy (3x Olympic medalist). Today, the Collingwood Ski Club maintains a strong and active membership at the north end of Blue Mountain Resort.

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes David Christie as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.

1970 - 1989, 2020 - 2029, All, Builder, Male

William “Bill” Redick

Bill Redick is recognized for his leadership in championship hockey team through his formula of building a community based hockey teams supported by a winning culture for 3 decades.

Throughout the 1960’s, Bill was an Executive for the Collingwood Shipbuilders OHA Senior & Intermediate teams & Collingwood Kings. In 1969, Bill alongside future Collingwood Sports Hall of Famers Jeep Jackson and Don Jeffrey successfully negotiated the return of OHA Junior B Hockey to Collingwood. This rebirth of the Collingwood Blues based on strong foundational relationships with corporate sponsors, fans and players allowed hockey to return to a town with hockey roots dating back to 1894.

A recognized leader during the club’s formative years in the 1970’s, Bill Redick was President for 5 years in the Junior B circuit and again when the team entered Tier 2 Junior ‘A’. The club benefitted by the combined skills of Redick’s business acumen and Jackson’s coaching to the established winning culture culminating in four (4) League Championships before moving to Junior A. In 1974, the team’s Game 7 home loss to the St. Mary’s Lincolns for the Sutherland Cup remains a lasting memory for local fans after an undefeated home record throughout the Ontario playoffs.

A multi-sport athlete, Bill enjoyed playing hockey, slo-pitch and golf and proudly represented the Town in these pursuits. A successful business owner, W.D. Redick & Associates, Bill has earned multiple national rewards for his sales and town support acting as a past Chairman of the Collingwood General Marine Hospital’s major gift game and catalyst behind the Georgian Triangle Humane Society alongside his company’s continued sponsorship of minor hockey and baseball teams.

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Bill Redick as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.

1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2020 - 2029, All, Browse by Category, Builder, Male

Fern St. Onge

Fern St. Onge spent 30+ years (1964-1996) involved in playing, coaching or managing every level of Collingwood hockey. During this time, he was instrumental in building the lives, the livelihoods and character of many a player (Collingwood Minor Hockey, Junior A & C, Intermediate A and Senior A) who walked through the doors of the Eddie Bush Arena.

Fern was recruited by fellow HOF member Dr. Don Paul in 1964 to play for the Collingwood Shipbuilders after 2 years playing with the OHA Jr. A Peterborough Petes under the renowned coach Scotty Bowman.

In 1973, Fern volunteered to coach the Collingwood Juvenile Lions. A team desperately looking for a coach to ice a team. Without any previous coaching experience, Fern fell back on his observations from the excellent coaching he received as a player. His believe that a “team” outweighs the sum of the parts was introduced and reinforced to an eclectic mix of challenging 17-18 year olds throughout the season. It worked . . . as the Juveniles captured the OHA Championship after 5 challenging play-off rounds. After 20 years of playing/coaching in the Intermediate, coaching Senior and Junior C, Fern retired from Sr. hockey. There was, however, a desire to share his knowledge to youngsters, many of who couldn’t skate. Not surprisingly, Fern returned to the arena in 1988 to coach Tyke and Novice House League teams to emphasize the fun and wonder of the hockey.

In 1999, Fern was presented with the 3M Coaching Recognition Reward from the CMHA. Upon Fern’s nomination, the Hall of Fame received heartfelt recommendations from players, fellow coaches and parents that retold stories of his friendly and enthusiastic manner that built self-esteem and knowledge for hockey techniques.

Away from the ice, Fern served on the Collingwood Parks, Recreation and Culture Board from 1988-1990.

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Fern St. Onge as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.

1950 - 1969, 1970 - 1989, 1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2020 - 2029, All, Builder, Male

Harvey Pearen

Harvey ‘Harv’ Pearen’s commitment to Collingwood sports spans six decades in his beloved hometown, helping to build a solid foundation for youth hockey and baseball to thrive in the community.

As a builder, Harvey coached various hockey teams during the 1960s, including the
Collingwood Legionnaires Midgets, Georgian Bay Champions in 1967-68 and perennial strong competitors on the ice. The Legionnaires capped off the ‘67-68 season with tournament victories in Wingham and Orillia.

In 1966-67, his I.O.O.F. team went to the OMHA finals. Among the many players he coached during his tenure were two Collingwood-born NHL’ers, Randy Osburn (Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers) and Paul Shakes (California Golden Seals). Harvey moved up the ranks to Junior hockey during the 1970s, as the Manager of the OHA’s Collingwood Blues. He added hockey referee and baseball umpire to his extensive sports resume.

Harvey’s longevity as an athlete in hockey and baseball included being a member of Flash’s All-Stars hockey team, the league champion Shell team, Beaver Lumber Sunday Morning Risers, and 2000 Senior Winter Games Silver Medalists. His first championship in hockey was in the 1950s with the South End Rangers. John Hill, member and proponent of the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame, was his coach.

He was a talented fastball catcher with the Co-operators Insurance, Brown’s Lumber Kings, Gurney Sports, Fisher Electric and LOF Glass. He bravely caught hard-throwing pitcher Jim McAllister (Inducted into Hall of Fame – 2008). Among his teams’ achievements was winning the Jack Hammill Memorial Trophy in the Blue Mountain Softball League.

On Saturday, May 23, 2023, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Harvey Pearen to its enshrined membership.

1990 - 1999, 2000 - 2009, 2010 - 2019, 2020 - 2029, All, Builder, Female

Patty Federer

Patty is and has been a lifelong volunteer in sport. Over 40+ years, her endeavors have allowed thousands of athletes, coaches and officials to compete across the globe. Patti has built multiple sports teams/programs for Special Olympics and Para Olympics and represented our community, province and country as an organizer, technical advisor, coach and official.

Patty leads by example and can be found at every event to be mentoring coaches, volunteers and officials.  The respect for Patty’s dedication is reflected in her role as the only female and Canadian Alpine official at Special Olympic World Winter Games for the past 23 years.

In 1997, Patty founded the Blue Mountain Alpine Special Olympics program serving as Head Coach and Sport Technical lead for 10 years. She was selected as Head Coach for Alpine at 3 Special Olympics National Games. Her continued passion for ensuring people with intellectual disabilities had quality coaching drove Patty to be a classroom facilitator for numerous world-wide sport technical clinics. In 2000, she added the National Coach Certification Program to her long list of facilitations.

Through her success in creating the Alpine Ski Program, she founded the Special Olympic Blue Mountain Golf program serving as Head Coach for 10 years.

The Special Olympics proudly state, “Many people teach but few are as highly popular and moreover respected as Patty Federer.  Special Olympics has recognized Patty as both Coach of the Year and Presidents Award for all she has given during her tenure.

Patty has participated in hundreds of local, provincial, national and international events including six (6) Special Olympics International World Winter Games in Collingwood, Alaska, Japan, Idaho, South Korea and Austria; Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and three (3) Nor-Am Alpine.

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Patty Federer as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.

2010 - 2019, All, Championship Teams, Hockey

2017-2018 Collingwood Blackhawks PeeWee AE Hockey Team

Coaches: (Left to Right) Justin Cragg, Mike MacDonald, Travis McDiarmid, John Limoges, Todd Hammond
Bottom Row Players: Ben Limoges, Goalie Kade McDiarmid, Goalie Nate Ryan
Second Row: Ben Rossbaum, Ryder Osbourn (AP), Evan Cragg, Patrick Rush, Brody Robinson, Cam MacDonald, Will Mantrop, Gavin Hammond
Back Row: Max Exner, Owen Hammond, Mackenzie Robinson, Camden DaSilva, Chase Cooper, Andrew Dorchak (AP), Drew McGuirk

During the 2015-16 regular season, the Atom AE 3 Blackhawks carried a stellar record of 19 wins and a single loss on the way to an OMHA title and being crowned Georgian Bay Minor Hockey League Champions. The Hawks team also captured the gold as Silver Stick Regional champs, earning a trip to the International Silver Stick finals where they lost narrowly in the semi-finals to the team that eventually came out on top.

The team’s domination during the 2015-16 regular season, play downs and playoffs earned the hard-working and talented club multiple distinctions: top of the league during the regular season with a .950 winning percentage; league champions following round-robin and finals versus Essa; Regional Silver Stick champions, allowing only 3 goals against in four games; and OMHA champions, losing only one game in four series. The Blackhawks went deep into Tier 1 of the Silver Stick in Pelham, Ontario, in 2016.
The Collingwood Blackhawks AE 3 squad captured the OMHA championship and Jack Tolhurst Memorial Trophy on March 19, 2016 in game four of the final series against Lincoln. They also knocked off Oro, Kincardine and Napanee.