Category Archives: Years Competed

JOHN ROWE

Jack (aka John) Rowe was not only one of Collingwood’s greatest and best known athletes, at the age of 90, he was still an important cog in this town’s sporting fraternity.

Born of a pioneer Collingwood family in 1885, he was on the active sports scene for
almost three quarters of a century. Apart from numerous team sports, he will be
remembered mostly for his success as a long distance runner. He once defeated
Billy Steel in a ten-mile race at Barrie and Steel represented Canada
in the 1908 Olympics.

Jack and two other outstanding Collingwood runners, Ancil Williamson and Hec Lamont, once ran an exhibition five-mile race against the legendary Tom Longboat, Canada’s greatest distance runner. The race took place sixty-five years ago right here
in Collingwood in the old Pine Street rink. We won’t go into the details, but the
Collingwood trio running as a relay team and with the assistance of a little skull duggery, defeated the peerless Indian runner.

Jack’s best game was lacrosse. We saw him play his last game against Alliston at the
age of forty-eight. To say he held his own that evening would be a bit of an
understatement. Collingwood won the game 5-4 and Mr. Rowe scored four goals,
including the winner.

For forty years he was a landmark on Collingwood ball diamonds as a player,
manager, umpire and as president of the softball league no fewer than six
times.

He played on Collingwood’s first basketball team, re-organized and served as
president of the Town Hockey League. Few people know of his boxing ability but
he has a gold medal to prove it. In 1917, Sergeant Jack Rowe, representing the
157 Battalion, won the Fourth Canadian Division Welterweight title. Ten years
ago, at a testimonial dinner, Bill Akos presented a new trophy to Blue Mountain
Softball League. It was named the Jack Rowe Trophy. Just a small tribute to a
man who played such a major part in Collingwood’s sporting history.

TOM COLLEY

The Collingwood Shipbuilder’s began their climb towards ‘Senior A’ supremacy with the arrival of Tom Colley for the 1981-82 season.

At the age of 8, Tom’s tasted his first of 6 consecutive league championships in AAA
in the Toronto M.T.H.L. During each season, Tom’s reputation as a goal scorer
grew as he tallied 55 to 92 goals per season.  TC’s goal scoring continued throughout a two year stint with the Weston Dodgers in Jr. B followed by another two years of 20+ goals in the OHA playing for the Niagara Falls Flyers and Sudbury Wolves.

Eventually, Tom Colley was the fourth choice of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft and turned pro in 1973 with the New Haven Nighthawks, where he would spend the next seven years. Colley played one NHL game in 1974.  During his illustrious AHL career he earned the nickname as Mr. Nighthawk as he routinely potted 30+ goals while wearing the “C” from 1977 through 1980. This consistency was recognized in 1998 when he was honoured by New Haven as one of the city’s greatest hockey players.

In 1981, Collingwood welcomed its first legitimate goal-scorer in many years. Immediately, goaltenders across the Georgian Bay loop felt the warmth of the ‘red’ light behind them as Tom averaged 1.5 points per game for the next 5 seasons. He led the league in scoring during the 1982-83 while the Shipbuilder won the Major Int. “A” Champions coming in second place in the province behind Timmons.

In 1985-86, upon the completion of the Shipbuilder season, Tom was signed by the Dundas Real Coys to compete in the Hardy Cup. Not surprisingly, Tom provided some clutch short-handed and power-play goals as the Real Coys captured the the Hardy Cup. Like most champions, Tom ended in competitive hockey career going out in style by winning the OHA Senior “A” title 4-games-to-2 against the Dunnville Mudcats of the Southern Ontario league.

Fortunately, Tom Colley stayed in the Collingwood area upon his retirement as chose to share his talents as a Collingwood Minor Hockey coach progressing to the coaching staff of the Collingwood Blues – Ontario Tier 2 Provincial Jr. ‘A’ , serving as an assistant in two separate stints with the club. Consistent with his playing career, Tom coached his teams to multiple Silver Stick Championships and league titles. Not surprisingly, his induction supported by many heartfelt testimonials from his coaching career.

Away from the rink, Tom’s baseball prowess resulted in an invitation to the 1970 Pittsburgh Pirates training camp. Following his hockey career, Tom was a valued member of the Provincial Champion – Collingwood John’s Car Wash Slo-Pitch team that represented Ontario in the 1989 & 1993 Slo-Pitch Nationals.

Alongside his son Kevin Colley, Tom Colley’s induction marks the fourth time a parent-child has been represented in the Collingwood Sport Hall of Fame.

LARRY GIBBONS

Larry Gibbons makes the Sports Hall of Fame as an aggressive all-around athlete.

Born in Collingwood, he grew up fast and always looked three or four years older  than his team mates and opponents when he performed for the minor hockey and ball teams.

He came through the Collingwood Minor Hockey system and looked like a Juvenile  when he played bantam, much to the consternation of the other kids and their parents.

Larry drew the attention of the scouts when he played a major part in helping the Collingwood Bantams reach the finals in the Bantam Division of the O.M.H.A.

After a season with the Collingwood Junior “C” club, he was drafted by the Toronto Marlboros and sent to the Markham Junior “B” club for the 1965-66 season where he was named to the Metro Junior “B” All-Star team.

Drafted in the second round by the Chicago Black Hawks while still Midget age, he was assigned to the St. Catherine’s Black Hawks in the Junior “A” loop for two seasons in 1967 and 68.

Although he never made the N.H.L. he played eight years in the Black Hawk organization.

Larry joined the Greensboro Generals in the Eastern Hockey League in the 1968-69 season and was with the same team when the Generals won the Southern Division championship in 1970.

He jumped back to Senior “A” hockey with Oakville in 1971 and was voted the league’s most valuable defenseman.

After another season with the Greensboro club in 1972 he went to the Flint Generals in the International League where he set a team record in scoring for defensemen in 1973.Flint won the Northern Division championship.

He starred with the Dallas Black Hawks when that team won the Central League title and the Adams Trophy in 1974.

After another full season with Dallas, Larry moved back with the Flint Generals in the International League and retired at the end of the 1975-76 season.

For three summers he directed the Detroit Red Wings Hockey School in Bracebridge and for two more summers conducted the Wasaga Stars School at Wasaga Beach.

He coached the Alliston Juniors to the Ontario semi-finals before calling it a hockey career.

Larry was an exceptionally good football player and was named the most valuable player with the Collingwood Collegiate Seniors in 1965.  He had considerable placed well up in the Ontario Schools Ski Racing programme.

Always a lover of horses, he became a certified farrier and was assistant manager of the Ontario Harnessmens’ Association for two years. Involved as an owner, trainer and driver of Standard Bred horses since 1972, Larry owned and operated the Intosh Harness Supplies Ltd. and Custom Blend Horse Feeds, coupled with a busy mail order horse supply businesses and the operation of the Tack Store at Windsor Raceway.

His uncle, Alex MacMurchy, a well known former long distance runner, was one of the first athletes to be inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.

BERT McLEOD

Bert McLeod can qualify for Collingwood’s Sports Hall of Fame in several categories because he excelled in every game he ever tried.
As a student in the Collingwood Collegiate over seventy years ago, he won the junior, intermediate and senior athletic awards in senior athletic awards in successive years and played fullback on the C.C.I. first ruby-football team.
As a member of the Collingwood Y.M.C.A. he stared in basketball, volleyball, track and field, gymnastics, baseball and lacrosse.
Bert played on Collingwood Junior O.H.A. teams for several years and then became a key defenseman with the Collingwood Intermediate team that lost only four games in three years- winning the provincial title in 1918-19-20.
Bret moved on to Peterborough in 1921 where he led the Lift Lock City team to two O.H.A. Senior “A” championships.
He turned professional with Kansas City in the mid twenties and pioneered the game in the mid-west American city as a player and coach.
During his seven-year win three championships and was never out of the play-offs. After his long athletic career he operated a successful pharmacy in Peterborough.

NORM RULE

Norman Rule qualifies for Collingwood’s Sports Hall of Fame as a competitor and a builder.

This pioneer sportsman passed away in 1973 at the age of ninety-six, a member of Collingwood’s first hockey team organized eighty-nine years ago in 1894.

It was mainly through the organization ability of Mr. Rule that the first team came into being. He borrowed a pair of cricket pads and took over the goalkeeping duties behind such pioneer players as Ed Elworthy, Charlie Norris, a man who later became vice-president of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, Date Andrews, Reg Brown, later a wealthy business man in British Columbia, Fred Hopkins, who lost his life in Klondike Gold Rush in ’98, and Bill Toner, who had the honor of being elected Collingwood’s first hockey team captain.

Norman Rule could be classed as one of the town’s first all around athletes. He was a better than average ball player, an outstanding golfer and his name is on the Ontario Tankard Curling Trophy won by Collingwood in 1913.

His contribution to hockey alone rates him as a candidate for the Sports Hall of Fame but his real value came in the promotion and organization of sports in general. I have five individual trophies, all won by Norman Rule, stored at my home at the present time.

TOM COLLINS

One of the most colourful hockey players in the history of the town.

Tom played on  Collingwood’s second Ontario Hockey Association’s team for ten years around the
turn of the century.  He was a member of the 1907 Intermediate Ontario
finalists.  He played professional hockey with Portage La Prairie and
Minneapolis.  He was also a star lacrosse player.

AL GREIR

Since playing Old Timers he has competed in over 2000 games, many
tournaments, won many medals, too numerous to mention. Alan coached Minor hockey for twenty years.

Football 1952,53,54,55 – Played football for CDCI

Track & Field 1952,53,54,55 – Competed in 100, 200, half mile, pole
vault and 2 Senior Championships, also numerous track events including the
Tud-Hope meets & represented central Vancouver Island at the Senior B.C.
Summer Games.

1950-59 – Numerous Hardball and Fastball Teams in Collingwood, winning
Fastball Championship in 1959.

Golf 1953 – CDCI Golf Championship

1958 – Collingwood Golf & Country Club Handicap Championship

This evening June 9, 2000 marks the induction of Alan Greir into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in the Players’ category.

LINDSAY MIDDLEBROOK

Lindsay was born in Collingwood, Ontario on September 7, 1955, the youngest of six children. He began skating at age three on an outside rink at Wasaga  Beach, Ontario.

In the summer of 1962, Lindsay moved with his family toToronto. In the fall of 1962 at age seven Lindsay began his hockey career by joining the Bert Robinson Minor Hockey League at the tyke level.

He played in this league until 1964. After winning the league championship the
first year, he played a second year of Tyke house league hockey for Bert Robinson and a third Tyke year for the Bert Robinson “Hornets”. In 1965, he switched to the George Bell Hockey Association where he played for their M.T.H.L. representative for the next three years of Minor Atom, Atom, and Pee Wee level hockey. Over the next three years, these three teams accounted for three Metropolitan Toronto Hockey League
Championships, three Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championships, a Silver Stick Hockey Championship (Port Huron, Michigan) and a Quebec Pee Wee “AA” Championships (Quebec City).

In 1968, Lindsay transferred to St Michael’s College Arena to play Minor Bantam for Toronto Olympics (M.T.H.L.) the following year playing for Foster Firebirds (M.T.H.L.) in the Bantam division. Lindsay was selected as the Toronto Telegram’s All-Star Goalie in the M.T.H.L. Lindsay enjoyed two successful seasons of Junior “B” hockey, including selection as the Western Division’s All-Star Goalie in the Junior “B” All-Star game and the All Ontario Junior “B” Championships.

In 1977, Lindsay signed as a ‘free-agent” with the New York Rangers. He split his 1st year of professional hockey between the New Haven “Nighthawks” of the American League and Toledo “Goaldiggers” of the International Hockey League, leading the “Goaldiggers” to the Turner Cup International Hockey League Championship while being voted First All Star Goalie.

The second year (1978-79) Lindsay led the New  Haven “Nighthawks” to the Southern Division Championship of the American Hockey League.

The following six years of professional hockey involved being drafted second by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1979 N.H.L. expansion draft. He split his time between the Jets and their central Hockey League Farm Team, the Tulsa Oilers. In 1981 Lindsay was names second All Star Team Goalie in the C.H.L. and in 1982 first All Star Team Goalie. Lindsay played for the Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and the Edmonton Oilers.

STEVE SAMMONS

In 1981, Steve captured his first Cadet provincial championship in the 84 lb. weight class.  He would go on to win eight consecutive provincial titles and six Canadian Cadet championships in whatever weight class he grew into, which topped off at the 112 lb. mark.

In 1982, he returned from the World Championships in Los Angeles with a silver medal, and then a fourth at the same competition in 1984.  Sammons is also the only wrestler in Georgian Bay Secondary School Association history to win the regional high school title in all five years he competed.  He went on to win two OFSAA championships in Grades 12 & 13.

His career was far from over after high school, however, as he went on to win on CIAU gold medal and two OUAA titles for York University in the late 1980’s.

He was a member of Canada’s national team and placed third in the 52 kg. Weight class at the 1988 Olympic trial for the Games in Seoul, Korea, but a recurring shoulder injury would later put a premature end to his career.

Steve Sammons was inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame, in June 1994.

 

DON COOK

Don Cook has enjoyed success on both the golf course and hockey arena.  At the time of Induction, Cook has played in eight (8) Ontario Amateur Golf Championships and four (4) Canadian amateur tournaments over the years, and qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Rochester, New York’s Oak Hill course in 1994.

Along the way, Cook has won over 25 club championships across Ontario and holds several local course records including his home course – Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club.

During his hockey career, Cook helped the Collingwood Juvenile Cubs win an Ontario title as a defenseman in 1955-56 and went on to play several games for the Jr. “’A” Guelph Biltmores under coach Eddie Bush in 1957.

He went on to captain the Waterloo Jr. ‘B’ Siskins for three seasons (1958, ’59 & ’60) and then played pro in Holland for a couple of years.

Don Cook was inducted into The Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in May 1996.

In Dec 2022, Don Cook passed away suddenly in Collingwood leaving behind many friends.