Category: 2000 Inductees

The 2000 inductees to the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame

  • 1995/1996 Prince Albert Northern Buslines Midget Selects – Team

    1995/1996 Prince Albert Northern Buslines Midget Selects – Team

    For a three-year stretch the Prince Albert Northern Buslines Midget Selects were a well-oiled machine and it all came together with back to-back national championships in 1995 and 1996.

    The Selects were runners-up in the provincial finals each of those two years, but they were unstoppable when they got to the national tournament. In 1995, they gained the second provincial berth when the defending champions were from Saskatchewan and in 1996 they were both the host team and defending champions and therefore guaranteed a spot in the national tournament despite once again finishing second in the province.

    There was a core of players who were with the team for both of those championship seasons. They were: Scott Reed, Derek Smith, Robby Boisson, Darryl Isbister, Brady Loewen, Christian Hudon, Chris Thompson, Clayton Debray, Jesse Bergen and Darcy Byrne. For 1995, other players included Devin Kennard, Bret McKay, Tyler Kerr and Cory Boisson while in 1996 the new faces were Travis Strube, Warren Ferguson, Darren Schnarr and Chris Schlosser. The coaching staff remained constant for both championships with Gord Byrne, Garry Smith and Kim Dryka making the calls.

    The team’s success didn’t just end at the national level. The Selects also captured the International Softball Congress Under-19 Western Championship which was played in Mt. Vernon, Washington, and they followed that up with the I.S.C. World Youth title which was played in Kimberley, Wisconsin.

    While the team titles were being amassed, so were a number of individual awards. At the 1995 National Tournament in Winnipeg, Derek Smith and Scott Reed were named to the all-star team as the pitcher and catcher, respectively. Clayton Debray also claimed the batting championship at the national event. In 1996, Darcy Byrne was the lone all-star from Prince Albert as his pitching performance was brilliant. Byrne was also named the Softball Saskatchewan Male Athlete of the Year – an honor which had been bestowed upon Derek Smith the previous season. Gordon Byrne picked up the Softball Saskatchewan Coach of the Year honors and the team was runner-up for the Sask Sport Team of the Year title.

    Back home, two players from the club were recognized for their achievements as Smith claimed the Prince Albert Athlete of the Year distinction in 1995 and Darcy Byrne laid rest to the honor one year later. Therefore, it is only fitting that the final glory to bestow on these champions is a place in the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame and it is with sincere pride that they are welcomed into the team category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

    1995/1996 Prince Albert Northern Buslines Midget Selects – Team
  • Tom Chad – Athlete

    Tom Chad – Athlete

    It’s unusual, but a rich bloodline of hockey players produced one of Prince Albert’s most dominant football players and track and field stars.

    Tom Chad was born on March 9, 1955, in Prince Albert with his father and two uncles having had enjoyed successful hockey careers. Tom, however, excelled in everything but hockey.

    While attending St. Mary High School, Tom participated in basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer and cross-country, but it was football and track and field where he dominated. At high school, Tom was the most valuable player on the football team after winning the rushing title and becoming the all-time leader in points scored. He also captured city and provincial titles in the long jump, high jump, 100-yard, 220-yard and 440-yard running distances.

    A collegiate career ensued and for five years Tom Chad continued his domination in both athletic endeavors.

    On the football field with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Tom established a pair of records when he averaged 19 yards a carry in a single game played on Sept. 7, 1974, and that same year his average per-carry was nine yards for the entire season. In 1977, Tom was selected to play for Canada in the Can-Am all-star game against the USA and he was also the Edmonton Eskimos’ number 1 pick in the Canadian Football League college draft. Subsequent tryouts with the Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders never landed him a professional contract, but he had made a mark on the provincial and national football scene. In fact, he was named to the all-Canadian all-star team in 1977 as a defensive back.

    While with the Huskies’ track team, Tom continued his proficiency as he captured a national title in the 200-yard race in 1975 and two years later he was a part of the national champion 4 x 200 metre relay team which established a Canadian record in the process. At a tri-meet held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1977, Tom established a new school record for the 300-yard distance while also winning the 440 yard race.

    After graduating from college in 1978, Tom turned to coaching as he helped at the U of S sport camps in both football and track and field and he was also an assistant coach with his alma mater – the Huskies – for four seasons. Tom has also conducted coaching clinics and arranged Emergency Medical Technician coverage at junior football games.

    Named the outstanding male athlete at the University of Saskatchewan in 1978 and inducted into the U of S Athletic Wall of Fame in 1994, it is only fitting that his hometown acknowledge his accomplishments as he is given his rightful spot in the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame athlete category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

    Tom Chad – Athlete
  • Lewis Hobson – Athlete/Builder

    Lewis Hobson – Athlete/Builder

    It is often heard that an athlete wants to give back to the community – and their chosen sport – in appreciation for their success. Seldom is it ever realized. That is not true when it comes to Lewis Hobson.

    Born on August 20, 1936, in Claire, Saskatchewan, Lew discovered at an early age that he had a special talent – throwing a baseball. Lew was playing junior baseball at the age of 14 and by the time he was 17 he was playing at the semi-pro level. In the early 1950s, Lew played for the Saskatoon Moores, which at the time, was one of the finest junior baseball teams in the province. While still junior aged, Lew signed on with the Saskatoon Gems of the Western Canadian Baseball League and three years later he joined the Saskatoon Commodores where he set a Canadian-American semi-pro record by fanning 16 batters on June 16, 1959.

    Lew’s accomplishments on the pitching mound landed him a four-year scholarship to the University of Arkansas, but it was there that his dreams of playing in the big leagues were snuffed out. During his sophomore season at Arkansas, he slipped off a rain-soaked mound and tore apart his shoulder. His fastball wasn’t ever the same and with that injury the big-league scouts quit keeping tabs of his progress.

    While at the University of Arkansas, Lew, however, did complete his studies as he majored in physical education and this ultimately brought him to Prince Albert where he began teaching at P.A.C.I. in 1960. Immediately upon arriving in Prince Albert, Lew set out to develop and renew the community’s interest in baseball. Lew approached the Elk’s Club to sponsor a senior team and this club went on to record numerous achievements over the years.

    Lew also brought organized football to the city. Lew had helped Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon reach the provincial finals on two occasions in the early 1950s and when he arrived in Prince Albert in 1960 he got the wheels in motion for a high school league. Lew made use of what resources were available to get equipment in place for the league and the same can be said for track and field in the city as Lew was largely responsible for establishing the facility situated adjacent to P.A.C.I. school.

    Not only was Lew an elite athlete – he was also an accomplished curler having been to the men’s northern for five straight years in the 1960s – but he also became known in the city as a fantastic organizer. The list of Lew’s accomplishments in this area is incredible. In addition to the aforementioned baseball and football endeavors, Lew was president of the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club when that organization relocated from downtown to its present location at Cooke Municipal Golf Course. Lew organized the first Special Olympics track and field meet in 1969 and he was president of the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association from 1970-74. Lew served on the board of directors for the Prince Albert Raiders from 1979-83 and he was the coordinator of a benefit hockey game for a young promising player by the name of Dale Willick who was paralyzed in a car accident. Lew has been the mayor of the athlete’s village for the 1982 Saskatchewan Winter Games, helped organize the 1991 Saskatchewan Senior Games and chaired a special fundraising committee which completed construction of the Harry Jerome track at Prime Ministers’ Park. He was also involved in the fundraising project which enclosed the West Hill Community Club – the first to do so in the city.

    Lew’s involvement in the community stretches far beyond the sporting world, but it is there that he has had his biggest impact on Prince Albert. For his accomplishments as both an athlete and as a builder, the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame proudly includes his name on both lists in its shrine.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

    Lewis Hobson – Athlete/Builder
  • John Odnokon – Builder

    John Odnokon – Builder

    Like most fathers, John Odnokon became involved in hockey when his four sons began playing the game. Unlike most fathers, his talents took him to a level even he himself never imagined.

    John was born in Blaine Lake on October 31, 1930. An avid sportsman all his life, John really became involved in hockey when his family moved to the Crescent Heights area of Prince Albert.

    One of the roles he assumed in his new community was sharpening skates for the kids. His proficiency in this discipline brought him in contact with the expansion Prince Albert Raiders of the Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League. The rest, as they say, is history.

    In 1972, John joined the executive of the Northern Hockey Development Association – the governing body for the Raiders – and in the next 10 years he served in a number of capacities. Among them was chairman of the board for the SAJHL from 1974 until 1982. In this role, John’s voice of reason was often listened to as he headed a rules committee and developed and implemented league policies.

    When the Raiders left the SAJHL to join the Western Hockey League in 1982, John stepped down from the executive position he had held for a decade, but that wouldn’t last long. In 1994, John returned to the board of directors for the Raiders and in 1996 was elected president. John also headed a task force to come up with solutions on how to get the Raiders financially stable and in this endeavor helped develop a vision statement and philosophies.

    John’s other involvements in hockey were always behind the scenes as he was a minor hockey coach and manger with one of his clubs winning a provincial title in 1975-76. John has also worked at club-level development hockey schools in addition to serving on the minor hockey league board of directors.

    A lifetime member of the SAJHL it is with great pride that the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame welcomes John Odnokon into its shrine in the builder category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

    John Odnokon – Builder
  • Duncan Sinclair – Builder

    Duncan Sinclair – Builder

    People involved behind the scenes in sports seldom get acknowledged for their efforts and in the case of Duncan Sinclair it is better late than never.

    Duncan was born on July 9, 1888, in Scotland and after arriving in Canada when he was 19 years old, he embarked on a long and illustrious career that would continue until he passed away at the age of 85 in 1973.

    At a time when sports trainers were rare, Duncan brought forth a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help numerous athletes return to the high level of performance at which they were accustomed to prior to being injured. Duncan also became an influential coach in boxing as well as an instructor in golf.

    As a trainer, Duncan worked with several hockey teams including the M & C Aviation Warhawks from 1942-45; the Prince Albert Regents from 1947-48 and the Prince Albert Mintos from 1949-55. Duncan also was a trainer for local soccer teams from 1954-58. Among the list of notable players that sought his assistance were Johnny Bower and Gordie Howe. Duncan would always be available to work with hockey clubs including those visiting Prince Albert. One such instance was in 1947 when the Notre Dame Hounds were battling the Regents for the provincial Senior B title. Two players from the Hounds paid a visit to Duncan the night before the deciding game and his work helped the Hounds cruise to an easy 12-1 victory. Not the result he was expecting, but it showed his dedication and talents were in high demand.

    In the 1950’s, the Prince Albert City Police Boxing Club was looking for a coach and despite being in his 60’s, Duncan gladly filled the role. As a result, four boxers captured provincial titles. They were: Hal McGunigal, Bo Carlson, Al Campbell and Frank Schwan. Duncan’s experience in boxing was undisputable as he had captured the army lightweight and middleweight crowns in 1915 before heading overseas to serve his country in the First World War.

    Golf was always a favorite of Duncan’s as he had become a club professional in Edmonton upon his arrival in Canada in 1907. After going more than 20 years without holding a club, he reached the quarter-finals with a borrowed set of clubs at a 1939 tournament held in Prince Albert. Five years later he was both the Open and Amateur Champion of the Prince Albert Labor Day Northern Golf Tournament. His skills in golf were later utilized as an instructor at Waskesiu and at a driving range in Prince Albert during the late 1950’s.

    It is with great pride that the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame adds the name of Duncan Sinclair to the list of builders inducted in the local shrine.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

    Duncan Sinclair – Builder
  • Barclay Rocheleau – Athlete

    Barclay Rocheleau – Athlete

    For an athlete to succeed in one sport it is the result of a lot of hard work. For an athlete to be successful in two sports it is indeed a rare accomplishment. Barclay Rocheleau not only succeeded in two sports, he dominated.

    Born on February 13, 1962, in Prince Albert, Barclay began playing sports at a very early age. From the time he was six years old he was playing baseball in the summer and hockey in the winter. When he reached his teenage years, Barclay was gaining attention year-round.

    In hockey, Barclay played most of his minor years with the Parkland Community Club. When he was 16 he joined the Midget AA Raiders and a year later he was playing Junior B with the Prince Albert Jaks. The next two seasons were with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League and in each of those campaigns he helped the Raiders win the Centennial Cup which is symbolic of national supremacy in Junior A hockey. His final year with the Raiders was capped with a spot on the national championship all star team as the top left winger of the tournament. Barclay played senior hockey with the Prince Albert Buckeyes as a 20-year-old and then finished his playing career two years later with the Shellbrook Elks.

    Those accomplishments alone are impressive, but they were not nearly as dominant as what he did on a ball diamond.

    At 15 years old, Barclay switched from baseball to softball and from then on he captured every honor possible in the Prince Albert area and abroad. From 1977 to ’81 he played with the Old Dutch Twins in the Sportsman Softball League and during that span he was named an all star at first base and captured the home run title. The next four years were in the P.A. Senior Softball League where he won every title imaginable. He was the rookie of the year in 1982, the batting champion, an all-star outfielder, most valuable player and the home run king in each of the four seasons.

    From 1986-90, Barclay played Senior “A” ball in Canada during the summer and in the winter he was in New Zealand tearing up the league “Down Under”. For four years – from 1989 to 1992 -Barclay was a member of the Canadian National Fastball Team and on five occasions from 1986 to 1993 he was at the Canadian National Championships where he garnered all-star outfielder status four times. In 1986, Barclay was named to the all-world all-star team while competing with the Saskatoon All-o-Matic A’s at the International Softball Congress held in Sioux City, Iowa. That same year he was picked as an all-star outfielder at the Camrose World Series of Fastball.

    Barclay has since passed on some of his knowledge in the game by coaching a women’s club in a Saskatoon Senior A league and he also helped coach the Junior B Prince Albert North Stars to a provincial title once his playing days in hockey were over.

    Already an inductee in the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1980-81 Centennial Cup champion Prince Albert Raiders, the local shrine is proud to give him a place of his own in the athlete category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

    Barclay Rocheleau – Athlete
  • Allan Olson – Builder

    Allan Olson – Builder

    Pick a sport and Allan Olson has been involved in it.

    Born on December 8, 1935, in Prince Albert, Allan grew up competing in numerous sports and that carried over to his adult years where he coached and instructed in most of the same disciplines.

    Allan was the top athlete at the city’s Public School Sports Day in 1947-48 and after playing his entire minor hockey in the city he later toiled with the Anavets hockey club. Allan was also a competitive curler during this time as he grew up in a curling family. His mother Marg was provincial ladies’ champion in 1951 and 1955 and they often curled together in bonspiels.

    It was as a coach and as an instructor that Allan made his mark, however. From 1963 to 1975, Allan was either the coach or manager of a city and provincial champion in softball. For three straight years beginning in 1963, Allan guided a Squirt girls’ team to the city and provincial titles and then the next three years saw his Pee Wee girls club claim the city and provincial championships. In 1969, Allan’s squad won the Bantam title and was runner-up in the provincial playdowns before moving up to Midget for the next two years where again they were both city and provincial champions. In 1972, the Allan Olson coached Junior team won both the city and zone titles and also completed at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Moose Jaw.

    That was the end of the line for that particular club and the Opti-Mrs. squad was later honored with a spot in the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame’s team category for their amazing run of success. Allan then reverted back to the Pee Wee Division for three years where he was a manager and assistant coach on three more city championship teams.

    In hockey, Allan led both the Bantam and Midget teams from Parkland Community Club to city titles as he guided both squads at one time. Allan was the coach of the Midget team from 1970-72 and the Bantam team in 1971.

    Allan has also umpired women’s softball in the city and instructed curling at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club. His competitive curling career has seen him play in the C.N.R. Big 60 curling club as well as the senior men’s league at P.A.G.C.C.

    Allan has received two outstanding service awards from Softball Canada and it is with great pride that the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame includes his name on its honor roll in the builder division.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

    Allan Olson – Builder