Category: 2002 Inductees

The 2002 inductees to the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame

  • 1993-1996 Prince Albert Celtic Girls Soccer – Team

    1993-1996 Prince Albert Celtic Girls Soccer – Team

    In the mid-1990s the Prince Albert Celtic Girls were the dominant team in female soccer in Saskatchewan.

    The Celtic captured five provincial championships and appeared at the national championship three times in a four-year period from 1993 to 1996.

    Competing in the under-15 and then the under-17 divisions, the Celtic won Saskatchewan outdoor soccer championships in 1993, 1995 and 1996. In 1994, they finished second in the Saskatchewan outdoor final. The Celtic added provincial indoor titles in 1993 and 1995.

    On the national scene, the Celtic traveled to Quebec City, Saskatoon and St. John’s, Newfoundland for Canadian championships. The Celtic performed admirably at the Canadian championship level, improving with each appearance at the nationals, including a sixth place finish in 1996.

    Besides provincial and national championships, the Celtic competed successfully at a number of prestigious tournaments in Western Canada. In 1994, the Celtic won tournaments in Saskatoon, Regina and Red Deer. The Festival of Soccer in Saskatoon was a favourite for the club as it captured that tournament in each of 1993, 1994 and 1995 and finished second in 1996.

    The Celtic were primarily coached by Brian Fremont and Don McGillivary, with Don Radcliffe and Rick Gardiner coaching the team in 1994.

    An example of the high skill level of the team is shown by the fact that 10 players were members of the Sask First soccer program and four went on to play for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies team. Two players from the Celtic participated at the Western Canada Games and one player participated in the Canada Games and the World University Games in Beijing, China.

    The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct the Prince Albert

    Celtic Girls Soccer Team in the Team category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    1993 Celtic Girls Soccer Team
    1994 Celtic Girls Soccer Team
    1995 Celtic Girls Soccer Team
    1996 Celtic Girls Soccer

  • 1973 – 1980 Prince Albert Crescent Celtic Boys – Team

    For an eight-year period through the 1970s, the Prince Albert Crescent Celtic Boys soccer team enjoyed success at the local, provincial and Western Canadian levels.

    Celtic captured provincial championships in three different age categories and appeared at the Western Canadian championship three times. The club also won four consecutive city championships from 1975 through 1978.

    Celtic won their first provincial championship in 1976, taking the under – 14 title. The club traveled to Vancouver later that year for the Western Canadian championship. During those years, the Western Canadian championship was the national semi-final event.

    In 1978, Celtic added the under-16 provincial championship and followed that with an appearance at the Western Canadian championship in Brandon.

    Celtic captured the under-18 Saskatchewan championship in 1980 and again traveled to Vancouver to participate in the Western Canadian championship. Also in 1980, Celtic captured the bronze medal at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan and the consolation at the Strathcona Legion tournament in Edmonton.

    The Celtic were coached by Bill Kerr, while John Odnokon and the late Ron Lloyd and Tom Ramsdell were managers.

    Eight members of Celtic were chosen as members of Team Saskatchewan during their playing careers and four went on play soccer for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

    Many Celtic players were multi-sport athletes with three going on to play junior hockey with the Prince Albert Raiders.

    The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct the Prince Albert Crescent Celtic Boys Soccer Team in the Team category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    1975 Crescent Celtic Boys Soccer Team
    1976 Crescent Celtic Boys Soccer Team
    1978 Crescent Celtic Boys Soccer Team
    1980 Crescent Celtic Boys Soccer Team
  • Ryan Byrne – Athlete

    Ryan Byrne – Athlete

    Ryan Byrne always wanted to be a cowboy. And, in a rodeo career that lasted more than 20 years, he was one of the best.

    Byrne began participating in rodeos at the local level as a junior steer rider, calf roper and a bull rider. But, he soon took up bullfighting. A rodeo bullfighter has dual responsibilities – to help get a bull to buck, and then, if the rider is thrown, to distract the bull to keep him away from the cowboy. It is a difficult and dangerous profession and Byrne had his share of injuries during a career that ended in 1999.

    Byrne received tremendous recognition from his peers.

    He was chosen 14 times by bull riders to fight at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. And, in 1986, he became the first and only Canadian to participate at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The top 15 bull riders in the world vote on the bullfighters who participate at the National Finals Rodeo. Byrne was an alternate at the event in 1987 and 1993.

    Rodeo was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and Byrne was the gold medal winner in the bullfight competition between Canada and the United States. He was also the featured bullfighter at the Calgary Stampede from 1994 through 1999.

    Chosen the “Cowboy of the Year” by the Canadian Professional Cowboys Association in 1993, Byrne also represented Canada at international events such as the Wrangler Showdown Competition in Scottsdale, Arizona.

    Beyond the rodeo arena, Byrne appeared in television movies and documentaries; participated in television commercials and music videos; and was known for his charity work – visiting children’s hospitals and schools in many cities.

    The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct Ryan Byrne in the athlete category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    Ryan Byrne – Athlete
  • Ron Stewart – Athlete

    Ron Stewart – Athlete

    Ron Stewart has been one of Saskatchewan’s premier golfers for more than 30 years.

    Stewart’s long list of golf successes includes three Saskatchewan championships – the 1970 Saskatchewan Junior title and the Saskatchewan Amateur championship in both 1978 and 1988.

    He has participated in two Canadian junior championships, four Canadian amateur championships and two Canadian mid-amateur events. Stewart was a member of the Saskatchewan Junior golf team in both 1969 and 1970, the Saskatchewan Willingdon Cup team in 1979 and 1989 and the Saskatchewan Mid-Amateur team in 1998 and 2001.

    The list of his accomplishments at the local level includes: six Northern Saskatchewan Amateur Championships; 11 City Open titles; 10 May Day Masters championships; and four Cooke Municipal Golf Course club championships.As of the induction date, Stewart’s golf career included two holes-in-one. His lowest score recorded for 18 holes is a 63. Stewart also managed a 64 twice and 10 times recorded a score of 65.

    Stewart has also contributed to the sport of golf at the organizational level. The prime organizer of the Saskatchewan Junior Golf Tour, the junior golf coordinator for the Prince Albert Men’s Golf Club, and member of the Men’s Golf Club executive for more than 20 years. In 2000, he chaired the Saskatchewan Junior Golf Championship and also has served as a committee member for Canadian Ladies, Canadian Junior Men’s and Canadian Club Champions championships in Prince Albert.

    The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct Ron Stewart in the athlete category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    Ron Stewart – Athlete
  • Marshall Johnston – Athlete/Builder

    Marshall Johnston – Athlete/Builder

    Marshall Johnston has accomplished almost everything that can be accomplished in the world of hockey.

    Johnston has achieved success as a player, coach and administrator.

    The native of Birch Hills began playing hockey in the school program in his home community.  In 1957, Johnston joined the Prince Albert Mintos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.  In two seasons he averaged better than a point a game and was chosen a league all-star.

    Johnston’s play with the Mintos earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of Denver.  His career at Denver was highlighted by an NCAA championship in the 1960-61 season.  Denver also won two conference championships during Johnston’s playing career.  He was team captain in the 1962-63 season, leading Denver to second place nationally.

    From U.S. college, Johnston moved to the Canadian national team and played in two Olympics – 1964 and 1968.  He was captain of the latter team that captured a bronze medal.  As a member of the national team, Johnston also played at three world championships, earning bronze medals in 1966 and 1967.

    Johnston turned professional with the Minnesota North Stars in the spring of 1968 and played in the North Star organization until the end of the 1970-71 season.  In 1970-71, Johnston was a first team all-star with the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League and was named the league’s top defenseman.  At the end of that year he was traded to the California Gold Seals and played there until retiring after the 1973-74 season.

    Johnston’s coaching career began as head coach of the Golden Seals in 1974-75.  He then returned to his alma mater, coaching the University of Denver from 1975 through 1981.  He was named coach of the year in 1977-78. Johnston also coached internationally, heading Team USA at the world junior championship in 1978 and Team Canada at the world championships in 1978, 1979 and 1982.  Team Canada received bronze medals at the 1978 and 1982 championships.

    In May 1981, Johnston was named assistant coach and assistant general manager of the Colorado National Hockey League franchise.  He took over as interim head coach early in the next season and then when the franchise moved to New Jersey to become the Devils, Johnston returned to an assistant coaching role.

    In New Jersey, Johnston moved more into the administrative aspects of the sport, becoming director of player personnel in 1983.  He held that role until the end of the 1993 season.

    For two seasons, 1993-94 and 1994-95, Johnston was executive director of a four-team scouting combine for the Dallas Stars, Hartford Whalers, Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers.  After scouting for the New York Islanders during the 1995-96 season, Johnston was appointed director of player personnel for the Ottawa Senators in July 1996.  He was named general manager of the Senators in June 1999 and retired from that position in June 2002.

    Johnston was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998.

    The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct Marshall Johnston in the athlete and builder categories.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    Marshall Johnston – Athlete/Builder
  • Zigurds “Zig” Legins – Builder

    Zigurds “Zig” Legins – Builder

    Soon after moving to Prince Albert in 1976, Zig Legins became involved in the sport of table tennis; a sport he learned in his homeland – Latvia.

    Legins was a founding member of the Prince Albert Table Tennis. He coached, officiated and organized many events, including the table tennis venue at the 1982 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Prince Albert. Legins’ contributions to the Prince Albert Table Tennis Club were recognized with a life time membership in 1986.

    His activity at the provincial level has been extensive. A director of the Saskatchewan Table Tennis Association for many years, Legins coached the Saskatchewan team at the Canadian championships in 1978. He has served as head umpire at numerous provincial tournaments and has also fostered improved officiating by conducting umpire clinics throughout Saskatchewan.

    Legins received his national umpire’s designation in 1979 and his referee’s  certificate in 1991. He was an umpire at the national championships in Vancouver in 1979 and 1990, chief umpire at the 1990 Junior National Championships in Prince Albert and the national championships in Toronto in 1991. From 1992 to 1996, Legins served as an umpire or referee at national championship events.

    Legins earned his international umpire designation in 1986. That year he was selected as an umpire for the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales. He also officiated at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in 1997. Lejins was an umpire at the North American Championships in 1998.  In 1996, Legins was an alternate umpire at the Atlanta Summer Olympics and then served as an umpire at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta.

    In June 2002, Legins was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct Zig Legins in the builder category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    Zigurds “Zig” Legins – Builder
  • Cec Corrigal – Meritorious Service

    Cec Corrigal – Meritorious Service

    Cec Corrigal has contributed to sport in Prince Albert and district in almost every way possible – as a participant, an organizer, a sponsor and a motivator.

    Born in St. Louis, Corrigal competed athletically with many professional athletes while serving in the military during the Second World War.When he returned home from overseas, Corrigal played softball locally with a number of teams, the highlight coming when he was part of the Prince Albert Lumber Jacks with famed pitcher Ollie Fiddler. That team won the Saskatchewan Senior B championship in 1953.

    One of the high points of his playing career came when a local all-star team led by Fiddler defeated the King and His Court featuring the famous Eddie Feigner. Feigner commented that Fiddler was the best orthodox pitcher they had ever played against.

    As his business commitments increased, Corrigal stepped back from the playing field in the mid-1950s. In 1967, he was approached by a group of players looking for a sponsor for their team. The Corrigal Seals became one of the best senior men’s softball teams in the Prairie Provinces.

    The Seals enjoyed great success, particularly in the Saskatoon Merchants Tournament, an event that regularly attracted many of the best clubs in Western Canada.

    Corrigal, a furrier, added to the team’s notoriety by having fur cushions made for all the wives and girl friends of the players to make watching games more comfortable.

    As time went on, players on the Seals began to retire from active participation and Corrigal began to participate more in sports through his talents in public speaking and acting as master of ceremonies for countless banquets and presentations. Corrigal was master of ceremonies for the Sportsman’s Celebrity Dinner on many occasions from the mid-1960s to the 1980s. He also could be counted on to serve as master of ceremonies at national events such as the National Firefighters Curling Championship, the Seagram Stone national play downs and the Purolator Cup.

    In 1977, Corrigal became sponsor of the annual ladies cash bonspiel, known as the Cec Corrigal Curling Classic. From 1979 and on he sponsored high level women’s competitive rinks.

    Corrigal has provided his talents as a speaker and master of ceremonies to numerous fundraising ventures   including those that supported development of the Comuniplex, Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club building and the Kinsmen Arena.

    Corrigal’s contributions to the community have been recognized by being named Prince Albert Citizen of the Year.

    The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct Cec Corrigal in the Meritorious Service category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    Cec Corrigal – Meritorious Service
  • Brian Vickers – Builder

    Brian Vickers – Builder

    Brian Vickers became involved as a coach in the sport of wrestling in 1977.

    In Prince Albert, Vickers has coached at the school level – PACI and Carlton Comprehensive High School – as well as the club level. From 1984 to the induction date, he was president of the Prince Albert Wrestling Club.

    Provincially, Vickers has a broad range of involvement.

    In 1982, he was manager of the Zone 8 team at the Saskatchewan Winter Games. Coach of the Prince Albert Wrestling Club at various Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association (SAWA) age-group championships, Vickers was recognized as coach of the year in 1987 and 1988.

    He served as a tournament director for both high school and SAWA provincial championships and was a member of the SAWA board of directors at various times since 1988, including president from 1998-2000. Vickers was Sask First area coordinator for wrestling from 1987 to 1994.

    In 1999, Vickers was director for wrestling at the Western Canada Summer Games in Prince Albert.

    A Level 3 certified coach, Vickers has coached at national and international events including the Cadet World Championships in Collingwood, Ontario (1987) and Warrensburg, U.S.A. (1989). He has also served as chef of the Canadian junior team at the World Festival in Alma, Quebec in 1991. In the area of coaching development, Vickers was part of the Level 4 task force at the senior world championships in Toronto in 1993.

    In 1991, Vickers received the Saskatchewan Sport Volunteer Recognition Award.

    The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct Brian Vickers in the builder category.

    Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

    Brian Vickers – Builder