George Sinclair – Meritorious Service
George Sinclair has a long history of being involved in sports in Prince Albert.
At the age 17, Sinclair started coaching fastball in the city with the CKBI team of 9 and 10 year-olds. Also at 17 he became the Assistant Coach in hockey alongside George Boisson for four seasons, including winning the city championship and playing at the Gordie Howe Hockey rink in Saskatoon.
Sinclair continued coaching hockey and baseball and took the Prince Albert Junior Knights to provincials. This team included Don (Pooh) Nelson who went on to succeed in hockey and broadcasting. George Sinclair coached teams and had success winning numerous city titles out of Nordale/Hazeldell. George was most proud of the discipline he instilled into his team each year.
In 1976 on the fastball diamond, Sinclair’s South Hill Midgets made it to the Provincial championship which was a best-of-three against Saskatoon. After losing the opener 5-4 in Saskatoon, the South Hill squad won 7-6 in PA. The deciding game in Saskatoon was won by the host team 6-4. In 1982 the Sheraton Playboys, coached by Sinclair also advanced to the Provincial championships in Moose Jaw, losing 2-1 in the final to the Moose Jaw Merchants.
George Sinclair started umpiring fastball and slo-pitch at the age 21 and would continue to do so passionately each year for almost 50 seasons until he was 70. George also acted as Host Umpire for many Western Canadian Tournaments hosted in Prince Albert. He would make sure umpires from around the country had a great stay in our city, a task he took seriously each time. He had the support of many businesses in the city and continued through the Midget Boys Canadians of 2009.
George Sinclair was a goal judge at the very first Prince Albert Raiders home game at the Comuniplex in 1971. Sinclair was a goal judge every season for the Raiders through the SJHL to the Western Hockey League and was involved right up until his passing in 2017, 46 years later.
He also was a caretaker at the Parkland Hall for many years, acting also as a mentor for kids playing hockey outside or in the gym. He started the breakfast program for underprivileged children at Parkland.
