Induction Ceremonies | NWOSportsHallofFame

40th Anniversary Induction Dinner and Ceremonies

The 40th Induction Dinner & Ceremonies of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame were held in Thunder Bay on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 at the Valhalla. Over 260 people were on hand to welcome in the Class of 2023 which included athlete inductees Bill Seagris and Ryan Parent; builders Peter Gallagher, Jamie Kompon and Peter Young and the members of the 2010 Thunder Bay Queens Midget AA Hockey team who claimed the Esso Cup as Canadian champions including Amber Butler, Michela Cava, Kylie Cornell, Michaela Coulter, Riley Cronk, Haleigh Croves, Savanna Gamache, Jana Henry, E. Heroux, Brianna Iazzolino, Megan Leikkari, Amanda Makela, Taylor Savard, Courtney Tougas, Kaitlyn Tougas, Kaitlyn Quarrell, Brittany Zuback, Denis Lavoie (coach), Dan Lavoie (assistant coach), Randy LaPointe (assistant coach) and Crystal Tustian (trainer/manager).

Special thanks to Diane Imrie and Chris Ficek and his team at Maverick Entertainment for their work on writing and producing our induction videos and to Bryan Wyatt for voicing them, and to Master of Ceremonies Dallas Allaire, John Sims who captured the evening in photographs and pianist Pat Towell and vocalist Denise Krawczuk who once again wowed the crowd with their great talents.

Congratulations to our newest inductees and thank you to everybody who helped make the evening a great success including our patrons, program sponsors and presenting sponsor TBaytel.

Class of 2023 on stage during the 40th Anniversary Induction Ceremonies.

39th Induction Dinner and Ceremonies

After a two-year absence it was great to be back honouring the region’s outstanding sports heritage at our 39th Induction Dinner & Ceremonies. Close to 200 people were on hand in the Valhalla Inn on Saturday, September 17th to welcome in the Class of 2022 which included Athletes Gerry Cizmar, Jason Napper and Taylor Pyatt, Builders Patti Kitler and Ken Slater and the 2017 Canadian Mixed Curling champions and World Silver medalists, Trevor Bonot, Jackie McCormick, Kory Carr, Megan Carr. Thanks to Chris Ficek and Maverick Entertainment for creating our biographical and ceremony video.

Congratulations to our newest Inductees and thank you to everybody who helped make the evening a great success. Special thanks to Diane Imrie and Chris Ficek and his team at Maverick Entertainment for their work on writing and producing our induction videos and to Bryan Wyatt for voicing them and taking on the Master of Ceremonies duties. John Sims captured the evening in photographs and pianist Pat Towell and vocalist Denise Krawczuk once again wowed the crowd with their great talents.

Thanks to all of our patrons and program sponsors who helped make the event a success and to TBaytel who served as our Presenting Sponsor and to the Ontario Trillium Foundation who provided funding for the creation of our inductee videos and the recording of the event.

The Class of 2022

Jason Napper Patti Kitler Team Bonot

Gerry Cizmar Taylor Pyatt Ken Slater Family

38th Annual Induction Dinner and Ceremonies

It was another great evening honouring sports excellence with a large crowd on hand on September 28th in the Valhalla Inn Ballroom to welcome the Class of 2019 into the Hall of Fame including Athletes Bill Houlder, Trevor Stewardson, Paul Wragg and Dave Van Belleghem and Builders Mike Furlong and Lloyd Stansell. Congratulations to our newest Inductees and thank you to everybody who helped make the evening a great success. Check out the 2019 Induction Ceremony video on our Youtube Channel nwosport.

Special thanks to Diane Imrie and Paul Morralee for their work on writing and producing our induction videos and to Bryan Wyatt for voicing them. Dallas Allaire once again did a great job as our Induction Master of Ceremonies. Marty Mascarin captured the evening in photographs and pianist Pat Towell and vocalist Denise Krawczuk once again wowed the crowd with their great talents. To see pictures of the event click here!

Class of 2019 (l-r): Lloyd Stansell, Paul Wragg, Dave Van Belleghem, Trevor Stewardson, Bill Houlder, and Mike Furlong

37th Annual Induction Dinner and Ceremonies

Saturday September 29th, 2018.
Valhalla Inn Ballroom

A large crowd was on hand to welcome The Class of 2018 into the Hall of Fame including Athletes Lynda Devine-Starczewski, Dave Gatherum, Dennis Olson and Janet Sillman and Builders Richard ‘Dick’ Hill and Scott Fawcett.

Congratulations to our newest Inductees and thank you to our staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make the evening a truly first-class event. Special thanks to Diane Imrie, John Zupan and Bryan Wyatt for their work on our induction videos and to Dallas Allaire who once again did an outstanding job serving as our induction Master of Ceremonies. John Sims captured the evening in photographs and the incredible talents of pianist Pat Towell and vocalist Denise Krawczuk added to the success of the evening. Plan now to attend the 38th Annual Induction Ceremonies set for Saturday, September 28th, 2019 at the Valhalla Inn.

Check out the 2018 Induction Ceremony video on our Youtube Channel nwosport by clicking here.

Click here to see photos from the event.

The Class of 2018 (Back row L-R): Scott Fawcett, Janet Sillman, Lynda Devine-Starczewski, Richard "Dick" Hill.

(Front row L-R): Dennis Olson, Dave Gauthrem.

Highlights from the 2017 Induction Dinner & Ceremonies

Over 400 people were on hand to welcome The Class of 2017 into the Hall of Fame including Athletes John Jones, Bob Kelly, Lou Kok, Chris Pronger and outstanding sports Builders Ab Cava and Irene MacLeay.

To watch the ceremonies from this wonderful night check out our Youtube Channel nwosport by clicking here.

Check out the photos from the event.

The Class of 2017 (L-R): Irene MacLeay, Lou Kok, John Jones, Chris Pronger, Bob 'Battleship' Kelly, Ab Cava.

Highlights from the 2016 Induction Dinner & Ceremonies

The Class of 2016 were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 35th Annual Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. The Inductees included athletes Liam Parsons, Kathy Williams-Waruk, Ron Busniuk and Jeff Treftlin and builders of sport Todd Hinds and Jim Johnson, who were honoured posthumously.

The Class of 2016 (L-R): Liam Parsons, Kathy Williams-Waruk, Ron Busiuk, Jeff Treftlin, Heather Lynn Pouru (representing the late Todd Hinds), Judy Johnson (representing the late Jim Johnson).

Photos from the 2016 Induction Dinner.

Highlights from the 2015 Induction Dinner & Ceremonies

The Class of 2015 were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 34th Annual Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. The Inductees included Debbie (Clarke) Zemba, Sean Crooks, Bill Keenan and Chris Lindberg, professional sports builder Dr. Vern Stenlund and an outstanding baseball volunteer Jim Mauro.

To watch the ceremonies from this wonderful night which included a surprise visit from a hockey legend, click here. Cick here to view the photos from the event.

The Class of 2015 (l-r): Debbie (Clarke) Zemba, Sean Crooks, Bill Keenan, Chris Lindberg,

Bill Mauro (representing his father the late Jim Mauro), Dr. Vern Stenlund. (Photos by John Sims)

Highlights from the 2014 Induction Dinner & Ceremonies

The Class of 2014 were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 33rd Annual Induction Ceremonies, held on Saturday, September 27th and included Athletes Jason Myslicki and Amber Peterson and John Adams who were joined by Builders John 'Gino' Gasparini and Dryden's Bill Salonen. The Air Canada Cup winning 1996-97 Thunder Bay Kings AAA Midget Hockey Team rounded out the 2014 slate of inductees. The 2014 Induction Ceremony video can be found on our Youtube Channel nwosport and photos from the event on Flickr.

The Class of 2014 (l-r): Jason Myslicki, Amber Peterson, John Adams,

Stephanie Gasparini (representing her brother John ‘Gino’ Gasparini), Bill Salonen. (Photos by John Sims)

1996-97 Thunder Bay AAA Kings Midget Hockey Team entered the Hall of Fame for their outstanding accomplishment in winning the Air Canada Cup as Canadian champions.

(Photo by John Sims)

Highlights from the 2013 Induction Dinner & Ceremonies

It was another great evening in celebration of sports excellence as people gathered at the Valhalla Inn to celebrate The Class of 2013 which included Athletes Andrea Cole, Tony Hrkac and Katie Weatherston, Builders Brian Mallon and Brian McLean and the members of the 1991 Canadian Open Lightning Class Championship Sailing Crew consisting of skipper Jim Cameron, Janice Allard-Cameron and Charlie Spence, the first sailing team to enter the Hall of Fame.

To watch biographical videos of other Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame Inductees check out our Youtube Channel nwosport by clicking here

The Class of 2013 on stage following their induction.

(l-r): Andrea Cole, Mary Hrkac (representing son Tony Hrkac), Katie Weatherston, Brian Mallon, Brian McLean, Janice Allard-Cameron, Jim Cameron.

(Photo by Jarron Childs, Superior Images)

Past Induction Dinner and Ceremonies