Sports Wall of Fame

The selection criteria and nomination process laid out below is a comprehensive plan that ensures nominations are assessed equitably.  The Sports Wall of Fame selection Committee will be the Recreation & Leisure Advisory Committee. The mandate of this Committee is to advise and assist Council and the residents of the Town of St. Marys on matters relating to Recreation and Leisure. This program meets the mandate within the Terms of Reference for this Committee.

All completed submissions will be reviewed with a maximum of three inductees being added each year regardless of category. Incomplete nomination forms will be returned for further information and may not be eligible for this year’s consideration. If a nominator is unsuccessful in any given calendar year that may request feedback from the committee and consider resubmission for the following nomination period. Only persons or teams meeting the criteria shall be eligible for selection.

Nominees will be individuals or teams that have been outstanding in their athletic field and have brought recognition to themselves and St. Marys. 

Nominations shall be made through an official nomination form on the Town of St. Marys website. Hard copy forms will be available through the Town of St. Marys and may be submitted via the Guest Services Desk at the Pyramid Recreation Centre once completed. Nominations must contain the fullest possible data concerning the record and merits of each candidate or team. Nominations must have the consent of the nominee, or if deceased, the family/next of kin. Supporting material in the way of newspaper clippings, letters from witnesses, nominee’s standard of involvement, etc. Not more than 10 sheets in total. All submissions must be received prior to April 30.

All completed submissions will be reviewed with a maximum of three inductees being added each year regardless of category. Incomplete nomination forms will be returned for further information and may not be eligible for the current year’s consideration. If a nominator is unsuccessful in any given calendar year, they may request feedback from the Committee and consider resubmission for the following nomination period. Only persons or teams meeting the criteria shall be eligible for selection.

All eligible nominee applications not selected for the induction may be reconsidered for four more years. The Committee may contact the nominator via email or letter seeking additional information in subsequent application periods.

In all cases of nominations rejected by the Committee, letters will be sent via email to the nominator by the Committee, explaining the procedure and asking if there is any additional information that may be relevant to help with the nomination process.

Any nominations submitted that do not meet eligibility criteria will receive a letter sent via email from the Committee to confirm receipt of the nomination and clarify ineligibility.

All nomination files will be retained by the Town for any historical information that they may contain. No files will be destroyed unless written request is submitted to the Town of St. Marys by the nominator or nominee.

No sitting member of the Committee shall be considered for election into the Sports Hall of Fame.

All decisions related to the exclusion or removal of an inductee to the Sports Wall of Fame made by Council will be final. 

Inductees must have demonstrated sportsmanship, integrity, and respect for their sport and community during and after their competitive career.

Inductees with conduct that conflicts with the values of their governing sport body, the values of the Sports Wall of Fame Recognition Program as described in this policy, or the values of the Town of St. Marys (as described in Council Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards, and the complementary legislation), may be deemed ineligible or considered for removal. Representatives from the Recreation and Leisure Advisory Committee may bring forward exclusion or removal recommendations to municipal Council for review, should the need arise.

Induction into the Sports Wall of Fame is an honour – not a lifetime guarantee. The Recreation and Leisure Advisory Committee has the right to recommend to Council to revoke an induction. Council for the Town of St. Marys has the right to deny and revoke induction when necessary to protect the integrity of its values and reputation.

Categories shall be broken down into teams, athletes and builders. The following explains each classification:

Teams

The team must have demonstrated outstanding performance or success in competition, such as championships, record-setting seasons, notable tournaments or playoff achievements, sustained excellence over a significant period of time, or won a recognized provincial (i.e., OMHA/OWHA, OHA, OBA, OTAWHA, Ontario Summer Games, etc.), national (i.e., Canada Summer Games, U SPORTS, Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, etc.), or international Championship (i.e., Olympic Games, Pan-Am Games, etc.), achieved noteworthy professional success, or have made a significant and unique contribution to the history or heritage of sport in St. Marys. The team must be from St. Marys. Only one picture of a team will be used. That way all their success will be captured in their application and identified on the Wall of Fame. If a “team” has been successfully recognized for an achievement, an individual team member may not be nominated for that same achievement unless additional, significant achievements have occurred. Teams will be considered 10 years after their accomplishment.

Athletes

An athlete is an individual from St. Marys, played for or brought fame to St. Marys who has excelled in one or more sports with distinction. Achievements may include championships, records, awards, rankings, or significant competitive success (i.e., participation in Provincial, National, or International competitions). Amateur and professional athletes are included in this category. Individuals who have played for teams outside our area and have won Provincial, National, or International Championships will be considered under this category. There will be a two-year period of inactivity in the area for which they have been nominated before being considered, this is to ensure that they have retired and that all their successes will be captured. Certain extenuating circumstances may alter consideration (i.e., terminal illness, etc.).

Builders

To be considered under the builders category, individuals or organizations must meet the following description: originated in St. Marys; played for or brought fame to St. Marys; or supported St. Marys teams or sport organizations. Builders must have contributed to sport in a non-athlete capacity, including but not limited to coaching, officiating, administration or governance, facility development, program creation, volunteer leadership, other roles that have significantly advanced sport within the community or beyond. Contributions must demonstrate long-term, sustained service; impact on athlete development, participation, or sport excellence; leadership that elevated their sport at the local, regional, provincial, nationals, or international level. Builders may be nominated if they are still active if they have dedicated at least 25 years of service. If they are no longer active, they must have served a minimum of 25 years. Certain extenuating circumstances may alter considerations (i.e., terminal illness etc.).

For each inductee (athlete, team, or builder) a photo will be displayed on the physical and virtual Sports Wall of Fame. A condensed biography of individuals and teams awarded will accompany the photo.

The Recreation and Leisure Advisory Committee Terms of Reference will serve as the direction for this committee.  The annually appointed Chair will present the inductees with an award at an induction ceremony annually.

The Committee will promote and encourage nominations for the Sports Wall of Fame. The Committee will review all eligible nominations received and select a maximum of three annually. 

1. All submissions must be accompanied by at least one appropriate photograph:
2. All research and information gathered is the responsibility of the nominator.
3. Attach all copies of articles from newspapers, programs, etc., with names and dates if possible.
4. Complete all pages of the Nomination Form including the Nominee Consent Form. Please type or print clearly.
5. If you choose to submit a hard copy of the Nomination Application, mail or deliver completed applications and all attachments to:

   Recreation and Leisure Advisory Committee
   c/o Town of St. Marys
   Pyramid Recreation Centre
   317 James Street South
   St. Marys, ON N4X 1B6

6. The annual deadline for submission nominations will be April 30.
7. If the nomination is accepted, both the nominator and nominee (or a representative) will be contacted directly.

Submissions will not be returned, so where possible, please submit digital files (scans or originals) or photocopies as appropriate.

Born in St. Marys in 1880, Riley Hern achieved incredible success as a hockey player in Canada and the United States. Hern played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association in the late 1890’s and developed his skills as a forward and goaltender. Following his junior hockey career, he transitioned to professional play in both the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League and International Professional Hockey League.

In the 1906 season Hern joined the Montreal Wanderers hockey club in Quebec. During his time with the Wanderers, the team won the prestigious Stanley Cup four times in 1906, 1907, 1908, and again in 1910. As a reflection of his success in the sport, Hern was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962 and has been listed among the greatest goaltenders of all time by veteran hockey writers and fellow athletes.

The Montreal Wanderers were the first hockey club to win the Stanley Cup? The 1907 winners had their names engraved in the interior bowl of the cup, a permanent fixture on the trophy. ​

Each year, the National Hockey League (NHL) champions are awarded the Stanley Cup trophy at the end of a grueling multi-series playoff season. Modern teams see their names added to silver bands at the base of the cup, which are systematically archived at the Hockey Hall of Fame as new winners are awarded the trophy each season. Riley Hern and the Montreal Wanderers of 1907 remain the only team to hold a permanent place in the historic cup.

The 1907 Montreal Wanderers are forever etched in history as the first winners of Lord Stanley’s Cup. Pictured here, Riley Hern, goaltender and St. Marys native, is listed third from the bottom on the left-hand side.

Mark first registered with St. Marys Minor Hockey at age 4 and continued representing the Town locally until graduating to the Junior B league.​

He represented St. Marys playing travel (Rep) hockey from Novice through Bantam winning an Ontario Zone Championship in the 89/90 season and the International Silver Stick title in the 94/95 season, his last in St. Marys. Subsequently, Mark moved on to Play Jr. B with the Stratford Cullitons for the 95/96 Season.​

Following the 95/96 season Mark was drafted in the first round of the OHL draft (15th) by the Ottawa 67s. Mark played 4 seasons (212 games) in the OHL for Ottawa, averaging nearly a point per game, scoring 105 Goals and 102 assists. His OHL career was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the 67’s in the 98/99 season.

Mark first registered with St. Marys Minor Hockey at age 4 and continued representing the Town locally until graduating to the Junior B league.​

He represented St. Marys playing travel (Rep) hockey from Novice through Bantam winning an Ontario Zone Championship in the 89/90 season and the International Silver Stick title in the 94/95 season, his last in St. Marys. Subsequently, Mark moved on to Play Jr. B with the Stratford Cullitons for the 95/96 Season.​

Following the 95/96 season Mark was drafted in the first round of the OHL draft (15th) by the Ottawa 67s. Mark played 4 seasons (212 games) in the OHL for Ottawa, averaging nearly a point per game, scoring 105 Goals and 102 assists. His OHL career was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the 67’s in the 98/99 season.

Mark played 4 full seasons with the Blackhawks between 2002 – 2006 with the 04/05 lost lockout season interrupting back-to-back 20 goal campaigns. He scored his first goal in his rookie season against Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalanche on October 21, 2001. In the Summer of 2006 Mark was traded to the San Jose Sharks where he played another full season. Following that, Mark was moved up and down through both the AHL and NHL playing games for the Toronto Maples Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks. He finished his NHL career with 450 games played, 87 goals 95 assists for 182 points and 602 penalty minutes. Before his retirement at the end of the 2016 season, Mark had played over 800 professional games during his 16 seasons as a professional hockey player.

Dale grew up playing fastball in St. Marys and area and moved on to play over 20 years (1995 - 2016) of competitive men’s fastball reaching the pinnacle in 2009 when he played at the International Softball Federation Championships on team Canada Winning a bronze medal in Saskatoon.​

He played at the ISC level on many teams including the Owen Sounds Selects, Midland Explorers, Kitchener Hallman Twins, Saskatoon Aspen Interiors, New York Gremlins, and Hill United Chiefs.​

Dale won 3 World Championships at the Men’s ISC level of play with the Hill United Chiefs in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Dale represented St. Marys in many tournaments on many different teams through the years and won several awards and accolades, but he never forgot his hometown roots. Dale was dedicated to the sport of fastball, he worked hard and built upon his talent to be one of the best players in the world. He was best known for his amazing throwing arm; often throwing from centre field all the way to home plate to out a runner, and he was always a homerun threat when up to bat. Dale was an amazing teammate covering whatever role he was asked to play by his coaches and was always present to support his teammates. His longevity as a player and remarkable success in the sport are a testament to those strengths. Since retiring from fastball in 2016, Dale now enjoys coaching his son and training young ball players his craft.

Special Awards & Recognition​

2002 – NAFA World Championship MVP in Salem, Oregon​

2004 – All Star Outfielder at the Canadian Championships in St. Croix, Nova Scotia​

2005 – Hall of Fame induction to the Softball Canada Hall of Fame with the Owen Sound Selects Team​

2006 – Top Player at the Canadian Championships in Prince George, British Columbia​

2007 – All Star Outfielder at Canadian Championships in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador​

2008 – All Star Outfielder at Canadian Championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan​

2009 – Bronze Medal recipient at World ISF with Team Canada in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan​

2011 – All Star Outfielder and Top Batter at the Canadian Championships in Owen Sound, Ontario​

2016 – Inducted into the OASA Hall of Fame with the Owen Sound Selects (2000)

A contender in any sport he picks up, Rick Fifield is synonymous with sporting success in the St. Marys community. Rick moved to town at 15 years old to play for the Lincolns and hasn’t stopped since. He has won a multitude of awards and achieved impressive feats in golf, hockey, and other sports. 

Mike Craig’s hockey career originated in St. Marys playing for the local house league and representative teams. He achieved great success from a young age as a member of the local PeeWee team that won both the International Silver Stick and Provincial championship titles in the same year. As Mike grew and developed through the minor hockey rankings, he was eventually drafted to the Ontario Hockey league (OHL), where he played multiple seasons with the highly ranked Oshawa Generals. During Mike’s tenure with the team they won the coveted Canadian Hockey League (CHL) championship trophy, the Memorial Cup in 1990.

Just one year prior to the Generals success on the national stage, Mike had a rather impressive year as an individual! He was drafted 28th overall in the second round of the National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft by the Minnesota North Stars in 1989. Around the same time, Mike made his first appearance on a national junior team roster as a member of the Canadian team that won the gold medal in the 1990 World Junior Hockey competition hosted in Finland. After an impressive showing at his first appearance, Mike found his way onto the national team player list a second time, this time securing gold on home soil in the 1991 World Junior Hockey championships hosted in Saskatchewan. Mike was named to the 1st team all-star list for the tournament that year.

In his first NHL appearance, Mike joined the Minnesota North Stars as a right winger. He played with the four NHL franchises (Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks) over the course of 423 NHL games. In the years following Mike would see professional ice time in various IHL (International Hockey League) and the AHL (American Hockey League) franchises. During that time, he was chosen to the AHL all-star teams in 2000 and 2002, being honoured as MVP in 2002. Mike continued his professional hockey career playing internationally for 11 seasons. Most notably with Vienna and Klagenfurt of the Austrian Hockey League where he won the league championship in the 2004-2005 and 2008-2009 seasons, respectively. Mike also had the privilege of donning the Canadian Maple Leaf again representing his home country again at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland winning consecutive championships in 2003 and 2004.

After retiring from active play, Mike continued to be involved in ice hockey. He transitioned to a coaching role with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for four seasons and is currently employed as the Midwest amateur scout for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League.

Robert Ferris Stewart’s involvement with hockey in St. Marys began as a volunteer coach in 1951 and continued through 1982, sometimes two teams in a single season. In addition to his contributions as a house league coach during early seasons, he went on to coach the St. Marys Cement Midget All Stars from 1957 – 1968, and from 1972 – 1982 garnering a great deal of success along the way. He had a successful run as head coach of the St. Marys Lincolns from 1967 – 1971.

When Ferris retired from the Cement Plant in 1982, he retired from coaching – not because he wanted to rest – but because he wanted to give younger people the opportunity to coach. He remained a regular participant in Minor Hockey meetings as a Life Member.

As well as coaching the Midget All Stars, Ferris volunteered as manager of the St. Marys Lincolns for two seasons before being approached by team executives to step in as the head coach. He coached the St. Marys Lincolns from 1967 through 1971 and even reached Ontario semi-finals in his first season. Following his last season with the Lincolns Ferris was asked to coach the St. Marys Pee Wee All Stars and rather than take the year off, he happily accepted the position. ​

Pat Payton covered the sports scene in St. Marys and area for 40 years. He officially retired on Dec. 31, 2022, after working 35 years for the Journal-Argus and his final five years at the St. Marys Independent. He was proud to start Sports Sections at both newspapers.

During his newspaper career, Payton’s St. Marys Sports Sections twice finished in first place in CCNA Canada-wide competitions. Another year, his Sports Section also placed second overall nationally.​

He won several provincial awards (first place) for his submitted Sports Sections in OCNA (Ontario) competitions as well.

Affectionately known by many as ‘Scoop’, Payton was honoured at centre ice at the PRC by the Town of St. Marys and the Jr. ‘B’ Lincolns on the night of Dec. 16, 2022. He received a framed Lincs’ jersey from the Lincolns organization and a signed print from the players, a jacket from the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, as well as a Certificate of Appreciation and honourary key to the Town from St. Marys mayor Al Strathdee. ​

Perth-Wellington MP John Nater made a surprise appearance that night and presented Pat with a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin.​

​A large banner was also presented to Payton that night as well. On the banner are six local sports organizations that he covered over four decades. They included the Lincolns, St. Marys minor hockey, minor ball and ringette, high school sports, and the area golf courses.

The Ontario provincial elimination tournament was hosted in St. Marys in July of 1988. The Creamery Juniors were lucky to play in this tournament in front of a full capacity hometown crowd of supporters. They went 9-1 at the Ontario eliminations tournament in July 1988, which qualified them for the upcoming Canadian National Championship in Lloydminster, Alberta as that season’s Ontario Provincial champions.

The 1988 St. Marys Creamery Juniors are the only St. Mays team to date to ever win a Canadian championship, capturing the national title undefeated in Lloydminster, Alberta in August 1988. The Juniors went to a perfect 7-0 at the week-long tournament, outscoring their opponents from across the country 45-15, and leaving no doubt who the best and most dominant team was.

Players

Peter Bodenham​
Paul Bushfield​
Marc Cameron​
Dave Doyan​
Jim Elder​
Andy Gibb​
Brad Hondrich
​Paul Horenburg
Doug Levy ​
Lonnie Loach​
Tony McEwan​
Scott Shackleton
​Greg Snyder​
Derek Switzer
​Keith Traquair​
Chris Turner
​Ron White 

Staff

Ron Marriott (Manager)​
Brian Dundas (Coach)
​Richard Kennedy (Assistant Coach)
​Lois Moir (Assistant Coach)​
John Urquhart (Assistant Coach)​
Bentley Dundas (Bat Boy)​
Jason Marriott (Bat Boy)

The 1962-1963 St. Marys Lincolns were the first local Junior B team to accomplish the incredible feat of winning the Ontario Hockey Association Championship. The club made history bringing the first OHA Championship to the town; an achievement that the players, executive, staff, and fans were very proud of.

A team of 18 players persevered through a long 35-game regular season finishing at the top of the Western League with an impressive 28 and 7 record amassing a notable 56 points. This positioned the team to play a best of seven series against the third-ranked team hailing from Tillsonburg. The Lincolns swept the series with four straight wins against the Mavericks, pitting them against the St. Thomas Barons for the final seven game series. In a hotly contested matchup, the Lincolns and Barons each won their respective home games, bringing the championship match back to St. Marys. The Lincolns were dominant in that match and took the group playoffs trophy with a convincing 7-1 win.

Following the Western League championship, the Lincolns were pitted against Central league champions, and their old rivals, the Waterloo Siskins for another series. The Lincolns were dominant once again, winning 4 of 5 games played, most notably playing their final game in a sudden-death overtime with the game winning goal scored by Jackie Nairn.

A highlight of the next series against the opposing Border Cities Group champions, the Detroit Junior Red Wings, was playing that the Detroit Olympia Stadium, home of the NHL Red Wings franchise. The Lincolns made quick work of the series and won in another 4-game sweep.

While the Lincolns were occupied with elimination of Waterloo and Detroit, their counterparts in Eastern Ontario, the Kingston Frontenacs, had defeated Burlington and Toronto Lakeshore brining them to the provincial final. The home team St. Marys Lincolns were victorious again, winning the final series in only six matches. In a familiar Friday night matchup, the Lincolns closed out the series in only six matches, winning 5-4 in the championship game. Following the final buzzer, hometown fans rushed the ice to celebrate the accomplishment. The enthusiasm and exuberance displayed in the celebrations that weekend were certainly a highlight for all and a testament to the team’s accomplishments.

The sitting club president at the time, David R. Stevens put it best:

“I wish to congratulate each and every member of the club on this past season’s championship performance, and my very best wishes for future success to you in both your future hockey endeavours and your personal life. I trust that in the future you will have many pleasant memories of the 1962-1963 hockey season when the Lincoln’s were All-Ontario O.H.A. Jr. B Champions.”