Pat Flatley

Toronto-born Pat Flatley had the good fortune to grow up in Etobicoke. He began his hockey career playing in the OHA for the Henry Carr Crusaders. From there, he played for two seasons for the University of Wisconsin.

A valuable, hard-working right-winger who could both score and check, he was chosen by the New York Islanders in 1982, but first went on to help the Badgers win the NCAA crown in 1983 and be named to the WCHA first all-star team, NCAA West first-all-American team and the NCAA championship all-star team.

The next season, he scored 4 goals in seven games to help Canada win bronze at the ‘83 World Junior Championships, and later that season won bronze with the senior team at the Worlds.

He spent the following year on the National team, scoring 31 goals in 57 games. He helped Canada reach fourth at the Sarajevo Olympics, scoring twice in the 4-3 win over Czechoslovakia.

He finished the season with the Islanders, getting nine points in 16 games and then scoring 9 goals in 21 games as the team fought to retain the Stanley Cup.

Pat played twelve straight years with the Islanders after that, emerging as a team leader. His most spectacular night was at the Maple Leaf Gardens where he scored 4 times in front of his delighted family, for an Islanders’ win, 5-4.

He played one more season, for the New York Rangers, before retiring. For the last three years he and his family are living once again in Etobicoke.

Sheilagh Croxon

Sheilagh Croxon never set out to become a world-renowned synchronized swimming coach and advocate for female participation in coaching programs.

Growing up in Scarborough as the middle child between two brothers, Sheilagh was the original “water baby”. By the time she was ten she switched from speed swimming to synchronized swimming, where she discovered a passion that would last a lifetime!

Sheilagh’s synchro career began with the Aquamaids in Leaside, but really took off when she started training at Etobicoke’s Olympium. By the time she was 18, Sheilagh had discovered that training other people was more fulfilling to her than competing. She began to coach at Olympium, working with girls just a few years younger than she was while continuing her university studies.

In just a short time, Sheilagh’s swimmers began to win national titles. After formalizing her coaches training through the Coaching Association of Canada, Sheilagh returned to Olympium to help build its synchro program into one of national prominence.

There was no stopping her…in her mid-twenties, Sheilagh was appointed the head coach of Canada’s National Junior Team. And in 1996, Sheilagh coached the Canadian Olympic synchro team to a silver medal finish in Atlanta. Four years later, Sheilagh became coach and choreographer for Canada at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where her swimmers captured a bronze medal.

By then, Sheilagh was also synchronized with her home team, including her husband Jean Constantin, son Nicolas and daughter Natalie. She stepped down as a coach in 2002 after the birth of daughter Marley, now seven and in Grade 2 at Etobicoke’s Millwood Public School.

In 2007, Sheilagh returned to coaching at the grassroots level, and in her two years at the helm of the Granite Club Synchro team, she has led the club to unprecedented provincial and national success.

Today, Sheilagh’s coaching expertise is sought by synchro organizations and clubs all over the world. She is a passionate advocate for female participation in the coaching profession and currently acts as a consultant to the Coaching Association of Canada, working to increase the number of women coaches in Canada.

Scott Stoneburgh

Scott Stoneburgh’s journey from tennis prodigy to squash champion exemplifies the power of resilience, passion, and a supportive community in shaping athletic success and personal growth.

Despite early success in tennis, Stoneburgh found himself drawn to squash due to its vibrant community and camaraderie. Introduced to the sport at a young age, he quickly excelled, honing his skills through rigorous training and competition against top players. Stoneburgh credits his coaches for instilling in him valuable life lessons, including the importance of competition, teamwork, and composure under pressure.

During his collegiate years at the University of Western Ontario, Stoneburgh emerged as a dominant force in Canadian squash, leading his team to multiple championships and earning recognition for his on-court prowess and leadership. Mentored by legendary coaches and surrounded by supportive teammates, he thrived both athletically and academically, graduating with invaluable life experiences and skills.

As a professional doubles squash player, Stoneburgh reached the pinnacle of his sport, forming successful partnerships and achieving notable victories on the international stage. His strategic acumen, dynamic playing style, and unwavering determination propelled him to the top ranks of professional squash, where he earned respect and admiration from peers and fans alike.

Transitioning to coaching at Cornell University, Stoneburgh continued to make a significant impact, guiding his teams to newfound success and fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork. Drawing upon his own experiences as a player and mentee, he imparted invaluable lessons to his students, helping them unlock their full potential on and off the court.

Beyond his achievements in squash, Stoneburgh’s enduring love for competition and commitment to excellence remain unwavering. Whether on the court or in his professional endeavors, he continues to embrace challenges with gusto, driven by a relentless pursuit of greatness and a deep-seated passion for the game.

As he reflects on his journey, Stoneburgh remains grateful for the opportunities and relationships forged through squash, recognizing the profound impact the sport has had on his life. With a growing family and a thriving career in real estate, he remains an active participant in the squash community, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Sandy Hawley

The young Sandy Hawley was once described as “a hovercraft on horseback” as he created his own distinctive, winning style. He began as a groom, then progressed to exercise boy. Eventually, he fulfilled his dream to ride in races.

Rating a horse and communication were always Sandy’s strong suits. These skills helped him to 515 victories, breaking a record which had stood for two decades.

During his jockey career, Sandy won the Queen’s Plate four times: 1970, 1971, 1975, and 1978. He is in the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame. To his credit, he has received the Lou Marsh Trophy, as Canada’s best athlete in 1973 and 1976. He was given the Eclipse Award as North America’s top jockey, and the Order of Canada, both in 1976, and the Sovereign Award as Canada’s best jockey, in 1978 and 1988.

Since his retirement from riding, Sandy made plans for a career in broadcasting and public relations with the Ontario Jockey Club.

Johnny Bower

The Toronto Maple Leafs have seen a legion of spectacular goaltenders stand tall in the crease, but none more outstanding or notable than Johnny Bower.

“I played my heart out with the Leafs,” said Bower, after ending his thirty year association with them in 1990. “I think that only once out of the 11 years did we fail to make the playoffs.”

The native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and long time Etobicoke resident joined the Leafs in 1958 after being picked up by the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey league. Even though he didn’t make it to the NHL until the age of 34, Bower played 11 seasons with Toronto before retiring in 1970.

Bower was rescued from the minors by Leaf coach Billy Reay, long after he figured that his dream of playing as an NHL regular was over. He started more than 500 games in goal, posting 37 shutouts. He finished his career with a sparkling 2.52 goals against average.

But it was his playoff record that is most outstanding. Bower was in the Leafs goal when they won four Stanley Cups, including their last one in 1967.

In 1976 Johnny Bower was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame – the ultimate tribute to his skill and perseverance.

“Of all the people who are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, there is none more worthy than Johnny Bower,” said the legendary Leaf King Clancy. “He has been one of the most honest and conscientious hockey players ever. And he is in a class by himself as a person.”

Kelly Gruber

Twenty-five years before the exploits of Josh Donaldson, another long-haired third baseman with a penchant for getting his uniform dirty inspired Blue Jays fans to leave their seats and cheer his latest big hit or highlight-reel play.

Kelly Gruber, who lived in Etobicoke during his time with the Blue Jays, quickly became a fan favourite, helped by his flowing blonde hair and his fearless play at the hot corner. As a mainstay of the Jays lineup in the late 1980s and early 90s, Gruber had many moments of triumph on the diamond. But it is a play that officially didn’t happen that carved out his enduring place in Toronto sports history.

In the fourth inning of Game 3 of the 1992 World Series, Devon White made a sensational leaping catch against the centre field wall to rob Atlanta’s David Justice of extra bases. “Devon went back and made a catch that made Willie Mays’ catch look like child’s play,” Gruber recalled. Thinking the ball was going to drop, Atlanta runner Terry Pendleton took off from first, inadvertently passing his teammate, Deion Sanders, who was watching the play from second base.

Pendleton was automatically out, but the Blue Jays doubled him off first base anyway. First baseman John Olerud then fired the ball to Gruber, who ran Sanders back toward second base and dove, tagging him on the ankle. That tag—seemingly confirmed by video replay—would have completed only the second triple play in World Series history. But umpire Bob Davidson ruled that Gruber’s glove hadn’t grazed Sanders’ cleat, and despite Gruber’s protestations, the call stood.

Adding injury to insult was that Gruber tore his rotator cuff while lunging to tag Sanders. When he trotted off the field he could barely lift his arm more than six inches, but four innings later, Gruber electrified the SkyDome by clubbing an adrenaline-fuelled home run to tie the game.

The Jays went on to win that game and the series, bringing the championship banner north of the border for the first time. “That’s what every child plays for. To have that come true is just remarkable. There’s not much that compares to that,” Gruber said of Toronto’s World Series win, which took the sting out of not getting the triple play call. “I would trade all that in any day for that ring, and that’s what we won.”

The title was sweet, but Gruber’s all-out style of play had already endeared him to Toronto fans. Drafted tenth overall by the Cleveland Indians in 1980, the Blue Jays claimed Gruber in the 1983 Rule 5 draft. The Texan came to Toronto with the best mullet this side of MacGyver and the raw tools to succeed in the big leagues.

One of the knocks on Gruber as a minor leaguer with Cleveland was his defense. Playing shortstop for Batavia of the New York-Penn League, Gruber made 21 errors in 61 games and hit just .217. Batavia coach Luis Isaac suggested Gruber’s quick reflexes made him better suited for third base. But that position switch didn’t happen for three seasons, during which time Gruber’s hitting suffered along with his glove work and he began to doubt that he would ever make it to the majors.

A pessimistic report from Gruber’s Double-A manager prompted the Indians to leave him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. The Blue Jays, with Garth Iorg and Rance Mulliniks platooning at third, jumped at the chance to bring in the raw yet talented youngster, who had impressed Al LaMacchia when the Toronto scout saw him play at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. “Gruber just stood out,” LaMacchia remembered. “You knew you were dealing with a tremendous athlete. The way he fielded. Nice soft hands. The arm. The way he hit. His stroke. It was all there, and he was just a kid.”

Gruber gets his athletic ability from his father, Claude King, an NFL and CFL running back, and his looks from his mother, Gloria, a former Miss Texas and recording artist who later married David Gruber. Gruber called his adoptive father an inspiration, saying David practiced sports with him every day and provided young Kelly with a good example of how to handle himself on the diamond and in life.

After an uneventful cup of coffee with the Jays to start the 1984 season, Gruber was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse, returning to the big club in September and collecting his first major-league hit by launching a home run over the Green Monster at Boston’s Fenway Park.

On April 16, 1989, Gruber made Blue Jays history when he hit for the cycle, recording a home run, double and triple before completing the feat with a bloop single in the bottom of the eighth inning, much to the delight of 35,000 fans at Exhibition Stadium, who gave him a standing ovation. Gruber drove in six runs and scored four times that day in a rout of the Kansas City Royals. “The cycle was very special, even though I didn’t know what the cycle was,” Gruber told Sportsnet’s Kristina Rutherford in 2014. “And thank goodness I didn’t because I’d have probably choked it. But I found out I hit for the cycle after my last hit, when I was on first.”

Coincidentally, Gruber was at SkyDome in 2001 when Jeff Frye hit for the second cycle in Blue Jays history. A smiling Gruber came onto the field after Frye’s fourth hit and gave the Toronto utility player a congratulatory hug. “For it

Steve Ludzik

Steve Ludzik is a born and bred Etobicoker. He has played in the National Hockey League, coached in the National Hockey League, became a TV personality and has just penned a book appropriately entitled “Steve Ludzik – Been There, Done That”.

Born in Etobicoke in 1961, Steve’s father put his son on the ice when he was just three years old, and he’s never looked back! Ludzik learned to skate at the Lakeshore Arena in New Toronto and has the unique distinction of leading the MTHL in scoring from the age of 10 until he was 15.

Serious illness and injuries could not stop the determined Ludzik as he embarked on an extremely productive junior career with the Niagara Falls Flyers. In 2009, he would be honoured by fans of the Flyers, along with Derek Sanderson, as the greatest Flyer of all time!

In 1980 Ludzik was drafted 28th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks and spent nine years with them. He then embarked on a successful coaching career which saw him climb back to the NHL as Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Steve subsequently turned his talents to TV and is recognized as one of the most colourful “tell it like it is” commentators on the air. His book “Been There, Done That” promises to be a hockey classic!

Steve has been married for 25 years to wife Mary Ann. They have two boys – 23 year old Stephen is a university student at Brock, and 21 year old Ryan is a goalie in the Central League with Tulsa.

Red Kelly

One of Red Kelly’s earliest hockey memories as a child growing up in Simcoe, Ontario, is playing hockey on the open-air ponds “a few miles to the cedar swamp by the tracks.”

He went on to play for St. Michael’s College School from 1943 to 1947, and played on the winning Memorial Cup Team in 1946-47.

In the 1950s, while playing for the Detroit Red Wings, he won four Stanley Cup Championships and was elected to eight All-Star teams. He won the Lady Bing trophy three times and in 1954 was chosen as the first recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy for outstanding defenseman in the league.

In the 1960s, Red played forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs and won four more Stanley Cup Championships, another Lady Byng Trophy and the Lady Bickle Award.

Red was elected and served two terms as a member of Parliament (MP) representing York West. In 1964 he represented the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson, at the Tokyo Olympics, and later at the World Congress on Recreation at Osaka.

Red became the first coach of the L.A.Kings, winning the Sportsman’s Award, “Athlete of the Half Century” in 1967. He went onto be Coach and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins and later coached the Toronto Maple Leafs for four years.

Red was elected to the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame in 1969, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, the Detroit Red Wings Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.

In 1980 he was honoured with the Encyclopedia Britannica’s Achievement in Life Award for Achievement in Sports and in 1989 Red was the recipient of the Canadian Society of New York Sports Award. In 2002 Red received the Order of Canada.

After retiring from hockey, Red founded and served as President of CAMP Systems of Canada from 1977 to 1997.

Red and his wife, Andra McLaughlin Kelly, a former World Free Skating Champion, current live in Toronto. They have four children and four grandchildren.

Paul Henderson

Paul Henderson’s legendary goal on September 28, 1972, during the Summit Series between Team Canada and the Soviet Union, remains etched in the memory of Canadians nationwide. Whether they were in a classroom, at home, or at work, many Canadians vividly recall where they were when “The Goal” was scored.

As a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the time, Henderson’s seventh goal in eight games secured an astonishing series victory for Team Canada against the formidable Soviets. Foster Hewitt’s iconic commentary immortalized the moment as he described the play leading to Henderson’s goal, capturing the excitement and euphoria of the fans and team alike.

Despite Henderson’s impressive 13-season career in the NHL, where he showcased his exceptional skating and shooting skills, it is “The Goal” that remains his enduring legacy. However, despite the fame and recognition brought by his performance in the Summit Series, Henderson found true happiness a few years later when he became a born-again Christian.

Since then, Henderson has dedicated his life to spreading the message of faith as a member of Campus Crusade for Christ, sharing his experiences and insights with businessmen and students alike. Reflecting on his childhood dreams, Henderson humorously recalls dreaming of scoring the “big goal” in the Stanley Cup, never imagining facing off against the Russians in his dreams.

Paul Henderson’s journey from hockey icon to devoted Christian speaker exemplifies the transformative power of faith and highlights the depth of his character beyond his athletic achievements.

Phil Marchildon

Phil Marchildon’s story is one of triumph, both on and off the playing fields, spanning from rural Ontario to Toronto and Philadelphia. Born on October 25, 1913, in the small Georgian Bay community of Penetanguishene, Marchildon’s journey to the Major Leagues was unconventional.

He didn’t start playing organized baseball until high school and spent several years in semi-professional leagues in Ontario before catching the attention of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1940. Despite his unorthodox sidearm delivery, Marchildon proved to be a formidable pitcher, winning 10 games in 1941 and 17 in 1942 for the Athletics.

Remarkably, despite his relatively small stature at 5 feet 11 inches and 170 pounds, Marchildon was able to throw the ball with impressive velocity, reportedly reaching speeds of up to 95 mph. He honed his skills, particularly his fastball and curveball, through countless hours of practice behind the Penetanguishene barber shop.

In 1942, Marchildon’s baseball career was interrupted when he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a tail gunner and was shot down over the English Channel. He was subsequently captured by the Germans and spent time as a prisoner of war in Stalag 13, the infamous camp later depicted in the film “The Great Escape.”

Returning to Canada in 1945, Marchildon faced an uncertain future in baseball, having lost weight and strength during his time as a POW. Determined to resume his career, he spent the winter skiing to strengthen his legs. Remarkably, he made a successful comeback with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1946, winning 13 games and pitching 226 innings.

The following season, 1947, proved to be Marchildon’s best, as he won 19 games while only losing 9. Throughout his career with the Athletics, he amassed a record of 68 wins and 75 losses, with a respectable 3.93 earned run average.

Marchildon’s resilience and dedication to the sport earned him induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, cementing his legacy as one of Canada’s most accomplished baseball players.