May 18, 2025

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

In writing about the Arniel family and its place in Kingston sporting circles, someone suggested ... why not rank Kingston’s most important sporting families.

We tried to set a ground rule of having two or more inductees into the Kingston and District Hall of Fame and went from there.

We grew up in Kingston and left for Ottawa in 1973 … these rankings might be a bit tilted to the older generation. Like anything else, we did have help -- from historian and Kingston treasure Mark Potter, author Paul Murphy former Kingscourt bantam all-star and John (Nothing but Net) Sutton.

=======================================================

Elliott: The Arniel family has deep roots in Kingston sporting circles

=======================================================

Please don’t get angry with any of them -- they made suggestions ... the order is all mine.

The top 10 most influential sporting families in Kingston

1. The Cherry family

Del Cherry, an outfielder with the Kingston Ponies, voted best athlete from 1900-1950 in a Kingston Whig-Standard poll, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Don Cherry, co-host of Coach’s Corner, 1986-2019, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, voted as the seventh-greatest Canadian of all time in the CBC miniseries The Greatest Canadian in 2004, played one game with Boston Bruins, played 18 years in minors, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Dick Cherry, played three seasons in the NHL with the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, played nine years in the minors, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Tim Cherry, producer Don Cherry’s Grapevine Podcast, writer and executive producer “Keep Your Head Up Kid,” “Wrath of Grapes” Don Cherry’s “Rock’em Sock’em Hockey,” Saving God, producer 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.

Cindy Cherry, author, The Don Cherry Story.

Former 2B Bobby Gilmour at the keyboard …

2. The Gilmour family

Don Gilmour, a silky smooth first baseman both in baseball and softball, as well as a respected sandlot coach (best coach I ever had, next to my father) and hockey coach, played for Bill (Squeak) Reason's 1948 Juvenile A team with Don Keeleyside and Jack (Gabb) White, Kingston did not win another OBA minor title until the 1971 Kingston Midgets coached by Arnie (Ol’ Hickory) Jarrell, that won the Midget A title.

Bob Gilmour, a second baseman for the Kingston Ponies winning Eastern Ontario Baseball Association and Ontario Baseball Association championship teams, reached nationals in Edmunston N.B. in 1973, coached Vogelzang Insurance Ponies to EOBA Championship four years in a row from 1980 to 1983 and guided Kingston to OBA senior title in 1993, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

David Gilmour, played in WHA with Calgary Cowboys, played six years in the minors, was a feared slugging centre fielder in the EOBA and the Northern New York State league for the Ponies, reaching the 1973 nationals in Edmunston, N.B.

Doug Gilmour, played 20 years in the NHL with Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, 2011, Frank J. Selke Trophy, 1992-93, Stanley Cup winner, 1989 Calgary Flames, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Patrick Gilmour, also a smooth fielding first baseman, coached the Kingston Ponies, like his pop Bob.

Andrew Gilmour, a shortstop with the Ponies, made his college debut last fall with the Dalhousie University Tigers.

3. The Cook family

Bill Cook, played 11 seasons for the New York Rangers, was a three-time NHL all-star, two-time runner-up for the Hart Trophy, elected to Hockey Hall of Fame in 1952, Stanley Cup winner in 1928 and 1933, played one year in the minors, played one junior hockey for Kingston Frontenacs, coached teams in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Denver and New York before retiring to Pittsburgh Township, the Cook Brothers Youth Centre beside Megaffin Park is named in honour of brothers Bun and Bill, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee, inaugural class.

Frederick (Bun) Cook, learned to skate on the Rideau River off the Swamp Ward on Rideau Street, played left wing along with his brother Bill, and Frank Boucher, one of the greatest lines in NHL history, acquired nickname “Bun” after a New York writer wrote that he skated “quick as a bunny,” scored 158 goals and added 144 assists in his 10 years with the Rangers, captured Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933, elected to Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995, won the Allan Cup with Sault Ste. Marie in 1923-1924, coached in the AHL and in 19 seasons with Providence and Cleveland won a record seven Calder Cup championships, returned to Kingston in 1957 and was trainer for the Frontenacs in the EPHL from 1959-1963, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

4. The Arniel family

Jimmy (Pop) Arniel, a catcher from 1925 to 1935 for the Kingston Ponies he was a member of the Central Ontario League championship teams in 1925, 1926, 1931 and 1932, and in 1935, was a member of the Ponies club that won the OBA senior championship, the first Kingston team to do so, an outstanding receiver he was a player-coach with the Canadian Locomotive that won four consecutive KBA championships, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Gerry Arniel, a versatile infielder with the Kingston Ponies, won the 1935 OBA championship.

Doug Arniel, a speedy outfielder both in softball and in baseball with the Kingston Ponies, ‘Slugger’ hit a two-run homer with two out in the top of the ninth to secure a 4-3 win in Game 1 of the OBA senior championship.

Scott Arniel, a left winger, he won back-to-back Memorial Cups with the Cornwall Royals, played 11 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres and the Bruins, skated eight more seasons in the minors, coached the Columbus Blue Jackets for two seasons and was an assistant for 14 seasons, current Jets coach, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Steve Arniel, was a steady defenceman at Queen’s, played a lot of top minor hockey and baseball in Kingston.

Sandy and Sue Arneil were both strong high school athletes and played local sports.

Jamie Arniel, a centreman he played one game with the 2011 Stanley Cup championship Bruins, played four seasons in the minors and 12 season playing in Europe.

All-round athlete Charlie (Goose) Pester …

5. The Pester family

Charlie (Goose) Pester, considered one of the city’s best all-around athletes, attended triple-A Toronto Maple Leafs camp, was sent to class-C Burlington, class-D Dubuque and class-D Orlando, attended Toronto Argos’ camp as a punter, scored 90 points for the Kingston Bourdeau Heaters in a 166-82 win over LaFargeville of N.Y. in 1960, his home run clouts to left field at the Cricket Field often smashed against the limestone Court House far beyond the tree line, some of his track and field records at Kingston Collegiate still stand, once we in Ottawa, we spoke to a man, who had just returned from the flag football senior championships. “You’re from Kingston ... ever heard of a guy named Goose Pester?” Only since I was an eight-year-old bat boy, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee. inaugural class.

Allison Pinkerton (Pester) was one of the world’s top competitive trampolinists, a world champion in the 15-18 age group, at the 1980 worlds in Switzerland, was the first woman to complete a double twisting, double-back somersault in competition, in all won 19 Ontario and 12 Canadian championships, five times won provincial senior women’s individual, senior mixed synchro and senior women’s synchro championships in the same year. a seven-time winner of the Ontario Achievement Award for distinguished performance in amateur sport, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

6. The Ferguson family

Lorne Ferguson, played eight seasons with the Bruins, Red Wings and Blackhawks, tied with Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate as 12th in goal scoring -- 20 -- in 1955, coached youth, junior and college hockey, scouts for Blackhawks, a slugger on the ball diamond, when it came time for the inaugural HOF class to be inducted in 1996 only two hockey players were inducted by the acclaimed birthplace of hockey: Bill Cook and Ferguson.

Bob Ferguson played junior for Oshawa, Cornwall and Ottawa 67’s, played four seasons in the minors, coached 27 seasons in the minors winning five Clark Cup championships -- three with Des Moines Buccaneers, two with Sioux City -- in the United States League where he had 517 wins, third most in league history, assistant GM with San Diego Gulls, his 16th season with Anaheim Ducks, Rick Paterson (Kingston, Ont.) former Blackhawk, is the GM, has spent 43 years in hockey, as a player, coach or member of a front office, in seven seasons with the Gulls, helped build teams to a combined 238-164-26-15 record to lead Pacific Division in all-time wins, points (515) and points percentage (.584%, minimum three seasons), led San Diego to four Calder Cup Playoffs appearances, won 2016-17 President’s Award as the AHL Team of the Year, was the assistant GM of the Norfolk Admirals for three seasons (2012-2015), prior to that manned the same position for the Ducks’ prior AHL affiliates, Syracuse Crunch (2010-12) and Iowa Chops (2008-09), spent one season as a college/amateur scout for the Ducks in 2009-10. two-time John Brophy award winner as ECHL Coach of the Year with Florida Everblades in 1999 and 200,

Tim Ferguson played two seasons for the Cornwall Royals, scoring 46 goals in 1985, 10th in the OHL that season, played six years in the minors, four years in Germany.

Brett Ferguson, won three Iowa state championships in high school (two in hockey, one in baseball) including getting the win as RHP in state championship, played a year of junior hockey (USHL) in Des Moines, switched to the diamond again, pitching a year at a junior college, then University of South Carolina-Aiken, earning his degree, returned to Des Moines as an assistant coach. spent the 14 years in the Ducks organization with AHL affiliates in Syracuse (2010-2012), Norfolk (2012-2015) and San Diego (2015-2019). promoted to the NHL team and Anaheim’s video coach from 2019 to 2024, joined Allen (Tex.) Americans, ECHL affiliate of Utah as assistant coach/video coach.

Kim Ferguson played for the Kingston Red Barons women’s hockey team as a 10-year-old, played university hockey and was an excellent softball player.

Ron Earl, left, with former Kingston Ponies teammate Dave Tremblay, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

7. The Earl family

Cliff Earl, one of Kingston’s speediest centre fielders as well as one of the most sure-handed outfielder, long-time coach with Edwards Ford Mustangs in the KBA and Kingston Lakeview Indians, 1967 OBA champions, managed the Kingston Aces hockey team under coach Major Danny McLeod, never swore but had a quick (loud) cutting, tongue, one night at the Cricket Field, he bellowed an insult “who the heck is that?” asked a visiting player. Answered 1B Guy White “Oh, that’s Mr. Cricket ... it’s his field, he can say anything he wants,” Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Ron Earl, the 1967 championship Kingston Lakeview Indians team was comprised of pitchers from five other KBA teams, we asked each pitcher the toughest hitter they had ever faced, all answered Ron Earl, a left-handed hitter he would slap an outside pitch over shortstop, or he would take an inside pitch and pull it to right and he was an excellent bunter, played in the Intercounty league for Stratford from 1969-73, returning home with the eighth highest average (.329) through 1979 behind Dan Jackson (1958-61) and Jim Ridley (1972-75), who both hit .369, had 19 doubles, eight triples, two homers, 57 RBIs, walked 75 times, struck out 35 times, played for the Junior B Frontenacs, the Aces and years of oldtimers hockey, won Ontario 1967 championships on the diamond and on the ice, with Indians and Aces, the Ponies eliminated Brockville, rival Belleville, Little Britain, Oakville and Orilla in the playdowns, the Aces beat the Galt Hornets in seven games in the semi-final, the Woodstock Athletics in the final in five, beat Morrisburg before losing to Drummondville in the Eastern Canada semifinals, played for Doc Wager in 1973, as the Ponies represented Ontario at the Baseball Canada nationals in Edmunston, N.B., runs a charity Alzheimer’s golf tournament every year, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Ken Linseman, Jr. of the highest-scoring family in the history of the OHL.

8. The Linseman family

Ken Linseman, played three seasons for Toronto St. Michael’s, then the Kingston CKLCs and Kingston Merchants, founded the popular Young Nats program.

Ken Linseman, Jr., skated three seasons for the Kingston Canadians in the OHA, scoring 286 points, played one season in the WHA with the Birmingham Bulls and 14 is in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs scoring 256 goals in the NHL, plus 38 in the WHA, played only 38 games in the minors, another season in Italy, scored Cup winning goal in Edmonton, played for coach Doc Wagar in minor hockey went to the Wrigley Cup final in midget, won North American Silver Stick in peewee, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

John Linseman, who played three seasons for the Ottawa ‘67s scoring 243 points, played two years in the minors.

Mike Linseman, played two seasons with Kingston Canadians, scoring seven points.

Steve Linseman, played four seasons of OHA junior with the Belleville Bulls, Brantford Alexanders and Hamilton Steelhawks, scoring 261 points.

Ted Linseman, played in the OHL for four seasons, with the Kingston Canadians, scoring 149 points, so the five brothers became the highest scoring family in OHL history, combining for 946 OHL points, highest total ever in Ontario (only the six Sutter brothers from Red Deer, Alta. had more with 1,007 total points in junior hockey).

UConn Huskies Gerry Besselink, who finished among top 10 in active rebounding.

9. The Besselink family.

Rob Besselink played at St. Lawrence College-Kingston, earned OCAA second team all-star honors in 1982-83.

Gerry Besselink, a graduate of the Knights of Columbus League in 1977, attended Regiopolis-Notre Dame and KCVI, University of Connecticut Huskies, was the first Kingston player to receive a full NCAA Division 1 hoops scholarship, first active player to sit on a committee to hire a new coach, the only Kingstonian to finish among the top 10 in US college rebounding (second in the Big East), first to be selected Team Captain of a Div-I team, played for the Canadian National team that competed in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Worlds in Barcelona, Spain in 1993-94, played pro for 12 years in Holland, New Zealand, Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany, and Finland, named MVP of the Swedish Pro League, K of C league established the Gerry Besselink award given annually to the player who combines effort, respect, and dedication, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Joanie Besselink, was a pioneer with the Pete Petersen basketball program and was the driving force behind the addition of a girls division.

John Besselink played at St. Lawrence College-Kingston.

Mary Jane Besselink learned in the Knights of Columbus as well, from there she moved to Regiopolis-Notre Dame and was Female Athlete of the Year for five consecutive years, won Girls’ KASSAA championship in 1989, played for provincial teams in 1988 and 1989, winning gold and silver respectively at the Canada Games. recruited to the University of Hartford Hawks, made a significant mark leading the Hawks in rebounding and blocked shots her freshman year, earned a spot on the America East all-freshman team, led her team in points and rebounds in her sophomore and senior years, establishing herself as second team All Conference both campaigns, remains in the top 10 in Hawks history for points, rebounds, field goals, starts, minutes played and games started, named a member of the Hartford All-Decade Team for the 1990s, inducted to the St. Pat’s, Regi-Notre Dame. University of Hartford and the New England Basketball halls of fame, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Sarah Besselink, attended Holy Cross and then University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, earned Academic All-Canadian honors 2018-19, OUA Second Team All-Star in 2018-19 and 2016-17, OUA East All-Rookie Team 2013-14, won gold as Team Ontario head coach at 2024 U15 Girls National Championship, coached Ottawa’s U12 Ontario Summer development program team in 2015, as well as at high school level as an assistant coach with Canada Topflight Academy’s Senior Women’s team, an assistant coach, then four years as head coach at Ottawa with a 65-15 record, including a 19-3 campaign in 2024–25 resulting in winning the OUA championship and claiming bronze at the U SPORTS nationals. currently head women’s coach at University of Calgary Dinos.

Jonathan Besselink, atteneded Holy Cross, winning gold in cross country, varsity track from OFSAA., named to the Honor Roll all four years of high school., won 12 City Championship gold medals, while attaining six top-eight finishes at OFSAA in the 800m, 1500m, and 2000m steeplechase, holds school record in the 2000m steeplechase and 4x400m, won two city high school championships. attended Wagner College of Northeast Conference, earned All-NEC Cross Country Team (2018), made NEC Fall Commissioner's Honor Roll (2016-19), NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2018-19)., Set four school records while posting a 4.0 grade point average, his sophomore years setting eight school track records, transferred to Butler in 2020 to run with their outdoor track team for his graduate season, qualified for Canadian Olympic Trials in the 3000m steeplechase and placed fifth in the steeplechase in Canada in 2021, outdoor All-Big East at Butler in 2021, joined women’s cross country coaching staff at the University of North Florida in the fall of 2021.

Mary Elizabeth Besselink, played at Bryant University, named to honor roll each year of Holy Cross high school, received the highest mark in physical education for her junior and senior years, played in the JUEL-Prep All Star Game in 2015. named Junior Female Athlete of the Year in 2015, lettered in track and field in high school, as a freshman also played volleyball, soccer, softball and ultimate frisbee.

Max Besselink, played at Santa Clara University, his mother, Nina Besselink (née Johansson) played in Finland national team and won two Finnish championship titles, played for Helsingin NMKY, Helsinki Seagulls, Tapiolan Honka, BG Göttingen, Belgium’s Belfius Mons-Hainau, currently plays for Finnish Korisliiga team BC Nokia.

Maggie Besselink played hoops at Arizona State Sun Devils, played 54 games in four games, scored 216 points with 262 rebounds (160 defensive boards),

Bob (Ox) Senior with the Toronto Marlies

10. The Senior family

Bob (Ox) Senior, despite missing two digits on his right hand from a childhood accident was good at every sport, he tended goal for OHA’s Toronto Marlies and Galt Black Hawks, then senior for Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, twice taking his team to the OHA final, two years of minor pro, including the Springfield Indians for coach Eddie Shore, an outstanding catcher in fastball with the Prince George Indians, who won league titles and an OASA championship and baseball, coached Junior B hockey, leading Kingston Frontenacs to eastern Ontario championships in 1964 and 1969, played third on Jake Edwards rink in 1961, trained and drove harness racing horses, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Don Senior, played for Kingston CKLCs for two seasons, a great ball player, managed Kingston Ponies.

Doug (Beaver) Senior, played 10 years minor pro after two seasons with Peterborough TPT Petes, his best season was scoring 32 goals with the 1963-64 Omaha Knights in the CHL, filled in with 1967 Kingston Lakeview Indians, OBA champions, when shortstop Ron Earl was injured for much of the playoffs, in the words of the late Charlie Pester “When it comes to the Senior family, I always liked Beaver the best.”

Rick Senior, a longtime catcher with the Kingston Ponies for manager Doc Wagar’s teams winning several EOBA titles.

John Senior, played three seasons with the Kingston Voyageurs in Metro Junior B league.

Doug Senior, played one season with Cornwall Royals, three with the Kingston Voyageurs in Metro Junior B league and later was a Voyageurs coach.

Gary MacGregor, who scored the game-winning Memorial Cup goal for the Cornwall Royals.

11, The MacGregor family

George MacGregor, played a year in the minors with the Tulsa Oilers and five years of senior hockey with the Glace Bay Miners, Halifax Crescents, Halifax St. Mary’s and the North Bay Trappers in the Cape Breton League, Maritime League and OHA senior, had three 30-plus goal seasons, own local titles with the Kingston Locos 1946 and Goodyears 1953, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Gary MacGregor, played three seasons with the Cornwall Royals, including winning the 1971-72 Memorial Cup under Orval Tessier, scoring the Cup winner, scored 100 goals (174 points) in 1973-74, played five seasons in the WHA with the Chicago Cougars (scoring 42 times as a rookie with Rodney ‘T-Roddy’ Carl Zaine), Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics, Cleveland Crusaders, New England Whalers, Indianapolis Racers and Edmonton Oilers, spent three seasons in the minors, one in Germany, played for 1971 Kingston Midgets coached by Arnie (Ol’ Hickory) Jarrell, that won the OBA Midget A title first minor league team from Kingston since Bill (Squeak) Reason's 1948 Juvenile A team with Don Keeleyside, Jack White and Don Gilmour., Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Cam MacGregor, skated three seasons with Cornwall scoring 119 goals, including 61 in 1977-78, sixth round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, played four seasons in the minors.

Canada’s Centennials year saw the city of 60,000 win provincial titles in baseball with the Kingston Lakeview Indians and 2B Bobby Gilmour, left, Gary Lavallee, with the Kingston Merchants, and SS Ron Earl, who won with both the Indians and the Kingston Aces.

12. The Lavallee family.

Ron Lavallee, helped found the Kingscourt Little League with his father, heading up the annual potato chip drive, I used to ride on Ron’s car because at the end of our day he would always share some chips with the players in his car, also involved with the Kingston Voyageurs of the Metro Junior B hockey team, Ron has a park named after him in Kingscourt, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Gary Lavallee, built like a mailbox, his heart was as large as Murney Tower saving a fill-in base ump (me) from being berated in a parking lot after he had worked the plate, am glad it did not end in a fight because I never saw Gary lose one, as Bob Senior always said, “Gary Lavallee won more championships in the 1960s than anyone around town,” including the 1961 midget team that won the Ontario championship, Kingston Frontenacs in Junior B and Kingston Merchants, senior B champions in 1967 sweeping a best-of-three final against Wallaceburg, was a patient coach at St. Lawrence College, worked at the Wally Elmer Youth Centre.

Leo Lavallee, was a junior when the Frontenacs played in the Metro Toronto League and in the Eastern Ontario Junior B league for the first-place Frontenacs finishing fifth in the scoring race behind teammate Syl Apps, Jr., had 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points in 29 games, played with future NHLers Rick Smith and Dennis Kearns

13. The Apps family

Syl Apps, played 10 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, with six seasons of 20 goals or more, came to Kingston following his hockey career and was a long serving MPP for Kingston and the Islands.

Syl Apps, Jr. played Rotary-Kiwanis minor hockey in Kingston, led Kingston to first place in finish in Eastern Ontario Junior B 1965-66 season, led league in scoring with 41 goals and 53 assists in 30 games, attended Princeton for one year, returned to play for Queen’s Golden Gaels, then joined the Kingston Aces, winning the OHA Senior A championship in 1967 and a silver at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland in 1968 before going pro, played three seasons in the minors, played 10 seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings, was leading scorer with the Pens from 1972-74, selected for the Penguins’ Hall of Fame in 1994m named to Pens All-Time team in 2010, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Gillian Apps, played for Scarborough Sting, Toronto Aeros and Brampton Thunder in the National Women’s Hockey League and Canadian Women’s Hockey League, spent four years at Dartmouth College, was on the national women’s team and was a three-time Olympic gold medalist.

14. The Plumb family

Ron Plumb, played two years in the minors, mostly with St. Paul Saints and the Vancouver Canucks, a respected hockey coach.

Ron Plumb, Jr. the OHL’s top defenceman with the Peterborough Petes in 1970, a first-round pick of the Bruins, played seven years with WHA’s teams in Philadelphia, Vancouver, San Diego, Cincinnati and New England, earning WHA’s top defenceman with Cincy, played for the Hartford Whalers in the NHL, played five seasons in the minors, was player-coach on teams in Jujo, Japan and Fife, Scotland, earning British league’s coach of the year, coached Queen’s University, 1986-88, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee.

Rick Plumb, played in the OHL with Peterborough and Hamilton Red Wings.

Rob Plumb, starred with the original Kingston Canadians, played parts of two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, skated four years in the minors, was a talented ball player in Kingscourt.

Randy Plumb, played three years of junior with the Kingston Canadians and Belleville Bulls.

Pat O’Brien, Jr. is a member of the North Eastern Dirt Racing Hall of Fame.

15. The O’Brien family.

Pat O’Brien, was a top area stock car driver in the 1960 and 1970s including the old Kingston Speedway, he was a dominant driver on Friday nights along with Tony Blake,

Pat O’Brien, Jr. has won 22 track championships at Cornwall, Brockville and Lafargeville NY, won four Mr. Dirt titles on the season-long dirt racing circuit in Canada and North Eastern US, a member of the North Eastern Dirt Racing Hall of Fame, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee in 2025.

Danny O’Brien was also on the Eastern Ontario stock car circuit for years, fared well and put up some wins.

Honourable mention

The Martin family

Roy (Scotty) Martin, from 1967 to 1985 he was involved in minor hockey as a coach, manager and executive, beginning with the Royals in the Rotary-Kiwanis Minor Hockey Association, in the mid 1980s he became involved with the Kingston Township Voyageurs Junior club, in 23 years of service he has been general manager, assistant GM, secretary and treasurer, was involved for 20 years with minor baseball and softball teams in both the city and Kingston Township, in 1986 he received the Kingston Hockey Centennial award, was recognized as a builder of amateur sport by the Kiwanis Club of Kingston, contributed to the Church Athletic League, Kingston Minor Hockey Association, Kingston Township Minor Hockey Association, Kingscourt Little League, Kingston Township Softball Association and the Kingston and Kingston Township baseball associations.

Scotty Martin, was a leading scorer for the Jr. B Kingston Voyageurs in the late 80s, topped 50 goals in a season, ranked among the all time leading scorers for the Voyageurs, played US College hockey RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY). a banner was raised in his honor, solid ball player as well.

Edwin (Chaucer) Elliott, a Hockey Hall of Fame official …

The Elliott family

Edwin (Chaucer) Elliott, was captain of the Queen’s football team for two years, skated for the Gaels hockey team, studied medicine at Queen’s, played for the Kingston Granites, winners of the Canadian championship in 1899, organised a semi-pro club in Kingston to compete in a league he formed with other teams in Gananoque and New York State, played ball for class-B Concord, class-D Brantford and class-D Oswego, coached 1906 Toronto Argonauts (4-2) and later in the season took the Hamilton Tigers to a Canadian championship with a win over McGill, coached Montreal AAA Winger Wheelers, was manager of the St. Thomas Saints of Intercounty League, returned to coach Argos in 1910 (3-3), for 10 years was the most sought-after and respected referee, working 1912 OHA final between Toronto Canoe Club and Orillia, a year later was diagnosed with an irreversible form of cancer passing at age 34, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 1961, which website reads “considered the finest sportsman ever produced by Kingston, an able all-round athlete whose contribution to sports was unquestioned.”

Bob Elliott, played at Queen’s for four seasons over a five-year period after losing an eye, his interception was key in 1934 Yates Cup, an 8-7 win over University of Toronto, the Gaels second championship while he was there, coached Queen’s for two seasons before the arrival of Frank Tindall, earned letters in track, tennis, hockey and lacrosse at Queen’s, won many batting titles and was a member of championship teams in 19 seasons with Circle Six, Kingston Locos, Kingston Giants and Kingston Ponies, officiated college football, the team he put together won the 1967 OBA title, the city’s first since 1935, won five Ontario championship including three Silver Tankards and played third for Jake Edwards rink which reached the 1960 Brier in Port Arthur, beating Saskatchewan’s legendary Richardson rink, Kingston and District Hall of Fame inductee, inaugural class.

Elizabeth Elliott, general manager of the 1993 Kingston Ponies under skipper Bobby Gilmour.

Xander Elliott, performed so well in the 2025 season, he won an Esso award as the most dedicated player on his 11UI team, and his name hangs a the Hockey Hall of Fame in a digital display in the same building at his great grandfather Chaucer.