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During his childhood and teenage years in Saint-Hyacinthe, Gérard Théberge was skilled in all the sports then in vogue. He regularly attended the Patronage Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, the ultimate place for recreation for the children of working class families, where he learned the rudiments of hockey.
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Gilles Villeneuve, auto racer (b at Chambly, Qué 18 Jan 1950; d at Zolder, Belgium 8 May 1982). In his brief career Villeneuve was Canada's finest high-speed racer. When Villeneuve was eight, his family moved to Berthierville to be closer to his father's family.
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Wayne “Gino” Odjick, hockey player (born 7 September 1970 in Maniwaki, QC; died 15 January 2023 in Vancouver, BC). One of the most popular players in Vancouver Canucks franchise history, Gino Odjick inspired Indigenous youth across the country. He was a proponent of culturally relevant education for Indigenous children and youth. Odjick was a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, an Algonquin community. He was an enforcer whose willingness to engage in fights on the ice served to protect smaller, more skilled teammates. Odjick skated for four National Hockey League teams over 12 seasons. For most of those teams, he chose to wear hockey sweater no. 29, the same number as was assigned to his father at residential school.
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Henry “Gizmo” Williams, football player, motivational speaker (born 31 May 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States). Gizmo Williams is considered the greatest return specialist in the history of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In 14 seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Elks) between 1986 and 2000, Williams set more than 20 CFL records, several of which still stand, including most punt returns (1,003); most yards on punt returns (11,134 yards); and most touchdowns on punt returns (26). He won the Grey Cup with Edmonton in 1987 and 1993 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Hall began his career in junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey Association's Windsor Spitfires. He turned pro with Indianapolis of the AHL and played for the Edmonton Flyers of the WHL before joining the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL in 1951.
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Glenn William Howard, curler, coach, consultant (born 17 July, 1962 in Midland, ON) Curler Glenn Howard has won four world championships, four national championships and a record 17 Ontario provincial titles, including eight straight (2006–13). He is one of only two curlers to win the career Grand Slam, having won the Masters, the Players Championship, the National and the Canadian Open at least once. Overall, Howard has captured 16 Grand Slam titles. He also coached the Great Britain women’s rink to a berth in the semifinals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. He currently coaches the team of Jennifer Jones.
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Gordon “Gordie” Howe, OC, hockey player (born 31 March 1928 in Floral, SK; died 10 June 2016 in Sylvania, Ohio). A 21-time National Hockey League (NHL) all-star, Howe is often described as “the greatest of them all,” even in song. Known as “Mr. Hockey,” even by fans not yet born when he retired from the sport, Howe played for 32 seasons in the major leagues, including 26 years in the NHL. Few players have come close to matching his overall proficiency, and none his longevity.
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Grant Fuhr, hockey player (b at Spruce Grove, Alta 28 Sept 1962). Grant Fuhr was one of the National Hockey League's best-ever goalies and a member of the outstanding Edmonton Oilers lineup of the 1980s.
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Macleans
This article was originally published in Maclean’s magazine on April 26, 1999. Partner content is not updated. Hollywood will no doubt make a movie about Wayne Gretzky some day, and it will have to include the scene where he plays his last game in Canada, in Ottawa against the Senators.
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Macleans
Wayne Gretzky has a long memory. The most prolific scorer in the history of hockey can recall the tiniest details of past games. His business life has been enhanced by his ability to remember names and faces, and he never forgets the kindness of friends.This article was originally published in Maclean's Magazine on March 11, 1996
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Guillaume Leblanc (born 14 April 1962 in Sept-Îles, Quebec). Guillaume Leblanc is a race-walking specialist who participated in the track and field events at three editions of the Summer Olympic Games.
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Guy Damien Lafleur, OC, CQ, hockey player (born 20 September 1951 in Thurso, QC; died 22 April 2022). Guy Lafleur was one of the most offensively skilled Montreal Canadiens players of all time. He is the franchise’s regular season career leader in assists (728) and points (1,246). In 1976–77, Lafleur set the Canadiens’ franchise record for most points in a single regular season (136). In 1977–78, he tied the Canadiens’ single-season record for most goals (60). He is a member of the Order of Canada and the National Order of Québec and has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
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Harold Patterson, football player (Born 4 Oct 1932; died at Kinsley, KS, 21 Nov 2011). He became a star CFL player early in his 14-year career as a member of the vaunted MONTREAL ALOUETTES passing attack led by quarterback Sam Etcheverry from 1954 to 1960.
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Henry (Harry) Vernon Howell, hockey player, coach, manager, scout (born 28 December 1932 in Hamilton, ON; died 10 March 2019 in Ancaster, ON). Harry Howell was a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the New York Rangers, Oakland Seals, California Golden Seals and Los Angeles Kings. Known affectionately as “Harry the Horse,” he set a franchise record with the Rangers for most games played with 1,160. He was also a seven-time all-star and a Norris Trophy winner. Following the end of his playing career, he served as a coach, manager or scout for several teams, including Team Canada (1978 world championships), the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers. Howell was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979. His No. 3 was retired by the Rangers in 2009.
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Harry Winston Jerome, OC, track and field athlete, consultant, teacher (born 30 September 1940 in Prince Albert, SK; died 7 December 1982 in Vancouver, BC). Three-time Olympian Harry Jerome won the bronze medal in the 100 m race at the 1964 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan. He also won gold medals at the 1966 Commonwealth Games and the 1967 Pan American Games. Jerome broke the Canadian record in the 220-yard dash when he was only 18 years old and set or equalled world records in the 60-yard indoor dash, the 100-yard dash, the 100 m sprint and the 440-yard relay. Following his retirement from competition, he promoted amateur and youth sport through national and provincial programs. Jerome also advocated for better support of Canadian athletes and for greater representation of racialized Canadians on Canadian television and advertising. He was the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the Order of Canada.
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