Gordon Houston (hockey player)
| Gordon Houston | |
|---|---|
| Gordie | |
| Years in Thunder Bay | by 1920–at least 1966 |
Gordon Houston was a multi-sport amateur athlete and hockey coach who competed in several senior leagues in the Lakehead region. Gordon Houston was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 as an athlete.[1]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Gordon Houston was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on 28 September 1985 in the athlete category for hockey, baseball, football and curling, representing Fort William.[1]
Career
A versatile amateur athlete during the 1920s and 1930s, Houston was recognized for his competitive drive and technical ability across multiple disciplines. He attended Fort William Collegiate Institute, where he participated in high school athletics. Although he did not begin hockey skating until later in his youth, he became known for his puck-handling skills and shooting strength while playing in various senior circuits in Fort William and Port Arthur.[1]
In addition to his time on the ice, Houston was a prominent Baseball player. During the 1930s, he was considered the top shortstop in the Lakehead area, noted for his defensive range and throwing arm. His athletic career also extended to the football field, where he competed as both a quarterback and a running back. Later in life, at the age of 46, he took up Curling and reached a high level of proficiency in that sport as well.[1]
Following his playing career, Houston contributed to local sports as a coach and administrator. He served as the head coach for the Hurricane Rangers and the Fort William Canadiens hockey teams. He also held an executive position with the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association. He continued to advocate for amateur athletics in Thunder Bay throughout his life.[1]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (by 1920–at least 1966) rests on the following dated evidence. He attended high school in Fort William, played senior sports in the twin cities during the 1930s, and began curling at age 46.[1]
Honours and achievements
- Regarded as the premier shortstop in the Lakehead region during the 1930s
- Competed in multiple senior athletic leagues in Fort William and Port Arthur
- Coached the Hurricane Rangers and Fort William Canadiens hockey clubs
- Served as an executive member of the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association
- Excelled as a multi-sport athlete in hockey, baseball, football, and curling[1]
- Possibly the same as Gordon Francis Houston (died 2005); the name matches, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
- Possibly the same as Gordon Houston; the name matches and some details fit, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Gordon 'Gordie' Houston", athlete profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/athlete-profile/c7179496-4cc3-47db-b191-0acca95685e2 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.