Gordon Wilson (hockey player)
| Gordon Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Junior | |
| Years in Thunder Bay | by 1945–1953; from 1960 |
Gordon Wilson was a multi-sport athlete and builder who played professional hockey in the American Hockey League and Western Hockey League and won eight city baseball titles in Port Arthur. Gordon Wilson was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 as an athlete.[1]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Gordon Wilson was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on 30 September 1995 in the athlete category for hockey and baseball, representing Port Arthur.[1]
Career
The son of Hockey Hall of Fame member Gordon "Phat" Wilson, he began his athletic career in Port Arthur. During the 1945-46 season, he was recognized as the most valuable player in the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association. From 1947 to 1949, he played for the Port Arthur West End Bruins in the juvenile division, helping the squad secure a district championship and earning individual most valuable player honors in the 1948-49 campaign. Continuing with the West End Bruins in Junior Hockey from 1949 to 1953, he received the league's most valuable player award, the most gentlemanly player award, and the scoring title.[1]
In 1953, he entered the professional ranks after signing with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, appearing in two Stanley Cup playoff matches. He joined the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League for the 1953-54 season but missed a significant portion of the year due to a knee injury sustained in the preseason. He remained with the Bears until 1956, recording 123 points across 129 games. He later played for the Victoria Cougars in the Western Hockey League starting in 1957 and concluded his professional career in 1960 as a member of the Quebec Aces. Upon returning to the Lakehead, he played for the Lakehead Pros and the Thunder Bay Oldtimers from the 1960s into the 1990s.[1]
In Baseball, he was a shortstop known for his hitting and defensive range. Between 1949 and 1965, he was a member of eight city championship teams while playing for the Port Arthur Giants, Port Arthur Red Sox, and Big Eds. His performance on the diamond included multiple league batting titles and most valuable player awards. He was noted for his arm strength on throws across the infield and his ability to produce hits in critical game situations.[1]
Beyond his playing career, he contributed to local sports as a coach for Little League Baseball and bantam Hockey during the 1960s and 1970s. He also maintained a long-term involvement with the Thunder Bay Oldtimers Hockey League.[1]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (by 1945–1953; from 1960) rests on the following dated evidence. Played hockey and baseball in Port Arthur from 1945 to 1953 before turning professional, and returned to the Lakehead in 1960 to play and coach through the 1990s.[1]
Honours and achievements
- Named Most Valuable Player of the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association in 1945-46
- Won the District title with the Port Arthur West End Bruins Juvenile Team
- Earned MVP, Most Gentlemanly, and League Leading Scorer awards in Junior hockey between 1949 and 1953
- Played in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Boston Bruins in 1953
- Recorded 123 points in 129 American Hockey League games with the Hershey Bears
- Won eight Port Arthur city baseball championships between 1949 and 1965
- Earned multiple baseball league batting titles and MVP honors
- Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1995[1]
Family
- Gordon 'Phat' Wilson, a father: Hockey Hall of Fame member[1]
- Possibly the same as Gordon Jr. Wilson; the name matches, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
- Possibly the same as Gordon Wilson; the name matches and some details fit, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
- Possibly the same as Gordon Wilson (born c. 1896); the name matches and some details fit, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
- Possibly the same as Gordon Wilson (of Court Street South); 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 1.7 1.8 "Gordon 'Junior' Wilson", athlete profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/athlete-profile/9e80b76b-a5a3-4cef-8518-ad4465a6ffd3 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.