John Wiwcharyk (sports builder)
| John Wiwcharyk | |
|---|---|
| Chatter | |
| Died | 1990 |
| Years in Thunder Bay | by 1939–1990 |
John Wiwcharyk was a long-serving hockey administrator and coach who spent nearly five decades developing minor and junior hockey in Northwestern Ontario. John Wiwcharyk was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 as a builder.[1]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
John Wiwcharyk was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on 26 September 1998 in the builder category for hockey.[1]
Career and service
Despite only participating in a single game of Hockey as a goaltender during his school years, John Wiwcharyk began a prolific career as a sports builder at a young age. When he was 10 years old, he started a four-year tenure as the Assistant Club Trainer for the Port Arthur Flyers of the Junior ranks. By the age of 13, he had taken on the responsibility of organizing the hockey team at Queen Elizabeth Elementary School.[1]
In 1939, he began a 20-year association with the South End Rangers. During his time with the club, he served as a coach, manager, and fundraiser, helping the organization achieve significant success. Under his guidance, the team secured seven straight Midget city championships from 1949 to 1956. His efforts caught the attention of Frank Selke Sr. of the Montreal Canadiens, who visited the club's outdoor rink in the 1950s and provided a $500 donation and a trophy to the program.[1]
Wiwcharyk transitioned into broader administrative roles starting in 1955 when he joined the executive of the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association, eventually serving as its President from 1958 to 1961. His dedication was recognized in 1959 with an award from the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. He later became a fixture on the executive of the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association, where he acted as a convener for both minor and junior hockey. He held the presidency of the TBAHA from 1973 to 1976 and represented the region at the CAHA level. Additionally, he was a founding member and Vice-Chairman of the Arnold Southern Memorial Bursary Fund Committee.[1]
In 1975, his expertise led to an appointment to the Ontario Hockey Council Committee. This body was established following a Royal Commission investigation into violence in the sport. Wiwcharyk served as the Vice-Chairman of this committee for two years. His lifetime of service was further honored with a Life Membership to the TBAHA in 1987 and a Meritorious Award in 1988.[1]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (by 1939–1990) rests on the following dated evidence. He was involved with the South End Rangers from 1939 and held various local hockey executive positions until his death in 1990.[1]
Honours and achievements
- Served as Assistant Club Trainer for the Port Arthur Flyers for four years starting at age 10
- Organized the Queen Elizabeth Elementary School hockey team at age 13
- Coached and managed the South End Rangers to seven consecutive city Midget titles between 1949 and 1956
- Secured a $500 donation and trophy for the South End Rangers from Montreal Canadiens executive Frank Selke Sr
- Served as President of the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association from 1958 to 1961
- Received a Canadian Amateur Hockey Association award for service to minor hockey in 1959
- Served as President of the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association from 1973 to 1976
- Acted as Vice-Chairman of the Ontario Hockey Council Committee regarding violence in hockey for two years
- Awarded Life Membership to the TBAHA in 1987
- Received the TBAHA Meritorious Award in 1988[1]
- Possibly the same as John Wiwcharyk; the name matches and some details fit, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
- Possibly the same as John Wiwcharyk (husband of Ethel Wiwcharyk); the name matches and some details fit, but too little is shared to merge the pages.
- Possibly the same as John Wiwcharyk (sheet metal worker); 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 "John Wiwcharyk", builder profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/builder-profile/74591366-f0a4-4925-9147-866d8f5fa25e (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.