43rd Induction Dinner and Ceremonies

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On Saturday, September 26th, 2026 in the Valhalla Hotel Ballroom in Thunder Bay the newest inductees to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame were honoured at the 43rd Induction Dinner & Ceremonies.

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Three (3) athletes including long-time 5-pin bowling champion Ron Stansfield of Dryden, Thunder Bay wrestler Justin BeauParlant and NHL hockey goalie Carter Hutton were honoured for their outstanding careers, alongside two (2) builders of sport from Thunder Bay who dedicated themselves to the sport of hockey over many years including Norman Bevilacqua and Bill McDonald. Also in attendance were 2025 Inductees Malcolm Fisher (karate) and Don Boyd (hockey) who could not attend their induction last year.

 

Rounding out the Class of 2026 were the 2005 Thunder Bay Bombers senior hockey team who claimed the Allan Cup as Canadian champions.  Members of the team include: Trevor Abraham, Jeff Adduono, Ed Atwill, Omer Belisle, Tyler Bruno, Steve Dumonski, Mike Figliomeni, Robert Hillier, Kevin Hoogsteen, Michael Jacobsen, Matt Kenny, Steven LeCuyer, Derek Levanen, Robert MacPhail Jr., Cory McEachran, Sean McEachran, Barry McKinlay, Craig Priestlay, Neal Purdon, Jeff A. Ricciardi, Joe Ritson, Scott Sutton, Tyler Williamson. Vern Ray (Coach), Dave Joubert (Assistant Coach), Albert Drake (General Manager), Dean Filane Figliomeni (Assistant GM), Gaetan Joubert (Equipment Manager), Rob Monty (Equipment Manager).

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Special thanks to Diane Imrie and Alex Belcamino for their work on writing and producing our induction videos and to Bryan Wyatt for voicing them and to Maverick Entertainment for sharing them with the crowd and recording the ceremony. Thanks as well to Dallas Allaire who once again was on hand to serve as our Master of Ceremonies and to Anna Buske who captured the evening in photographs. Once again the incredible talents of pianist Pat Towell and vocalist Denise Krawczuk added to the success of the evening. 

Congratulations to our newest inductees and thank you to everybody who helped make the evening a great success including our patrons, program sponsors and presenting sponsor TBaytel.