Bobby Orr has many admirers and supporters, but none greater than Don Cherry. There is no doubt that Don Cherry believes Bobby Orr is the Greatest Hockey Player to have ever played in the NHL and takes every opportunity to remind anyone who is listening that Bobby Orr is from Parry Sound. The first time Cherry saw Orr play was in 1971 at a Boston Bruins practice. He could not believe his eyes. Cherry immediately ran down to the Bruins souvenir shop, bought a poster of Bobby Orr and got Rob Walton to get Orr’s autograph for his son Tim. Cherry and Orr developed a bond of mutual admiration and friendship for the next thirty-six years. It is most fitting that Don Cherry is recognized as the first non Parry Sounder inducted into the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.

Don Cherry had a distinguished thirty-year career in professional hockey as a player and coach with a variety of teams starting in 1953 when he won the Memorial Cup with the Barrie Flyers. Cherry was head coach of the Boston Bruins from 1974-1979. During his tenure the Bruins finished first in their division four seasons in a row and Cherry was awarded the Jack Adams Award as the NHL Coach of the Year in 1976. Leaving hockey in 1980, he began his remarkable broadcasting career with CBC as an analyst on the ever-popular Coach’s Corner.Cherry was ranked in seventh place as the Greatest Canadian in the CBC program The Greatest Canadian. He is a tireless supporter of our troops and many charitable causes, none more important to him than those involving children.

Jim Matthews-Builder-Hockey

Jim Matthews was born in Parry Sound on November 27, 1934. He was an accomplished hockey player with Division I Clarkson College, New York. In 1973, he brought hockey to Binghamton, New York, as owner and President of the Broome Dusters. Never one to forget his roots, he invited Parry Sound players, Roddy Bloomfield, Neil and Wayne Clairmont and Ron Orr as Manager to be part of his team. Due to his very solid business savvy and community approach, hockey flourished and Binghamton soon became known as, “Hockey Town U.S.A.” Matthews served on the Board of Directors of the North American Hockey League.   

Matthew’s remarkable success in the business world and his incredible service to his community have not gone unnoticed as he has received many awards and citations including, Donald Frank Service Award to Hockey, Induction into the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame, Boy Scouts of America Citizen of the Year, Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year and Clarkson University Golden Knight Lifetime Achievement Award.  Presently he is owner of more than thirty businesses with gross annual sales of over one billion dollars.  Jim Matthews’ legacy is one of integrity, loyalty, success and meritorious service to others.

Doug Orr-Honorary Patron

Doug Orr was born in Parry Sound, January 15, 1925. As a youngster, he enjoyed all sports but excelled in hockey. He was a great natural skater with a freewheeling hard-driving style and had great stick handling ability. It was not surprising that the Boston Bruins scouted Doug Orr in the early 1940s. He gave up a promising pro hockey career to join the Navy in World War II and served aboard HMCS Frontenac. He was very proud that his son, Bobby Orr, made the Boston Bruins, a team that scouted him some 25 years earlier. In addition to his interest in hockey, Doug Orr was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Doug Orr had a genuine interest in hockey in Parry Sound. It did not matter to him if it was a house league team, a travelling team, a junior team or an oldtimers team, he supported them all. He was a favourite to drop the puck to start tournament games and would cheer on all the kids regardless of the team they played on. He never missed a Rotary Skate-A-Thon for Easter Seals or an Induction Ceremony. The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame was a second home to him where he would greet visitors, take pictures with them, and sign autographs. He delighted in sharing hockey, fishing or hunting stories with anyone who would listen. Doug Orr passed away Feb 10, 2007.

Tim Vancoughnett-Athlete-Cross Country Skiing-Track & Field-Special Olympics

Tim Vancoughnett is a Special Olympian from Parry Sound representing himself and his community since 1985. He competed in ten Provincial Special Olympic Games, five in Track & Field and five in Cross Country Skiing. He also competed in four National Special Olympic Games, one in Track and Field and three in Cross Country Skiing. Vancoughnett won an amazing 11 Gold, 9 Silver and 13 Bronze medals at these games. In addition, he won several medals at the local and regional levels in Speed Skating, Floor Hockey, Five Pin Bowling and Softball. In 1997 he was recognized Athlete of the Year for North Central Ontario (Region 9).

In December of 2001, Vancoughnett broke his leg and dislocated his foot. The doctors thought he might not able to compete again, but Vancoughnett proved them wrong. Through sheer determination and willpower, he qualified for the 2002 National Summer Special Olympic Games and won two silver and one bronze. Vancoughnett is an amazing athlete with a commitment to Special Olympics that has shaped both his sporting and daily life. He is the first Special Olympian to be inducted into the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.