Builder of the Olympic Movement in Canada

Feature

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As Chairman of the Southampton Hospital Foundation in Southampton, Ontario, Brian Wakelin has long been accustomed to building organizations from the grass roots level.

Involved in sports his entire life, Wakelin has been recognized as a major builder of hockey and, as a builder of the Olympic movement in Canada, Wakelin was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 2007.

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Wakelin was instrumental in the development of minor hockey throughout Canada. Among the positions he held were Central Area Chairman of N.A.H.A. Minor Hockey Committee, Minor Hockey Chair, National Chair of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (C.A.H.A.) Minor Committee and then Chairman of the Board, the first Minor Hockey executive to ever achieve the latter honour.

During his tenure as Chairman of Minor Hockey at the National level, Brian and his administration were responsible for introducing and setting up legislation for both the hockey helmet and face guard and also represented Canada at 11 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) meetings

In 1988, Wakelin was Assistant Chef de Mission for the Canadian Olympic Team at the Calgary Olympics and, then, in 1990, he was elected as the Vice-President of the Canadian Olympic Association.

Wakelin went on to represent Canada at five Olympic Games, including Chef de Mission at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano and also headed up the hockey delegation at the Winter Olympics in Albertville in 1992.

At the 1994 Olympics in Norway, Brian held the prestigious posting as Host of Canada House, representing the Canadian Olympic Association (COA) and the Canadian Federal Government.

Today, Wakelin is excited about the 2010 Olympic Games and the Olympic Torch that will be coming to area in December. "It's fantastic that it's coming through our area," says Wakelin. "This is a once in a lifetime event and absolutely everyone should try to get out and see it!"
 

Hall of Fame - Brian Wakelin - Builder
Inducted November 19, 1994

Brian Wakelin, a native of Sudbury, Ontario is most known for his contributions to Hockey. Brian started a long and colourful career when he was elected as a Director of Harbour Grace Pee Wee Hockey Team in 1958.

In 1968, Brian rose from the grass roots level to become Central Area Chairman of N.A.H.A. Minor Committee. In 1970 he was elected Minor Hockey Chairman, a position he held until 1979. From 1979 to 1984 Brian was National Chairman of The C.A.H.A. Minor Committee and later Chairman of the Board making him the first Minor Hockey executive to have achieved this honour.

Brian has represented Canada at 11 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) meetings. He was assistant Chef de Mission for the Canadian Olympic Team at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 and he was head of the hockey delegation at the Winter Olympics in Albertville in 1992. For the 1994 Olympics in Norway, Brian was host of Canada House in Norway for COA and Canadian government.

Brian has been the recipient of a number of awards. Most recently, in 1993, he was awarded the Federal Government’s Commemorative Medal for The 125th Anniversary of The Confederation of Canada for the District of St. John’s West for outstanding service to his province and country.

During his tenure as Chairman of Minor Hockey at the National level, Brian and his administration were responsible for introducing and setting up legislation for both the hockey helmet and face guard.
Brian now moves on to be Canada’s Chef de Mission for the next Olympic Games. With all of these accomplishments, he still manages to maintain his involvement at the grass roots level of the game. Brian continues to make a tremendous commitment to building sport in our province, country and the world.

HOCKEY CANADA CONGRATULATES BRIAN WAKELIN ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
HALL OF FAME

Brian Wakelin (builder, St. John’s, Nfld.), was instrumental in growing the Olympic Movement and developing the sport of hockey across Canada over a 30-year period, beginning in 1971. Wakelin was elected as the Vice President of the Canadian Olympic Association in 1990 and represented Canada at five Olympic Games, including serving as Chef de Mission at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano. An influential member of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, Wakelin held a variety of positions within the organization including Chairman of the Board from 1985-1987.

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05/10/2009 05:01 PM