2015 Inductees
Athletes
GRANT PATTERSON
Grant was born in Penetanguishene to parents Gwen and Fred Patterson. Grant grew up loving softball and played on many championship Toanche teams. At the age of 17, he and his Toanche Eagles teammates made the switch to playing fastball. He would soon become a dominant pitcher throughout the Simcoe Rural Fastball League garnering pitching awards and championships in 1994 and 1995. In 1996, he and his Toanche team won the OASA Junior C provincial title. Soon the 6 foot 7 and 225 pound pitcher along with his 130 km / hr. fastball would be in great demand. During the 1996 season he played for an Australian team, before moving on to the Toronto Aces. Not only would he pitch for Canada’s National Team for three years, but he would help teams from Kitchener, Kemptville, Toronto, Midland Michigan, and Calgary, winning provincial, national & international championships in 2009, 2013 and 2014. He would be chosen as an All-American All-Star pitcher on four occasions between 2007 and 2013. A proud Metis, he played for Inverme, B.C. at the Native National Championships in 2014. |
PATRICK DESROCHERS
Patrick was born in Penetanguishene to parents Vivian and Louis DesRochers. Rising through the ranks of the Penetanguishene Minor Hockey system, Patrick played goal for the Barrie Colts where he would win the OHA Rookie of the Year Award in 1995. In the fall of 1995, he joined the Sarnia Sting and later he led Team Ontario to the under 17 World Hockey Challenge title in Moncton where he was chosen the tournament MVP. The next year he would lead Canada to the under 18 gold medal. In 1998 Patrick would be drafted in the first round by the NHL Phoenix Coyotes and would join the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHA Major Jr. “A” league. In 2001 he represented Canada at the Spengler Cup helping his team win a silver medal. He played in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes and the Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL Springfield Falcons, Lowell Lock Monsters and the San Antonio Rampage. Between 2007 and 2013 he went to Europe where he played professional hockey in Norway and Austria and won many goaltending awards and league championships. |
LARRY COWAN
Larry was born in Penetanguishene to parents Veronica and Max Cowan. Playing hockey throughout the Penetanguishene Minor Hockey system, he would go on to be a formidable defenceman with the Penetang Kings Jr. “C” hockey club. Once his playing days were over, Larry joined the Kings as a trainer in 1981. In 1989 he became the team President until 2001 when at that time he also assumed the role of General Manager until 2010. He would serve as President for nineteen years, and General Manager for seven. Under his watch, the Kings were a powerhouse, winning countless Georgian Bay league titles culminating in All-Ontario Championships in 2006 and 2007. In 2010, upon stepping down from the King’s organization, he was feted with a special#night to mark his tremendous contributions to the team. In 2010 he became the Georgian Bay Jr. “C” League Convenor, a post he still holds. For his service and dedication to hockey, the OHA presented him with its Crystal Puck Award in 2013. |
JIM HILL
Jim was born in Penetanguishene, to parents Anita and Jerry Hill. As an all-around great athlete in football and badminton, Jim learned to play tennis at age 14. Despite being large physique, Jim’s athleticism and quickness became legendary. While attending Penetanguishene Secondary School, his tennis prowess grew and he would win two Georgian Bay (GBSSA) and one Ontario (OFSSA) Secondary School single’s title. As a member of the Penetanguishene Tennis Club, he would win many singles and double’s championships. In addition he would win countless tournaments throughout the province. In 1971, he would be instrumental in helping the University of Western Ontario tennis team capture the OUAA Division title. In 1973 while attending Seneca College, he would win the Ontario College’s OCAA singles title which helped Seneca win the overall team title. In 1974 he teamed with Fred Desroches to win the York- Simcoe Doubles title. Moving to Cambridge and later Burlington, Jim would go on to win countless titles in various tennis clubs he played for. |