Long-time NHL referee Dave Newell had the distinction of
sharing the ice with some of the best hockey players in the
history of the game, but being inducted into the Sudbury Sports
Hall of Fame is something he considers to be the greatest
honour of all.
Newell (player category), along with the late Russ Farnel
(administration category) and Ezio Bevilacqua (player
category), John Hatzis (corporate category) and the Sudbury
Canoe Club (builder category) are the 2006 inductee class for
the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame.
Newell, 61, was blown away and relieved. "It's a dream come true," said the Copper Cliff resident. "No one will ever know how long I've thought about being inducted. It got to the point where I thought it just wouldn't happen for me. When I got the call, I was overwhelmed.
It's the highest honour I've ever been given. It's also the most important thing to happen to me.
It means a lot to be honoured by your own community."
Newell, who still works for the NHL as a coach for young
referees and linesmen, is eagerly waiting the official night,
which happens on June 7 at the Caruso Club. "I am looking
forward to the big night," said Newell. "As soon as I found out
what night it was, I called my boss and took the night off. I
went to a NHL officials training camp in 1960 when I was 15.
All this wouldn't have been possible without the support from
my family."
Farnel was a huge centrepiece for minor league hockey in
Sudbury. He also helped bring lacrosse back to the Nickel City.
Farnel was a long-time general manager of the Sudbury Nickel
Capitals AAA hockey team and the driving force behind the
creation of the Great North AAA Midget Hockey League. He died
of a heart attack in 2004.
His vision and passion really made him stand out from the
crowd.
"Russ was a forward thinker," said his wife of 38 years,
Christine. "He was always passionate about team work. He didn't
consider hockey to be a second job to him because he loved it
so much. He did it for the kids and he loved to help them
develop."
Christine knows her late husband would be smiling at being
inducted.
"Russ would be happy and very humbled...it's really nice to
see all his hard work and energy being acknowledged in this
way."
Hatzis, who owns Lockerby Confectionery among other
businesses, has spent countless hours fundraising for numerous
local sports groups, especially hockey, soccer and swimming.
Like the others, Hatzis was moved by the induction.
"I am very proud I was selected...I never expected it, and
it's an honour."
The Sudbury Canoe Club was represented by vice commodore Dan
Welch.
"The club has had thousands of members, and they're the ones
who made the club into what it is today," said Welch. "It's
nice to be recognized for the volunteer work that has been done
at the club for over a century and for all the people who have
kept it going."
Tickets for the June 7 dinner gala at the Caruso Club are
now on sale. Cost is $35 per ticket and they're available at
the House of Kin, located at 1889 Regent St. or by calling
522-3600.
The night will include speeches from the latest hall of fame inductees as well as announcing the winners of the individual sports awards.
