2025

Many nicknames are bestowed, but fewer are earned, and rarer still are the nicknames that become universal. Justin Williams has earned his. Known throughout the hockey world simply as “Mr. Game 7”; a sobriquet he earned by playing in nine game seven playoff games in his NHL career. His team’s sported an 8–1 record in those games. He currently is tied for the most-ever goals in these games with seven, and has the outright record for most game seven points, with fifteen. Born on October 4, 1981 in Cobourg, Williams was drafted in the first round, 28th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 20, 2004, Williams NHL career blossomed. That spring he was chosen to represent Canada in the 2004 IIHF  World Championships in Prague and came back with a Gold Medal. Two years later with Carolina he set career highs with 31 goals, 45 assists, and 76 points in the regular season, before adding 18 points in 25 playoff games that spring, helping the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup. He made his first appearance in an NHL  All-Star game at the 2007 NHL  All-Star Game in Dallas and also played for Canada in the 2007 IIHF World Championship, in which he won his second gold medal. Traded to the Los Angeles Kings on March 4, 2009 Justin scored 15 points in the 2012 playoffs, helping the Kings win their first Stanley Cup and his second. Williams won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the 2014 playoffs, where he won his third Stanley Cup and second with the Kings. He scored nine goals and 15 assists during the playoffs, including points in all three Game 7 contests the Kings had enroute to the Finals. Returning to the Hurricanes in 2017, on September 13, 2018, Williams was named as the team’s captain. On October 8, 2020, he announced his retirement from professional hockey after a 19-season NHL career and in 2024, he was inducted into the Carolina Hurricanes Hall of Fame. Despite all of his success, Justin has never forgotten where he came from, fundraising money for Northumberland Hills Hospital, lending his name and time to local youth hockey camps, and most notably, bringing the Stanley Cup to Cobourg in 2006 and in 2014; and sharing it with our community.

Dick Turpin was a quiet man, a simple man, and certainly not one given to braggadocio, but when he walked down King Street in Downtown Cobourg, one couldn’t help but be aware of the impact he had on our community. Whether it was bumping into a countless number of his former players on the street, or the constant stream of yells that came from those driving past him in their cars, he was always greeted with the one moniker that suited him best and the one that he appreciated the most … “Coach”. Over the course of over thirty years spent coaching and mentoring hundreds of players in the Cobourg Legion Minor Softball League, as well as serving in an executive role, Dick spent countless hours on and off the diamond teaching his charges the fine art of softball and lessons in life. A well respected and talented player in his own right on the local ball scene, well versed in the art of laying down a bunt and using his speed to make his mark, his dedication to Cobourg Legion Minor Softball was complete. Dick took just as much pride in driving the Fire Engine in the annual Summer Sports Parade as he did in coaching the 1967  Winchester Juveniles to an OASA championship, and the 1968 Hillier’s Juniors to a provincial championship, to name but two of his many championship teams. In 1993, the OASA recognized Dick’s contributions by awarding him the F.R. Feaver Memorial Trophy for his outstanding contribution to the game of Softball. In addition, Cobourg Legion Minor Softball created the Dick Turpin Award, which was awarded annually to the player that best exemplified Sportsmanship and Dedication. Running concurrently with his involvement with local softball, Dick starred in the Cobourg Men’s Bowling League, excelling in 5-pin. Dick Turpin loved his family, his community, the game of softball, and the kids that he coached; all of which were a little richer because of him.

Denine Page began her figure skating career at the age of seven, and just two years later she performed her first “solo” at the Cobourg Figure Skating Club’s Annual Skating Show “Carnival”. By the age of twelve Denine was skating seven days a week, spreading her time between her home club in Cobourg and the Oshawa and Belleville Skating Clubs (where she would also skate as a featured soloist during their annual shows, oftentimes as the youngest performer on the ice). This demanding routine would continue for the next few years. Doing everything to maximize her ability as a figure skater she travelled to skating schools throughout the province and beyond; East York, Brantford and in the summer of 1969 the Banff School of Fine Arts, where she attended classes to improve her skills, such as ballet. Over the course of her own skating career, she passed an astounding twenty-four Skate Canada Dance Tests in addition to four Free Skate Tests. In 1973, Denine graduated High School and began working for her father at the Colborne Lumber Company and with the Cobourg YMCA on Saturday’s coaching Gymnastics. Still skating, she was also hired by the Cobourg Figure Skating Club to coach in the evenings and on the weekends during the winter months, which eventually forced her to focus her time and efforts on coaching and leading her to join the YMCA on a full-time basis. At the same time, in 1975,  Denine was approached by a group of parents in the Baltimore area to solicit her help in launching their own Figure Skating Club. Denine took the lead in communicating with Skate Canada to get sanctioning for the new club, which was given full sanction in 1976 and Denine has been a volunteer with the Baltimore Figure Skating Club ever since, continuing to spend countless hours of her time spearheading the organization. As a coach Denine has received 67 certifications, and has seen a number of “her” skaters qualify to compete at the All-Ontario Championships. Her impact on our local figure skating scene over close to six decades has been enormous and her impact on so many prospective figure skaters in that time has been immeasurable, providing a lifetime of cherished memories for so many.

One would be hard pressed to detail the history of the Cobourg Men's Town (Fastball) League without devoting a chapter (and probably two) to the accomplishments of Craig Minifie. Possessing a rare combination of power-hitting and defensive prowess, in the forty-eight-year history of the league he is the All-Time Leader in Hits (473), Runs (288), Home Runs (65), Doubles (68), and RBI's (274) while ranking third All-Time in Games Played (471). Adding 7 Cobourg Town League Championships along the way, Craig was awarded the league's Most Valuable Player Trophy on five separate occasions in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, and 2000, all while playing for the Grafton Jays. Craig's talent and accomplishments were not limited to the Cobourg Town League – far from it. At the same time that Craig played in the Town League he also played in the Port Hope – Cobourg Industrial League and the Hamilton Township League, and one year in the Peterborough City League, where he won a Championship. With that schedule it often saw him play at least five Fastball games a week, and at multiple positions, from the pitching mound, to the infield and the outfield. In 1981 Craig was chosen by the Hamilton Township League as the player best combining sportsmanship and ability, and was given the Perc Baker Memorial Trophy. Beyond our area, Craig starred for the Rutherflo team that won the 1994 Men's Intermediate B Championship, the 1995 Men's Intermediate A Championship, the 1997 NAFA World Series AA Championship (where he was named to the All-World Team), the 1998 Eastern Canadian Intermediate B Championship, and the 1999 Eastern Canadian Men's Intermediate A Championship. With Colborne's Master Team, Craig added to his already extensive trophy case, winning the Canadian Master's Championship in 2004 and 2005 and the Provincial Master's Championship in 2006. He then joined the Cobourg Force and won the Ontario Master's Championships in 2007 and 2008. In 2014 he helped the Cobourg Force win the 2014 ISC World Over 50 Tournament. The Force also won the 2015 the ASA Master's Championship where Craig was named to the All-American team as well as leading the tournament in home runs. In 2017, three years later, Craig received the honour of being elected to the Ontario Master's (Fastball) Hall of Fame.

When Lionel Gutteridge passed away in 1991, Layton Dodge paid tribute to him in the pages of the Cobourg Daily Star, writing that “Gutteridge leaves an indelible mark on the fabric of sport in our town … it was his efforts as a volunteer administrator that set him apart from the crowd and led to his touching a lot of people”. A lifelong resident of our community (with the notable exception of his military service in the Second World War) “Tut’s” list of positions and contributions as a volunteer is immense. A founding member of Cobourg Legion Minor Softball in 1957, he also served as the association’s first-ever President in 1960, and for over twenty years as their Equipment Manager. His time and administrative talents were not limited to our town’s diamonds; as he was also an executive member of the Cobourg Community Hockey League, including serving as CCHL President, while acting as a referee and later in life, alongside his wife Gladys, as the Gatekeeper for Cobourg Cougars home games. In recognition of his years of volunteer service he was recognized with the Cobourg Legion Branch 133 Certificate of Merit (for 30 years of service to minor sport), was bestowed the status of Lifetime Member of both Cobourg Legion Minor Softball and the Cobourg Community Hockey League, which named their Coach-of-the-Year (House League) trophy in his honour. It should also be noted that he was a skilled golfer, claiming the Dalewood Golf and Country Club’s Senior Championship six times (in the first nine years of the event). A month after his passing, and acting upon a suggestion by Layton Dodge, the name of the park that was located beside his home, formerly known as the Stuart Street Park was formally renamed the “Lionel “Tut” Gutteridge Memorial Park. “In his later years, when the existing Legion softball executive purposely avoided assigning him any specific duties because of his personal health problems, Tut was miffed,” wrote Layton after his passing. “Even then, he still wanted to contribute. That’s the kind of doer he truly was. To the very end, we respected “Tut” Gutteridge for all he accomplished and what he stood for. We were proud to consider him a friend. We shall miss him. Cobourg will seem a little poorer, a little emptier now that he has gone to a better place – but his legacy will live on here forever”. 

In the long history of sports in our community few people were as memorable or as beloved as Bill Elliott. He was known by everyone who crossed his path as “Cowboy”. Moving to the area in 1964 to take on a new job, “Cowboy”, who spent his youth near Ivey, Ontario playing Baseball in the summer and Hockey in the winter, went looking around for a team to play on. Soon he gravitated towards a fastball team in the Cobourg Town League in need of a catcher, which in turn led him to the Cobourg Mercantile Hockey League where he tended goal. “Cowboy” would become a fixture of both leagues for the next three decades as well as in too numerous to count dart leagues, bowling teams, horseshoe and golf tournaments. In demand as a Fastball Catcher, he played for the Oshawa Tony’s team that won a Senior A Men’s Fastball title in 1978. Two years later he was a part of the Cold Springs Cats team that won a Senior A Provincial Championship and then finished in fourth place at the Nationals in Saskatchewan, where “Cowboy” set a record for most put outs in one day. He also played with the Masters Version of the Cold Springs Cats that won three consecutive Canadian Men’s Fastball titles in 1995, 1996, and 1997. For many however, Bill will always be remembered as a tireless advocate for sports in our community and his fundraising skills were legendary. Wherever “Cowboy” was a 50/50 draw ticket or a charitable Euchre tournament were never far behind. Over the years, he raised thousands of dollars for local hockey teams, baseball teams, various community causes, and for those individuals in need. The words “no” and “can’t” were not in his vocabulary and more often than not he wouldn’t wait for someone else to take the initiative on a pressing need, especially when he could fill that role. In 2021, Bill was recognized for all of his work through the years with Cobourg’s Citizen of the Year Award, a fitting tribute for a man who gave so much of himself – his talent, his energy, and above all, his time – to our community.

Chances are that if you played a competitive game of basketball in the last 5 decades either locally, provincially, or at the national level Bruce Covert refereed one of your games. After playing both football and basketball at C.D.C.I. East for 5 years, Bruce, a lifelong resident of our community, turned his sporting attentions to the officiating side of the game which has resulted in a distinguished 50-year career. Locally Bruce was one of the founding members of the Cobourg Board of Basketball Officials. Over the years he has not only officiated but served in a variety of executive roles as well. Provincially Bruce was member of the OUA Basketball Panel for 30 years; a designated crew chief for 24 of them. He refereed more than 600 OUA league and exhibition games, more than 75 OUA playoff games and 12 Wilson Cup games (OUA Men’s Provincial Championship). He has officiated for 40 years in the OCAA and worked 4 OCAA Men’s Provincial Championships. Bruce officiated 10 OFSAA High School Championships. Nationally Bruce officiated 16 Championship tournaments: 14 U Sport Men’s, 1 Premier Men, 1 Premier Women, officiating 4 Gold Medal Games and 2 Consolation Finals. As well from 2010-2016 he had a 6 year stint with the National Basketball League of Canada. Internationally Bruce was an official at the 1985 World Masters Games in Toronto. For 10 years he refereed games involving Canada vs other countries traveling throughout Ontario. As well he officiated the Iqaluit Aboriginal Games, the Barbados Invitational, and the Nassau Bombay Shootout. In 2012 he was only the 7th Canadian official to be awarded IAABO Life Membership. In addition to his on-court work Bruce has served as an OUA supervisor, a provincial and national evaluator, and most importantly, as a mentor to fellow officials. For 25 years Bruce was the director of all OABO summer camps, training more than 1000 OABO officials, including over 90% of the current OUA and OCAA officials in Ontario, plus countless other officials from outside of the province. Bruce has left an indelible imprint on the sport of Basketball in Ontario. In 2016, Bruce was the recipient of the John A. (Wink) Willox Award from the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials in recognition of “outstanding contributions made to basketball and basketball officiating”. He also received the Ontario Association of Basketball Officials Life Membership. The highest award the association can give.

Referred to by Ron MacLean as Cobourg’s “Ms. Everything”, Jen has devoted a large part of her life to sports in our community; first as a player, and then as coach, a teacher, an executive member, a trusted mentor to so many, and as a tireless volunteer to countless teams, sporting organizations and athletic events. Jennifer first distinguished herself on the local sporting scene when she joined an All-Star Fastball team sponsored by Cobourg Tony’s Pizza. In 1977, that team captured the Ontario Bantam B Championship. In 1980, Jen began her 11-year stint with the renowned Cobourg Angels, helping them to win 4 Ontario Championships. She started her rep hockey career in Cobourg and then joined the Rice Lake Rebels, winning 2 Provincial OWHA Championships with them during the 1980’s. After graduating from C.D.C.I. West in 1982, where she was valedictorian, Jennifer attended the University of Toronto where she graduated with both Physical and Health Education and Teaching Degrees. During her five years at U of T, Jen played Varsity Hockey with the Lady Blues and won four OUAA (Provincial) championships. She also rowed varsity in her first year. Since then, she has won 8 more Provincial OWHA hockey Championships with Cobourg teams (4 as player; 4 as coach). Jen has coached hockey for over 30 years, as well as many other sports including track & field, fastpitch, basketball and more. Her CCI girl’s team earned the OFSAA Sportsmanship Award in 2016 and finished 4th in the Province. In Master Sports, she has been a three-time Gold Medalist in Women’s Softball at the World Master Games with the Canadian Free Spirits (Australia, Italy, New Zealand), won an Ontario 55+ Provincial Hockey Championship, won 3 track and field golds at the 2024 Canada 55+ Games (shot put, discus, and javelin), was the 2024 Ontario Masters Throws Triathlon Champion, and won a Masters Women’s slo-pitch provincial championship. She has also competed provincially in broomball and volleyball. Jennifer has volunteered her time for countless events, initiatives, and executive boards. Some of her proudest moments have been her major volunteer roles at events like the Parapan Am Games, Invictus Games, World Jr. A Challenge, RBC Cup, 55+ Ontario Games, OFSAA officiating and more. In 2015, she was presented Cobourg’s “Layton Dodge Athletic Award” for her “contribution to Cobourg’s Athletic Community in terms of skill, sportsmanship, participation, and leadership”