These Sporting Greats were inducted
on April 27, 2019.
ATHLETES
Jack Manson
Jack Manson is being
inducted into the Wetaskiwin & County Sports Hall of Fame for his
special achievements in the sport of hockey. Jack played goalie for two
outstanding and historic Edmonton hockey teams, the Edmonton Flyers,
winners of the 1948-49 Allan Cup and the Edmonton Mercurys, winners of
the 1950 World Championship. As a goalie for both teams, Jack
has been inducted into the Alberta Sports
Hall of Fame (Flyers-2005, Mercurys-2011), the Alberta Hockey Hall of
Fame (F-2013, M-2007) and the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame (F-2001,
M-1995). Jack has the distinction of being the only hockey player of
his era that was a member of both of these famous Edmonton amateur
hockey teams. In his 93rd year, Jack is now receiving the
individual recognition he deserves for his amazing hockey
accomplishments.
Blaine Kjorlien has always
had a passion for sports. He was born in Wetaskiwin and grew up
involved in a variety of community and school sports including hockey,
fastball, football and wrestling. It wasn’t until high school and
university that Blaine really excelled as an athlete. He gained renown
and success in both football and wrestling at Camrose Lutheran College
and in wrestling at the University of Alberta. Blaine's passion for
sport continued into his teaching career where he was a successful and
influential coach in football and wrestling at Wetaskiwin Composite High
School. Because of his impressive athletic and coaching accomplishments Blaine is indeed worthy of
this induction.
Bill Mojelski has been
involved in Wetaskiwin sports and recreation as a coach, referee,
volunteer and historian since he moved to Wetaskiwin in 1963 and began
teaching at Wetaskiwin High School. For fifty-six years he has spent
hours volunteering his time and effort in our community. Bill operates
on the premise “if it isn’t recorded it didn’t happen” and to this end
he has worked tirelessly documenting Wetaskiwin and Wetaskiwin County’s
sporting history, producing two research documents, written the
nomination materials and anecdotal notes for numerous teams and
individuals and helped in developing the goals
and directions for our board. Bill’s contributions to our community make him more
than worthy of this induction.
1998 Wetaskiwin Warlords
- Special Olympics Slo-Pitch Team
The Wetaskiwin Warlords
were a Special Olympics team that was organized for a couple of years in
order to play ball in the St. Paul Alberta’s Special Olympics Annual
Tournament. Teams from all over the province and even other provinces
competed at this tournament. After the first year of participating in
St Paul and realizing how much fun it was, two teams from Wetaskiwin
attended the tournament the second year, an “A” team and a “B” team.
It was in the second year that the “A” team garnered success with some
rather accomplished athletes. The “A” team won the tournament and both
teams had a great, fun-filled experience. A couple of weeks after the
tournament Special Olympics Alberta informed the Warlords that because
of their win they were chosen to be Team Alberta at a national
tournament in Surrey BC.
