Tara Jeffrey
The Sarnia Sting Hockey Club officially launched its Hall of Fame project this week, including the announcement of the inaugural class of 2023.
“As an organization we feel it is time we honour great players and instrumental leaders of our past,” said Sarnia Sting president Bill Abercrombie, pointing to Robert Ciccarelli, Jon Sim and Trevor Letowski, who will be honoured prior to the club's home game on March 3, 2023, against the London Knights.
“This club has been a part of our community for nearly 30 years now and we really want to highlight those who we consider to be all time Sarnia Sting legends.
“The Sarnia Sting would not be here if it were not for Rob and his family and in Jon and Trevor we really feel like they were our first home grown stars of our early years.”
Cicccarelli, a local businessman and philanthropist, was the original owner and governor of the club beginning in 1994. Along with brothers Larry and Dino, “his vision would ultimately lead to the building of a new Sports and Entertainment Facility in 1998,” the Sting noted. He was awarded the OHL Executive of the Year in 1999-2000.
Sim, who played for the Sting from 1994 to 1998, "was the most prolific goal scorer in the franchise’s early years in Sarnia and today remains its all-time leader in points and goals,” the club added. “Sim would impressively score 56 goals in back-to-back seasons and was the OHL goal scoring leader in the 1996-97 season.
“Following his prolific junior career, Sim would go on to a very successful professional career that would see him play 12 seasons in the NHL winning a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars as well as championships in the AHL and DEL.”
Letowski, who played for the Sting from 1994 to 1997, and also served as coach from 2010 to 2015, was originally selected by the Sting in the 8th round of its original 1994 draft class. He would go on to make the club out of camp and be named Rookie of the Year.
In 1997 he would become the first member of the hockey club to represent Canada at the World Junior Tournament, ultimately returning home with Gold.
“Following a successful professional career, Letowski returned to the club serving as an Assistant Coach from 2010 to 2013 and ultimately would be promoted to its Head Coach for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons.”
The construction of the Hall is set to begin this off-season and will be located in the southwest corner of Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
The Hall of Fame will showcase photos, video, articles, and memorabilia from the club’s history as well as a wall dedicated to distinguished members of the organization’s history who have played a major part in its growth both and off the ice, the club noted in a news release.
“These individuals will be honoured each season during a select home game with an on-ice pregame induction ceremony.”
Fans with vintage Sarnia Sting photos and memorabilia that may have a place in the Hall of Fame are encouraged to reach out to marketing director Jake Bourrie at [email protected] or manager, hockey operations Mark Glavin at [email protected].