Our Full Celebrity Roster
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Gerry Cheevers
Biography
Gerry ‘Cheesy’ Cheevers (HHOF ’85) was the net minder for the Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972. Originally a Maple Leaf, Toronto relegated Cheevers to a back-up role behind the great Johnny Bower. Picked up by Boston in 1965, Cheevers became the regular goaltender and was often left to his own devices, as the entire Boston team liked to play on the fore check. He was one of the first to regularly wear the goalie mask and would famously paint stitches on it, much to the ire of coach Harry Sinden. In 1972, Cheevers signed a seven-year WHA contract with the Cleveland Crusaders, which actually lasted less than four. Cheevers finished his career back in Boston as one of the greatest goalies of his era.
Chris Chelios
Biography
One of hockey’s greatest defensemen, Chris Chelios played 1651 NHL games over 25 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Redwings and the Atlanta Thrashers. Born in Chicago and raised in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Chelios moved with his family to San Diego as a teenager where he graduated from Mira Mesa Senior High School. After high school, Chelios would play briefly for San Diego’s United States International University before moving to Saskatchewan where he would play 3 seasons for the Moose Jaw Canucks of the SJHL. After his final season with Moose Jaw, the Montreal Canadiens drafted Chelios in the 2nd round of the 1981 NHL Draft. After being drafted by the Canadiens, Chelios played 2 years of college hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers before playing for team USA in the 1984 Olympics. After the Olympics, Chelios joined the Canadiens for the conclusion of the 1983/84 season, appearing in 12 regular season games and 16 playoff games. As a rookie in 1984/85, Chelios scored 64 points in 74 games and added 10 points in 9 playoff appearances. His strong rookie season earned him a 2nd place finish in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy, as the NHL top rookie, behind Mario Lemieux. Chelios would enjoy 5 more seasons with Montreal, where he played an integral part in Montreal’s 1986 Stanley Cup Championship and Chelios would win his first Norris Trophy as the NHL best defenseman in 1989. Traded to his hometown Chicago Blackhawks in the summer of 1990, Chelios would play 9 seasons in the Windy City. While continuing to put up big numbers, Chelios helped lead the Blackhawks to the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals, ultimately losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Chelios also won his 2nd and 3rd Norris Trophies in 1993 and 1996 as a member of the Blackhawks. Also in 1996, Chelios served as an alternate captain for Team USA for the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, during which he helped lead the United States to victory and Chelios was named to the All-Tournament Team. Chelios also served as Chicago’s captain from 1995 until he was traded to the Detroit Redwings on March 23rd, 1999. Despite not joining the Red Wings until age 37, Chelios continued to play at a high level. During the 2001/02 sesson, Chelios led the NHL with a +40 rating, and was named to the NHL’s First All-Star team at the age 40. During that same season, Chelios captained team USA at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, and was subsequently named to the tournament’s All-Star team at the conclusion of the Olympics Games. Upon returning to Detroit, Chelios played an integral role in the Red Wings 2002 Stanley Cup championship. Chelios would return to the Olympics in 2006, where he would again captain Team USA in Torino. At the conclusion of the 2006 NHL season, Chelios became the NHL’s active leader in games played after the retirement of teammate Steve Yzerman. Chelios would hit several milestones during the 2007/08 season, becoming the 2nd oldest player in NHL history (behind Gordie Howe), appearing in a record setting 248th playoff games and becoming the oldest player to win the Stanley Cup after Detroit defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins to claim the 2008 Stanley Cup. Chelios would return for 1 last season with the Red Wings in 2008/2009, before signing with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, then the affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers. With the Thrashers making a push for the playoffs, they recalled Chelios to provide veteran leadership to a young team. Chelios would appear in 7 games with the Thrashers, before the team was eliminated from playoff contention. That 2009/10 season would prove to be the last, as Chelios retired at season’s end.
Don Cherry
Biography
Always controversial, yet beloved by hockey fans everywhere, Don Cherry is the heart, soul and face of Hockey Night in Canada’s Coach’s Corner. Like many great coaches, Cherry had a less-than stellar playing career in various minor leagues. After coaching in Rochester, the Boston Bruins hired Cherry as head coach in 1974. He led them for 5 seasons, bringing them to the finals two years in a row and picking up a Jack Adams trophy for NHL Coach of the Year (1976). After a mediocre year as coach of the Colorado Rockies, CBC executives witnessed a chance appearance on CBC in 1980. Coach’s Corner was born…
David Chilton
Biography
A financial planner and publishing company owner from Waterloo, Ontario, David Chilton’s career took off by self-publishing The Wealthy Barber in 1989. Written in 26 months, The Wealthy Barber targets those who lack investment experience to get them to develop good money managing habits. One of the best selling Canadian books of all time, The Wealthy Barber has seen over 2 million copies sold since it’s release. As a publisher, Chilton has corroborated with authors Greta and Janet Podleski, to many of their cookbooks. After the 2008 financial crisis, Chilton wrote a sequel to The Wealthy Barber, titled The Wealthy Barber Returns. The book is designed to help those who suffered a financial setback recover financially. In recent years, Chilton has been seen on The Hour and Dragons Den, both on CBC Television.
George Chuvalo
Biography
The greatest Canadian Heavyweight of all-time, George Chuvalo is still standing despite deep personal tragedy. He fought all of the world’s greatest fighters of his era – Ali, Foreman, Frazier — and was NEVER knocked down. After going toe-to-toe with Chuvalo, Ali remarked that he was “the toughest man I ever fought.” Chuvalo finished with a record of 73 wins (64 KOs), 18 losses and 2 draws. However, Chuvalo paid a terrible price – he lost two sons to drug addiction, as well as another son and his wife to drugs. Chuvalo now speaks around the globe on the dangers of drugs and drug addiction. For his work, he was awarded the Order of Canada in 1998. (Cdn. Sports HOF ’90)
Dino Ciccarelli
Biography
Dino Ciccarelli burst on to the NHL scene in 1981 when he dominated the playoffs for the Minnesota North Stars, scoring 14 goals in 21 games. In his next season, he scored a career-high 106 points with 55 goals. Ciccarelli loved to park himself in front of opposing nets, cementing his reputation as a gritty, aggressive player who absorbed an inordinate amount of punishment. He went on to play for the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Wrapping up his career in 1999, Ciccarelli is 47th on the all-time points list and 17th on the all-time goal list.
Wendel Clark
Biography
A star junior hockey defenceman with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, Clark was a member of Canada’s gold medal winning team at the 1985 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[1] Clark was converted to forward after he was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. His professional career lasted from 1985 until 2000, during which time he played for the Maple Leafs (during three separate stretches), Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.
Bobby Clarke
Biography
One of Canada’s greatest players, Bobby Clarke (HHOF ’87) almost wasn’t drafted. Because he was diabetic, many teams feared that his health would be a hindrance to his performance. However, the Philadelphia Flyers took a chance and made sure that he followed a strict diet. By his third year, Clarke scored 81 points and drew the attention of Team Canada. A key motivator during the 1972 Summit Series, Clarke became the leader of the Philadelphia Flyers and led them to consecutive Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. Some say that he was a ruffian but Clarke was a goal scorer and one of the best body checkers ever. A three-time Hart Trophy winner (1973, 1974, 1976), Clarke served as the general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers from 1994 to 2006, and is currently Senior Vice-President of the team.
Bill Clement
Biography
A late bloomer who started as a goalie at eight years of age, Bill Clement didn’t become a position player until he was 12. Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1970, Clement won back-to-back Stanley Cups before Philly traded him to Washington for Mel Bridgman. He then moved from Washington to the Atlanta Flames after only a season. He spent five seasons there and followed the Flames to Calgary for another two. After 11 seasons in the NHL, Clement amassed 356 points in 719 games. Following his playing career, Clement became a prominent broadcaster, having worked for networks such as ESPN and NBC. From 1986 to 2007, Clement has been the voice for at least one game of every Stanley Cup Final. In addition to working NHL games, Clement has also done five Olympic Games and appeared in more than 300 different advertisements.
Mike “Pinball” Clemons
Biography
Renowned as one of pro football’s most electrifying players, Toronto Argonauts Vice-Chair Michael “Pinball” Clemons is the CFL’s all-time all purpose yardage leader. However, in addition to his outstanding athletic ability, it is his exceptional character that makes him a remarkable fan favourite. Michael’s tireless community involvement and participation in charitable causes exemplify the qualities he possesses. A captivating and empowering speaker, he inspires his audiences by illustrating what is possible and what it means to beat the odds. Pinball communicates his heartfelt stories with a passionate spirit and his patented, contagious smile. Organizations respond to his presentations with rave reviews and overwhelming enthusiasm.
Karen Cockburn
Biography
4-time trampoline gymnast Olympian Karen Cockburn competed in her first Olympics at the 2000 Sydney Games at the age of 19. As Canada sole female competitor and the youngest female athlete in her discipline, she came home with a Bronze Medal. Cockburn continued her Olympic success 4 years later in Athens, when she won a Silver Medal. Prior to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Cockburn injured her knee shortly before the Olympic Qualifier. Deciding to delay surgery until after the Olympics, Cockburn trained and prepared herself through great pain. Her effort resulted in a Silver Medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. At the 2012 London Olympic Games, Cockburn won her 4th Olympic Medal and her 3rd Silver Medal.
Paul Coffey
Biography
Coffey was drafted 6th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He blossomed in the 1981–82 season, scoring 89 points and was named a Second-Team NHL All-Star. In the Oilers’ first Stanley Cup-winning season, 1983–84, he became only the second defenceman in NHL history to score 40 goals in a season. He won his first James Norris Trophy in 1984–85 while posting 121 points. On December 26, 1984 in a game against the Calgary Flames, Coffey became the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in one game.
Craig Conroy
Biography
Craig Conroy is a former NHL hockey player and currently the Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League. A sixth round selection of the Montreal Canadiens at the 1990 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, Conroy played 1,009 NHL games for the Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings during a professional career that spanned from 1994 to 2011. Internationally, he twice played with the United States National Team – at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006 Winter Olympics. Developed as a defensive specialist through much of his career, Conroy was twice a finalist for the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward and was nominated for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as its most gentlemanly player. He played over 1,000 games in the NHL and was the second oldest player in league history to reach that milestone. Conroy, who enjoyed his greatest offensive seasons with the Flames, is a former captain of the team and was twice honored by the organization for his leadership, dedication and humanitarian efforts.
Jon Cornish
Biography
Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Jon Cornish attended St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby, where he participated in football, basketball and track & field. In football, Cornish rushed for 3200 yards and scored 49 touchdowns in his 3-year high school football career. Cornish is also credited with 152 career tackles and holds St. Thomas More Collegiate’s record with 37 quarterback sacks. In his senior year of high school, Cornish was named the British Columbia Football Player of the Year. Cornish would play college football at the University of Kansas. After redshirting as a freshman and seeing limited playing time as a sophomore, Cornish made noise in his junior season, leading Kansas with 780 total yards, 9 rushing touchdowns while averaging 65 rushing yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry. As a senior, Cornish bumped his performance up another notch, rushing for 1457 yards, making him the University of Kansas’ all-time single season rushing leader. Cornish averaged 8 yards per carry and rushing for 8 touchdowns. Cornish would finish 1st in the Big 12 Conference in rushing yards and 9th in NCAA Division 1 Football. Undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, Cornish signed with the Calgary Stampeders, whom had previously selected him in the 2006 CFL Draft. Cornish was a member of the Stampeders 2008 Grey Cup winning team. In 2012, Cornish’s first full year as a starter for the Stampeders, he rushed 1457 rushing yard, breaking Normie Kwong’s 56 year old record for most rushing yards by a Canadian. At season’s end, Cornish won the 1st of his 3 consecutive CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award. The 2013 season marked a career year for Cornish, rushing for 1813 yards. He won the CFL’s Outstanding Canadian of the Week honor 7 times, with 4 of them being consecutive. He also set career highs with 12 rushing touchdowns and 42 receptions. At the end of the season, Cornish would become the third Canadian ever to win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award and would also win the Lou Marsh Award as the top Canadian Athlete. Despite being limited by injuries in the 2014 season, Cornish still led the CFL with 1082 rushing yards, despite only playing in 9 of 18 of Calgary’s game. Cornish would also win his 2nd career Grey Cup as a member of the Stampeders.
Shayne Corson
Biography
Born in Barrie, Ontario, Corson was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (eighth overall) of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Shayne Corson captained two NHL teams during his 19 season professional career. He has also played for Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, Team Canada, World Juniors, World Cup of Hockey, and 1998 Winter Olympics. Corson represented his teams three times at the NNL All-Star Game having scored 693 points and earning 2357 penalty minutes during his 1156 game regular season NHL career. In addition, he scored 87 points and earned 291 penalty minutes in 140 playoff games.
Fred Couples
Biography
Fred couples learned the game of golf at Jefferson Park Golf Course, located not far from his childhood home in Seattle, Washington. After graduating high school, Couples attended the University of Houston on a golf scholarship. While in Houston, Couples was roommates with fellow future PGA Tour member Blaine McCallister and future CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz. In 1983, Couples recorded his first career PGA Tour victory, winning the Kemper Open at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Throughout his career, Couples has recorded 15 victories on the PGA Tour, including The Players Championship in 984 and 1996 and the 1992 Masters. Couples has won the PGA Player of The Year Award 2 times (1991, 1992), 2 Vardon Trophies (1991, 1992) and is a 3 time winner of the Byron Nelson Award on The Champions Tour (2010, 2012, 2013). Couples currently resides in Newport Beach, California.
Yvan Cournoyer
Biography
Nicknamed the Roadrunner, Yvan Cournoyer (HHOF ’82) is one of the most prolific scorers ever to wear le bleu, blanc et rouge. His speed came from legs that were so big, he needed specially tailored pants at 18 years old. Debuting in 1963, he finally became a bench regular in 1968 – even though he earned three Stanley Cups in the meantime. After winning three more cups (1968, 1969, 1971), Cournoyer played for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series. Returning to the North America, his Canadiens went on to win the cup yet again and Cournoyer won the Conn Smythe trophy for playoff MVP. In 1975, he became team captain and led his team to three more consecutive championships before a bad back forced him to retire after 15 glorious seasons. He is sixth on Montreal’s all-time scoring list, including fourth for goals and third for playoff goals.
Geoff Courtnall
Biography
A late bloomer who caught the eye of NHL scouts during an extra season of junior hockey, Geoff Courtnall signed with the Boston Bruins in 1983 as a free agent. He cracked the line-up the next season and played for Boston until 1988, when he moved to the Edmonton Oilers just before the playoffs. Ironically, Courtnall ended up defeating his old team in the Stanley Cup finals (1988). His stay in Edmonton was over by the summer and he moved on to Washington for three seasons. Playing for Vancouver and St. Louis, Courtnall finished his 17-year NHL career with 908 total points…not bad for someone who was never drafted and never supposed to play!
Russ Courtnall
Biography
Russ Courtnall was Toronto’s first draft pick in 1982. Incredibly fast (some say one of the fastest skaters ever), Mike Nykoluk called up Courtnall to play for a goal-starved Maple Leaf team in the following season. He played for the 1984 Canadian Olympic team in Sarajevo and for the Maple Leafs for five more seasons before they traded him to Montreal for John Kordic. Courtnall’s flashy Cournoyer-esque style made him a fan favourite and helped the Habs reach the 1989 Stanley Cup finals. He moved to Minnesota in 1992, followed the Stars to Dallas and finished his career off in Vancouver (playing with his brother Geoff) and Los Angeles. Over 15 seasons, Courtnall amassed 744 points.
Bob Cowan
Biography
As co-host of CH Morning Live (in Hamilton), Bob Cowan uses his unique brand of humour to help the GTA start its day. A former host of Global’s Inside Entertainment, Cowan brings a wealth of journalistic and speaking experience. He is the honourary chair for City Kidz, an organization dedicated to making a difference in Canada’s urban neighbourhoods. Cowan is an excellent speaker who blends humour, knowledge and compassion.