John McCann

Softball/Hockey

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John McCann has lived in Barrie for over 50 years and has been a valued contributor to the local sports and community service clubs.

McCann played his minor hockey in Barrie and was an all-star softball player at both the Intermediate League level and the Senior League level. It was his love of the game that led him to be instrumental in starting youth fastball teams in Barrie. Many of his players went on to successful playing careers at the Intermediate and Senior levels in Barrie and across the province. He both coached and played for winning Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) teams. McCann was Chairman of the Barrie Labour Day Fastball Tournament for 12 years. This event brought world class fastball players to the city.

McCann was also a successful Barrie Minor hockey coach at the AA and AAA level, for 14 years. On two occasions his teams won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Championship. The Bantam team went on to compete in the prestigious Loblaws Cup a tournament to determine Ontario Bantam Hockey championship.

His involvement with hockey didn’t stop with coaching. He was on the executive of the BMHA for 10 years. McCann was also President of the Junior B Barrie Colts for seven years. This organization was considered to be one of the premiere organizations in the province at the time, winning four championships. In 1972, John was awarded the William H. Wright trophy for Service in the City of Barrie. In 1980, McCann was presented with the Barrie Minor Hockey Award for outstanding commitment to BMHA. He was also the recipient of the 2013 Barrie Sports Hall of Fame’s John Crawley Local Lifetime Achievement Award.

McCann was the Co-Chair of the Fundraising Committee for the Allandale Recreation Centre (ARC). He spent numerous hours raising money to help this facility become a reality. The Barrie Sports Hall of Fame has already inducted figure skaters, swimmers and hockey players that benefited from the ARC.

Along with his countless number of volunteer hours to the sporting community in Barrie, McCann was also involved with the Jaycees Club of Barrie and helped with the Barrie Winter Carnival and the Barrie Santa Claus Parade over the years.