Little NHL Hall of Fame inducts 15 new members

March 11, 2024

Dan Frawley, a member of Nipissing First Nation, is inducted into the Little NHL Hall of Fame in the Alumni category.

By Sam Laskaris

MARKHAM – Three former National Hockey League (NHL) players are among the latest class of Little NHL Hall of Fame inductees.

A total of 15 inductees were recognized at the Little NHL gala staged Mar. 9 at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa.

Dan Frawley, a member of Nipissing First Nation, and Jason Simon, a member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, were both inducted via the Alumni category.

And Reggie Leach, a longtime resident of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, was inducted through the Friends of the Little NHL category.

The gala was held in conjunction with the Little NHL tournament, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. A record 245 squads are participating in this year’s event.

Games, which will primarily be held in Markham, begin today (Mar. 11) and continue until Mar. 14.

“This tournament meant so much to me growing up,” said Frawley, who went on to play 264 NHL games. “Even though I was playing travel hockey, the opportunity to play in the Little NHL was great because I got to play with my cousins, my family, and play in front of them. And I realized that there were a lot of [Indigenous] people playing hockey.”

Frawley, who is 61, said he was pleased to be included in this year’s Hall of Fame class during the tournament’s golden anniversary.

“It’s nice that we have a big group going in there this year,” he said. “I’m getting older so I’m happy they did it now.”

Jason Simon, a member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, was inducted via the Alumni category.

Simon, 54, also has fond memories of participating in the Little NHL.

“I’m pretty sure I played five or six times, from the time I was about six until I was about 12,” he said.

Simon said he represented teams from his First Nation when it was called Chippewas of Sarnia First Nation. He also competed for squads representing Walpole Island First Naton and Kettle & Stony Point First Nation.

“To be honoured and be in the Little NHL Hall of Fame is amazing,” said Simon, who went on to play four games with the NHL’s New York Islanders and one more in the league with the then Phoenix Coyotes during his lengthy pro career, primarily spent in various minor leagues. “I’m very grateful for being recognized as a boy growing up and playing in the Little NHL and went on have his dreams come true.”

Reggie Leach, a longtime resident of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, was inducted through the Friends of the Little NHL category.

Leach, a member of the 1975 Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers, has been attending the Little NHL for more than two decades now.

“I’ve been here for so many years and all the people that are involved with the Little NHL, they’re all like brothers and sisters to me,” Leach said. “And for me to be inducted into such a great, great tournament, one of the best tournaments in Canada, I believe that it’s better than getting into the (Hockey) Hall of Fame.”

The other inductees via the Alumni category were Jeanette Bondy (Wasauksing First Nation), Ember Wynne (Red Rock Indian Band), and Robert Restoule (Dokis First Nation). Wynne and Restoule were inducted posthumously.

Meanwhile, those inducted through the Builders category included Chico Ralf (Wasauksing First Nation), Ron Peltier (Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory), Tim McGregor (Whitefish River First Nation), and Marvin Assinewai (Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation).