1959 Belleville McFarlands to be inducted into Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

Photo Courtesy of Community Archives of Belleville & Hastings County Flickr

The City of Belleville is pleased to learn that the 1959 Belleville McFarlands hockey team will be inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame during their 2023 Induction Ceremony and Community Celebration in Toronto next October.

The Ontario Sports Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding achievements of athletes from across the province throughout the years. There will be a total of twelve elected into the “Class of 2023” which include athletes, builders, media and sports personalities.

This is only the third time in the history of the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame that a hockey team has been inducted. The McFarlands will join previous inductees, the 1958 Whitby Dunlops and 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs, in this outstanding honour.

“It is terrific to be able to recognize this team after all of these years in such select company,” said Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “The success of the McFarlands was the first time that Belleville had been on the world stage and it really changed how the city saw itself. To be able to recognize this group is very special. On behalf of the City of Belleville and all hockey fans, I want to express just how proud we are of this news. We look forward to next year’s induction ceremony and celebrating these hockey heroes.”

Details on the 2023 Induction Ceremony and Community Celebration will be made announced in coming months. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame website and social media channels for future updates.

1959 Belleville McFarlands

The Belleville McFarlands hockey team took on the Kelowna Packers in the Allan Cup finals in 1959. Winning the series in game seven with an 8-5 victory, the McFarlands then headed to Prague, Czechoslovakia to take part in the World Championships where they faced Russia, the United States, Czechoslovakia, Sweden and Finland. The McFarlands won 3-1 in the deciding game against Czechoslovakia, making them World Champions.