Tony Wheeler
Lacrosse
Inducted: 2006
Tony Wheeler, along with his younger brother Gabe, started playing lacrosse in Cornwall's O.C.O.T. (Our Citizens Of Tomorrow) league in 1934. The next season, the two villages of Wales and St. Andrews West joined forces and entered a team. Of course, the Wheeler boys, being natives of St. Andrews, played with their home squad. This team remained intact for the next six years, through Bantam, Midget, Juvenile and Junior, winning several championships.
In 1941, the Wheeler boys made the Cornwall senior team, which played in the Quebec Senior Lacrosse League. Tony finished seventh in scoring, which was a tremendous accomplishment for a rookie.
In 1942, World War II was in full swing, and Tony served as an air frame mechanic in the RCAF for two years.
In 1946, he and his brother both rejoined the Cornwall Seniors. Their arrival signalled the beginning of a dominating era for the Cornwall team, as they won the Quebec League championship 5 out of the next 6 years. Playing as linemates, the Wheeler brothers took turns re-writing the league scoring records, with each scoring at least 100 points per season -an incredible feat, considering Tony's playing weight was 130 pounds and Gabe's was 126 pounds.
In a game in 1948, Tony scored a record 13 goals as Cornwall trounced the Hogansburg Indians 33-11, with three of his goals coming in a span of less than 20 seconds.
Tony retired from lacrosse after the 1953 season at the age of 34, and was the charter president of the Cornwall Township Minor Lacrosse Association, starting in 1960. He lives in St. Andrews with his wife Theresa.
Kevin Wheeler accepting on behalf of his brother Tony Wheeler from Dave Alguire.