Legendary class of inductees at the centre of Canada's defining sports moments

TORONTO, April 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and presenting sponsor Canadian Tire Corporation, are proud to announce the remarkable athletes and builders who will make up the Class of 2015.

For Canadian athletes, there is no higher sporting honour in this country than induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. This year's class of inductees includes individuals from across the sporting world who have broken barriers, achieved international acclaim, and distinguished themselves as world-class athletes.

Each of the 12 individuals selected to join the Class of 2015 are being recognized not only for their enormous contributions to their sports, but also for their dedication to their country.

"Every Canadian can recall a moment in sport that is etched forever in our memories," said Michael Medline, President and CEO, Canadian Tire Corporation, Member of the Board of Governors of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and Honourary Chair of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Celebrations.

"Canadian Tire believes in the power of sport, whether it's watching an Olympic Gold Medal game or coming together to bear witness to an extraordinary feat of athleticism. Sport is what rallies our nation and defines us on a global stage. On behalf of Canadian Tire and the other presenting sponsors, we are thrilled to congratulate these incredible individuals and to thank them for the indelible moments they have provided for all Canadians," added Medline.   

The distinguished Class of 2015 inductees includes:

• Susan Auch, five-time Olympian in speed skating
• Paul Coffey, Olympian and one of the best NHL defensemen of all time
• Michael Edgson, para-swimmer and the most accomplished Paralympic athlete in Canadian history
• Sharon and Shirley Firth, cross country skiers and the first Indigenous athletes to represent Canada at the Olympic Winter Games
• Craig Forrest, international soccer superstar
• Nicolas Gill, one of Canada's most decorated judo athletes
• Danielle Goyette, two-time Olympic hockey gold medalist
• Jennifer Heil, the first Canadian woman to win a World Cup overall mogul title
• Lori-Ann Muenzer, the only Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal in cycling
• Jocelyne Bourassa, championed the development of women's golf
• Marina van der Merwe, three-time Olympic Games Women's field hockey coach

To help celebrate 2015 being declared the "Year of Sport" by His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame will for the first time induct a special 60th anniversary Canadian Sport Legends Class to honour them for their lasting contributions to Canada's sporting culture.

Spanning nearly 150 years of Canadian sport, this diverse group of special inductees includes war heroes who gave their lives for our country, Indigenous and Black athletes who broke down racial barriers, women who overcame gender inequality, and other remarkable pioneers of Canadian sport.

In 2015, three new sports will be added to the 62 currently featured in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, including Field Hockey, Rodeo and Cricket.

"We are proud to be able to share stories of the achievements of the Class of 2015 so that we can inspire all Canadians to be the best they can be in all aspects of life," said Mario Siciliano, President and CEO, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. "Thanks to the support of our partner, Canadian Tire, and Michael Medline as our Honorary Chair, we are able to recognize these outstanding athletes and host the biggest celebration of sport in Canadian history."

Both classes will be inducted separately as follows: the Canadian Sport Legends Class during a ceremony on June 17, 2015 at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, AB and the Class of 2015 during a gala awards show on October 21, 2015, at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, ON. 

For full biographies of the Class of 2015 and the Canadian Sport Legends Class, please visit www.sportshall.ca

ABOUT CANADA'S SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is an international award-winning facility with over 40,000 square feet of inspiring experiences. Located at WinSport Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame features 12 galleries, more than 50 hands-on interactive experiences and a collection of more than 95,000 artefacts. Our mission is to share the stories of the achievements of our Honoured Members so that we can inspire all Canadians to be the best they can be in all aspects of life. Please visit www.sportshall.ca to learn more about our education programs, facility rentals and corporate retreats.

*Please note that the official name is Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, not the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, (TSX:CTC.A) (TSX:CTC) or "CTC," is a family of businesses that includes a retail segment, a financial services division and CT REIT. Our retail business is led by Canadian Tire, which was founded in 1922 and provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across its Living, Playing, Fixing, Automotive and Seasonal categories. PartSource and Gas+ are key parts of the Canadian Tire network. The retail segment also includes Mark's, a leading source for casual and industrial wear, and FGL Sports (Sport Chek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts, National Sports, Intersport, Pro Hockey Life and Atmosphere), which offers the best active wear brands. The nearly 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division and the tens of thousands of people employed across the Company. For more information, visit Corp.CanadianTire.ca.

SOURCE CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED

Image with caption: "Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Presenting Partner Canadian Tire announce the Class of 2015. Ten Athletes and two sport “Builders” to be officially inducted on October 21, 2015. Today Mario Siciliano (President and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame), and Michael Medline (President and CEO, Canadian Tire Corporation, Member of the Board of Governors of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Honourary Chair of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Celebrations) made the announcement. (CNW Group/Canada's Sports Hall of Fame)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150422_C5342_PHOTO_EN_14622.jpg