Inducted 2022

Brian Brocklehurst was an all-star athlete in St. John’s in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. He was a late starter in hockey, but soon caught on to the sport to become one of the best kids in the minor hockey system in St. John’s because he passed the puck with authority and was an excellent stickhandler who had a strong shift to either side when rushing the defense. He played on the 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966 Provincial minor hockey championship St. John’s teams. He went on to win two St John’s junior and senior hockey championships with St. Bon’s and Memorial University.  As a rookie in 1969 he won the senior league scoring title with 58 points in just 16 regular season games and was also named league MVP. Later in his hockey career, Brian was a star player for the MUN Beothuks from 1970-1973 and again as a rookie lead the St. John’s Caps in scoring and to the Herder Trophy in 1973-1974. When his career led him to be transferred to Gander, a softball injury prevented him from playing with the Gander Flyers as part of the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League, so he took to coaching the team instead. 

He was an all-star in the St. John’s Senior Softball League and is a member of both the St. John’s and Softball Newfoundland Halls of Fame. He played on six league championship teams winning 11 individual awards including the league MVP in 1969, the first non-pitcher to win the award. During the 12 seasons he played in the St. John’s Senior Softball League he compiled a .283 batting average with 136 hits, 14 home runs, and 61 runs batted in. He was also a catcher for the St. Pat’s baseball teams that won both St. John’s Junior and Senior titles. As a first baseman, who also caught and pitched, he earned a great deal of respect for his hitting ability, his fielding skills, his impressive leadership skills, and his exceptional sportsmanship and was well liked-by teammates and opponents. 

Brian’s biggest and most treasured accomplishment was being named St. John’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1969. In that year he played on eight championship teams in three different sports – softball, hockey, and baseball. A severe leg injury in 1974 effectively ended his competitive career at the age of 24. He continued to play recreational hockey until recently and today enjoys a leisurely game of golf.