Richmond Hill Announces 2019 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees  

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill’s Sports Hall of Fame announced five new inductees: Blaine Angus, hockey referee; Bill Armstrong, hockey; Josh Binstock, beach volleyball; Tommy Griffiths, football; and Ed Santi, builder, hockey.

“Congratulations to the Class of 2019,” said Mayor Dave Barrow. “We take pride in the achievements and successes of these hardworking individuals who represent Richmond Hill on national and international stages.”

“The Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame is committed to recognizing and honouring the achievements of athletes and teams who have attained prominence and distinction in their field of sport,” said Paul Eden, Chair of the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame Committee. “We will continue to preserve the achievements of those who work tirelessly to create a healthy, active and connected community.”

This year’s Class will be honoured at the 2019 Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 24 at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (10268 Yonge Street). Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Guests are invited to view the 2019 Inductee memorabilia. The Emcee for the event is Angela James, Canadian women’s hockey player. Tickets are free, but RSVP is required. Please visit RichmondHill.ca/SportsHall to RSVP.

Quick Facts

• Richmond Hill’s Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1991.
• Richmond Hill’s Sports Hall of Fame is located at the Elgin Barrow Arena.
• The Arena was named after the 2006 Sports Hall of Fame member and lifetime Richmond Hill resident, Elgin Barrow, founding member and former Director of the Minor Hockey Association.
• The Hall features exhibits and photos of the 57 current inductees.

Associated Links
RichmondHill.ca/SportsHall

For more information, please contact:

Robin Taylor-Smith, Sports Hall of Fame, Community Services, at 905-884-1368, ext. 225 or robin.tayor-smith@richmondhill.ca.

Backgrounder

Blaine Angus 
Blaine Angus policed the ice for years, skating alongside many of the game’s greatest names, from Gretzky to Lemieux to Sakic. He started his officiating career at the age of 15 and found his way to Richmond Hill at 19. He worked hard in rinks all over North America, eventually spending 15-years as a professional hockey referee, working in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League and National Hockey League. He officiated his first NHL game in 1992 and eventually skated in the 516 regular season NHL games, two playoffs and the 2004 NHL All-Star Game in Minnesota. Angus is active on the ice and coaches younger officials in the Minor Hockey games in Richmond Hill, as well as the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and the Ontario Hockey Association.

Bill Armstrong
Not many people can say they’ve won three of hockey’s most coveted championships, but Bill Armstrong can. Armstrong is a graduate of Bayview Secondary School in Richmond Hill. He was a rugged, stay-at-home defenceman who played professional ice hockey all over North America. He played in the Ontario Hockey League for five seasons. In 1990, while playing for the Oshawa Generals, he scored the game winning goal in double-overtime to capture the Memorial Cup. After being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round, he went on to play nine-seasons professionally in the American and International Hockey leagues. Success would continue following Armstrong, as he won the Calder Cup (AHL Championship) in 1999 as an Assistant Coach. And, after climbing the ranks with the St. Louis Blues in the NHL, he became the Blues’ Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2019.

Josh Binstock
Dr. Josh Binstock is one of Canada’s most decorated beach volleyball players. He was first introduced to competitive volleyball while he attended Richmond Hill High School. He led the team into the Ontario Volleyball Association tournament circuit. He’s a two time Olympian (Rio 2016 and London 2012), winner of 11 Continental Tour medals, eight World Tour medals, as well as 9th place at the 2015 World Championships. As a retired National Team Athlete, Dr. Binstock gives back to the community by making appearances in schools and volleyball clubs to inspire young athletes, coaches and parents.

Tommy Griffiths
Tommy Griffiths started playing football on grassy fields in Richmond Hill while attending Alexander Mackenzie High School. After high school, he patrolled the gridiron for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo, Ontario, helping them become one of the premier programs in the country. He was named a conference all-star, paving his way to the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was one of the few players in the country invited to the CFL combine. Undrafted, he attended the Toronto Argonauts free agent camp and was signed to a contract. He joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and played in the last ever CFL game at Rogers Center against the Argos.

Ed Santi
It’s hard to imagine where Richmond Hill minor hockey would be today without Ed Santi. Santi’s family found their way to Richmond Hill where Santi discovered his love for hockey. He was a member of the Richmond Hill Hockey Association (RHHA) from 1984-2005. He convened house league hockey and was a VP of Richmond Hill rep teams for almost 20-years. In 1990, he was instrumental in changing the Richmond Hill hockey mascot and competitive team name to Jaguars. He was President of the RHHA from 2003-05 and President of the Coyotes AAA Hockey Group from 2007-2017.