Three inducted into Sports Wall of Recognition
The District of Carleton North celebrated their annual Sports Wall of Recognition Inductee Ceremony on Oct. 17 at the Western Valley Multi-Plex.
The awards recognize the area’s “long and storied history of outstanding achievement in sports and recreation.”
Each year, the District opens nominations for individuals or teams who have made “significant contributions and advancements to sport and recreation” in the area.
The 2026 inductees to the Carleton North Sports Wall of Recognition are as follows:
Cheryl Crain: Cheryl was inducted into the Wall of Recognition after more than four decades of “outstanding dedication to swimming, aquatic safety, athletic development, and community service.” Cheryl’s days in aquatic sports began with her own swimming lessons as a child and continued as a competitive swimmer. Eventually, she became an instructor, trainer, examiner, pool manager, and mentor. Her years as a swimming instructor, and in lifesaving, first aid, and emergency services education, helped teach “generations the skills, confidence, and respect for safety that last a lifetime.”
Tom Tompkins: Tom is Cheryl Crain’s brother, marking the first time in the Sports Wall of Recognition’s history that siblings were inducted. Tom led an “outstanding athletic career” in hockey and baseball for over 60 years. Passionate about hockey, he played on house leagues and all-star teams and was mentored by Bun Veysey.
However, he shone even more in baseball. After starting softball at 13, he switched to Bantam baseball, and in 1980 joined the Woodstock Shiretowners. There, he won Rookie of the Year and attracted scouts from the Pittsburgh Pirates. During his senior-ball years, Tom competed at the Canadian National Championship three times. In 1980, he won a silver while playing for the Woodstock Shiretowners. In 1981, he joined the Marysville Royals and went on to represent the first New Brunswick team, winning gold. In 1982, playing for the Chatham Ironmen, Tom won a bronze. In 1992, the 1981 Marysville Royals were inducted into the Fredericton Wall of Fame. They were later inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and the New Brunswick Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Sidney Veysey: From Carleton County to the NHL, hockey has been Sidney’s life. Sidney started his hockey career by playing minor league hockey in Woodstock and Florenceville. Over the years, he moved up into junior hockey, where he won multiple awards and set league records, including in his 1972-1973 season with the Moncton Beavers, where he scored 108 points. In the 1974-1975 season, he earned a spot on the QMJHL All-Stars team, won the championship, and played in the Memorial Cup.
In 1975, Sidney moved into the professional hockey world when he was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL draft and the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA draft. Throughout his professional career, Sidney remained a top scorer and continued to win awards. From 1979-1982, Sidney played for the UNB Red Devils (now known as the Varsity Reds), where he remained a top player.
As his playing days ended, Sidney stayed involved in hockey by coaching minor hockey teams and eventually became the Head Atlantic Scout for the Saint John Sea Dogs.
