Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Order of Sport Awards: Legacy Edition Honourees
CALGARY, Alberta —Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (CSHoF) is proud to announce the honourees to be celebrated at the Order of Sport Awards: Legacy Edition, presented by Everest Funeral Concierge, taking place on November 4,2026, at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.
For 70 years, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame has recognized Athletes, Builders, and Trailblazers whose achievements embody the very best of Canada and the enduring spirit of sport. The Legacy Edition of the Order of Sport Awards marks a milestone moment—honouring those who changed the game while recognizing the broader ecosystem of leaders, families, organizations, and community builders whose collective impact continues to shape the future of Canadian sport.
“The Legacy Edition of the Order of Sport Awards allows us to recognize the full ecosystem that makes Canadian sport so powerful—from trailblazing athletes and visionaries to families, community leaders, and organizations whose leadership has shaped opportunity for generations,” said Cheryl Bernard, President & CEO of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. “The 2026 honourees represent the very best of who we are — the people behind the moments that brought us together, and whose character continues to inspire what comes next.”
The Class of 2026 Trailblazers—Chief Dr. Wilton Littlechild, the 1990 Canadian Women’s Ice Hockey Team, and Jay Triano—represent leaders who broke barriers, redefined their sports, and created new opportunities for generations to follow. Their contributions have played a defining role in the evolution of Canadian sport and continue to inspire communities nationwide.
Chief Dr. Wilton Littlechild is a respected Indigenous athlete and lifelong advocate for inclusion, advancing Indigenous representation and equity in sport systems in Canada and globally.
1990 Canadian Women’s Ice Hockey Team helped establish the credibility of women’s ice hockey internationally, accelerating its path to Olympic inclusion and sustained national investment.
Jay Triano elevated Canadian basketball as a national team captain, coach, and the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) first Canadian head coach.
In addition, the evening will celebrate the inaugural Community Champion Award, presented by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, recognizing coaches, volunteers, and community leaders who create opportunities for young people to play, belong, and thrive. The 2026 recipient, Tim Adams, exemplifies the powerful and enduring impact of community leadership.
In addition to the Induction Class, the Legacy Edition will also recognize a distinguished group of honourees who, while not formally inducted, are being celebrated for their leadership and vision, which have strengthened the foundation of Canadian sport and expanded its role in building stronger communities:
Legacy Visionary – Larry Tanenbaum – Transformational leader of professional Canadian sport
Legacy Family – The Southern Family – Visionary founders of Spruce Meadows
Sport for Good – Canada Games Council and Special Olympics Canada
Together, these honourees represent the full story of Canadian sport—an interconnected ecosystem where athletes, leaders, families, community champions, and organizations work together to change the game, strengthen communities, and shape opportunities for the next generation.
The Order of Sport Awards: Legacy Edition will bring together leaders from sport, business, government, and the community to celebrate this premier national recognition of legacy leadership and the future of Canadian sport, with Porter Airlines as the Official Airline helping bring Canadians together for this national celebration. The Order of Sport Awards is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Museum Assistance Program.
“This performance centre is about building the foundation for sustained excellence,” said Monica Wright Rogers, General Manager of the Tempo. “Our players deserve a world-class environment that supports every aspect of their development, and our community deserves access to spaces that inspire the next generation. This facility will be both.”
Globally recognized architecture firm HOK designed the Performance Centre with accessibility at its core. It will welcome everyone year-round, from professional athletes to local community members, providing access to premier courts, training areas, and amenities used by the team during the season.
“This project represents a powerful opportunity to create not only an exceptional environment for elite athlete development, but a lasting symbol of equity, civic pride, and cultural identity,” said Paul Harrison, design principal for HOK. “We rooted the project in five core principles: athlete-first design, inclusive access, civic engagement, sustainability, and future adaptability.”
Media Resources Available: Downloadable Media Kit (bios and photographs)
Order of Sport Inductees & Legacy Award Recipients interview requests:
Ruth Cowan, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Mobile: 403.776.1083
Email: rcowan@cshof.ca
Media Contact:
Misty Kolozetti, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Mobile: 403.776.1086
Email: mkolozetti@cshof.ca
About Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (CSHoF) is a registered charitable organization and has been a vital cultural institution in Canada since 1955. As Canada’s only national museum of sport, and home to Canada’s highest sporting honour, the Order of Sport, the organization’s mandate is to empower the pivotal role sport plays in shaping Canada’s future. Through three guiding pillars—curation, education, and recognition—CSHoF honours the transformative power of sport and the inspiring role models who have shaped our nation’s story, reminding Canadians why sport matters. For more information on Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, visit sportshall.ca or follow Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame on Facebook and Instagram (@cansportshall) or X (@sportshall).
About Order of Sport
Over 750 Hall of Famers have been inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame since its establishment in 1955 and in 2019, the organization launched a new recognition program, the Order of Sport which is Canada’s highest sporting honour. This award is a symbol of the organization’s vision to build Canada through the transformative power of sport. Awarding all individuals and teams who are inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame with the Order of Sport is to respect and cherish Canadians who have achieved the highest level of accomplishment and who have the purpose and passion to go beyond their sport successes to give back. Celebrating the connection that newly inducted Hall of Famers have made between sport and social purpose – from “great” in their sports to doing “good” in their communities and aligning that with the lessons that sport teaches – demonstrates to the nation that sport, and its values, plays a substantial role in shaping this country. For more information, visit orderofsport.ca.
Source: https://www.sportshall.ca/news/canadas-sports-hall-of-fame-announces-class-of-2026