Gerry Thomson

Gerry is being recognized on the Home of Champions Monument for his years of dedication to hockey in our community, particularly coaching minor hockey.

Gerry began his coaching career in 1939 with the Trail Midgets, leading the team to the Provincial Championship in 1940. In 1942, he assumed coaching duties of the Trail Junior Smoke Eaters where he enjoyed greatest success. In 1944, the team was Western Canadian Champions and played in the Memorial Cup in Toronto, losing to the Oshawa Generals.

In 1945, he coached the Trail Juveniles to the Provincial Championship before returning to coach the Trail Juniors to a Provincial Championship in 1947.

In 1951, he moved to the senior ranks, and won a Provincial Championship at this level with the Smoke Eaters. He coached the Smoke Eaters until the close of the 1953 season.

Gerry was also a strong force in the administrative side of hockey locally and provincially. He served as President of the Trail Athletic Association, President of the BC Amateur Hockey Association, and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. In 1951, Gerry was awarded the prestitious Diamon Stick Pin by the BC Amateur Hockey Association for his service to hockey in BC.

Gerry dedicated a life time to the sport of hockey in Trail and in our Province as both a Coach and an Administrator.