Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame

Good Morning and Happy Sunday!

Awesome day yesterday -- stayed in bed all morning, even though I did a bunch of work remotely! Kicked back and watched a good movie on tv last night! 🤣

What say you come on down to the Royal Canadian Legion today; kick back and relax, watch tv or play some games, and chat it up with fellow patrons! Buy some 50/50 Mother's Day Draw tickets while you're at it!

Wishing everyone a fantastic day ... ❤️

We extend our sincere congratulations to Fort Frances native Anders Johnson and his teammates for their outstanding performance at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

Johnson finished in 22nd place in the Men's 1,000m Speed Skating race and finished in 16th place in the Men's 500m Speed Skating race on Saturday February 14.

Canada is proud!

Fort Frances is PROUD!

Congratulations to Anders Johnson who finished in 16th place in the Men's 500m Speed Skating race on Saturday February 14 at the Milan - Cortina Winter Olympic games.

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/ssk/st/m/500m--------------/fnl-/000100--/race-result

Anders finish was second best amongst Canadian competitors. Teammate Laurent (Larry) Dubreuil won a bronze medal for Canada in the event.

Anders first post on Instagram after the race congratulated his teammate's bronze winning effort.

Anders who was born in the Town of Fort Frances and lived here until he was 10, finished in 22nd place in the Men's 1,000m Speed Skating race on Wednesday.

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/ssk/st/m/1000m-------------/fnl-/000100--/race-result

Fort Frances PROUD!!!

It's race day for Anders Johnson!

Fort Frances PROUD!!!

Saturday morning at 10:00 am Fort Frances time, Anders Johnson competes in his second and final event at the 2026 Olympic games in Milan Cortina, Italy.

One of his first coaches told him “You’re probably too old, you’re never going to make it” https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUlaXMJiSjQ/

On Wednesday Johnson finished in 22nd place in the Men's 1,000m Speed Skating race.
https://www.olympics.com/.../fnl-/000100--/race-result

Anders was born in Fort Frances, where he resided until the age of ten. He is the son of Rob Johnson and Janey Johnson (née Winik), who along with Anders' brother Brett and other family members, traveled to Italy to cheer for him in person during his events.

According to an article in the Calgary Calvary Chapel magazine: “Rob and Janie Johnson view their son Anders’s journey to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as the culmination of a lifelong dream supported by faith, family, and personal sacrifice.”

Anders began speedskating at a much older age compared to many of his contemporaries, transitioning from hockey to speedskating during his senior year of high school. Anders trains 6 to 8 hours a day with the Canadian National Team in Calgary, AB.

Anders’ proud grandparents are June and the late Jack Winik, as well as Karen Johnson Burdett and the late Danny Johnson, who was known for his remarkable career as a speedy forward in both the NHL and WHA.

The people of the Fort Frances area admire Ander’s athletic achievements and appreciate that he builds on his family legacy of integrity, humility, and politeness.

Anders is a great ambassador for his hometown and Canada!

Fort Frances PROUD!!!

Fort Frances born Anders Johnson finished in 22nd place today (Wednesday) in the Men's 1,000m Speed Skating race at the Winter Olympic games in Italy.

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/ssk/st/m/1000m-------------/fnl-/000100--/race-result

Anders next race is the Men’s 500m Saturday Feb 14th.

Good luck Anders, Fort Frances is proud of you!

According to his post on Instagram, Anders Johnson competes in the 1,000m speedskating event today at 12:30 Eastern or 11:30 AM Fort Frances time.

Go Anders!

Celebrating 8 Olympians Who Were Born or Lived in the Town of Fort Frances

Aspiring young athletes: follow the example of those who have clearly demonstrated — success on the world stage is possible, even if you are from a small town.

Anders Johnson is now the 8th person we know of who was born in or who lived in Fort Frances who have become Olympians.

Anders competes in Men’s 1000m Wednesday Feb 11th and Men’s 500m Saturday Feb 14th. Good luck Anders!

Combined they have won an impressive 3 Gold, and 4 Silver Medals at the Winter Games.

Hints:

Five of the Olympians were inducted into the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame.

The six athletes who were born or live in Fort Frances won medals while representing a total of three different countries.

Before you scroll down the page, how many of the 8 Olympians can you name?

(in chronological order)

Johnny Coward

Born in Ambleside, England, Coward's family emigrated to Fort Frances where he learned to play ice hockey in the 1920’s. While he lived most of his life in Fort Frances, he returned to England in to play for the Great Britain national ice hockey team which won the gold medal at the 1936 Winter Olympics. He is a member of the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame.

Ed “Dun” Sampson

Born in Fort Frances, Sampson was a key member of the 52 Canadians that won the Allan Cup. Sampson and his teammates with the 52 Canadians were inducted into both the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame. Sampson played for the United States national team, winning a silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics.

Art Berglund

Berglund grew up and played hockey in Fort Frances. He became a coach and administrator in the US. In 1976 and 1988, he was the general manager of the U.S. Olympic ice hockey team. He is a member of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame.

Keith “Huffer” Christiansen

Christiansen developed his love for hockey in Fort Frances where he was born. Huffer was a member of the United States' 1972 Winter Olympics team that won the silver medal. He is a member of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame.

Tim Sheehy

Born in Fort Frances, Sheehy played hockey at Falls High School before playing at Boston College. Sheehy, who has dual citizenship, was also a member of the United States' 1972 Winter Olympics team that won the silver medal.

Chris Lindburg

Chris learned the game of hockey growing up in Fort Frances during the 70’s and 80’s. He was a member of the 1992 silver medal winning Canadian Men’s Olympics Hockey team. He scored Canada’s only goal in the final game. He is a member of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame.

Duncan Keith

Keith played minor hockey in Fort Frances in 1980’s. When Keith won the second Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, he brought the cup back to Fort Frances to celebrate with friends, family, and locals in the town where he learned to skate.
He won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada at the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Winter Games. A standout defenseman, he was a key part of Canada's defensive core in both tournaments, contributing 8 points over 13 games while maintaining a +12 plus-minus rating. Keith was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025 and is now eligible to be nominated for induction into the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame.

Anders Johnson
Fort Frances native Anders Johnson will compete in his first Olympics at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Danny Johnson. Anders qualified for the 500 and 1,000 metre long track speedskating events. Anders competes in Men’s 1000m Wednesday Feb 11th and Men’s 500m Saturday Feb 14th. Good luck Anders!

Fort Frances native Anders Johnson is gearing up for a milestone moment as he prepares to make his Olympic debut at the highly anticipated 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

Carrying on the impressive legacy of his late grandfather, Danny Johnson (who was a speedy forward and Captain of the Winnipeg Jets), Anders has earned his place among the world’s speedskating elite, qualifying for both the thrilling 500 and 1,000 metre long track events. The action kicks off on Tuesday, February 10th, as Anders takes to the ice to chase Olympic glory.

Anders’s journey to the Olympics is deeply rooted in family pride and local heritage. Alongside his brother Brett, Anders had the honour of accepting their grandfather Danny Johnson’s induction into the Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame in a heartfelt moment celebrated during the ceremony on August 13, 2022. This recognition not only highlights the Johnson family’s contribution to Canadian sport but also fuels Anders’s drive as he steps onto the world stage.

The Milano Cortina Winter Games run from February 6th to the 22nd, with events hosted across the stunning landscapes of Lombardy and Northeast Italy. The excitement begins with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday the 6th, setting the stage for two weeks of unforgettable athletic achievement. All eyes will be on Anders as he carries the hopes of Fort Frances and the legacy of his family into Olympic competition.

https://olympic.ca/team-canada/anders-johnson/

The Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame mourns honoured member Alex Kurceba who passed on January 1, 2026.

1952 Allan Cup champion F.F. Canadians (1948-58)

https://yourborderland.ca/remembering-our-hockey-history-northwestern-ontarios-shines-in-olympic-mens-hockey/

Remembering our hockey history: Northwestern Ontario shines in Olympic men's hockey - Your Borderland With the recent announcement of Canada's Olympic ice hockey team for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, northwestern Ontario can look back with