Three distinguished individuals, basketball figure Jay Triano, the 1990 Canadian women’s hockey team, and Indigenous sports leader Chief Wilton Littlechild, have been announced as the 2026 inductees into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The upcoming class will be honored with the Order of Sport on November 4 at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, since its inception in 1955, has celebrated the achievements of over 750 Canadians as athletes, builders, and trailblazers. The 2026 class, referred to as the “Legacy Edition,” will be recognized in the “Trailblazer” category for their groundbreaking contributions to sports, reshaping their respective fields and opening doors for future generations.
Operating in both physical and digital realms, the Hall features digital storytelling initiatives, including a national school program and the Indigenous Sport Heroes Education experience. Its extensive collection of 100,000 objects and 60,000 archival records is housed at the Canadian Museum of History.
Cheryl Bernard, the Hall of Fame’s president and CEO, emphasized the significance of the Order of Sport Awards, highlighting the collective efforts that have propelled Canadian sports to greatness, from exceptional athletes and visionaries to community leaders and organizations that have fostered opportunities across generations.
Jay Triano, a pioneer as the first Canadian NBA head coach, notably led the Toronto Raptors and later the Phoenix Suns. Currently serving as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, Triano’s illustrious career includes captaining the Canadian men’s basketball team in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games and coaching the national team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The 1990 Canadian women’s hockey team made history by winning the inaugural International Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned world championship in Ottawa, setting the stage for women’s hockey’s global recognition and eventual inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Chief Wilton Littlechild, already a builder inductee in 2018, is being honored for his remarkable contributions once again. Hailing from Maskwacis, Alberta, the 82-year-old established the first all-Indigenous hockey team in Alberta, co-founded the North American Indigenous Games, and advocated for the International Indigenous Games.
The Hall encourages nominations for future inductees, with a selection committee meticulously reviewing submissions before recommending individuals to the board of governors. Additionally, the Hall will present Legacy awards to sports businessman Larry Tanenbaum, the Southern family of Calgary’s Spruce Meadows, and the Canada Games Council and Special Olympics Canada. Edmonton’s Tim Adams, founder of Free Play for Kids, will be recognized with a community champion award.