麻豆社区

The honours just keep piling up for John Flynn.

Following his induction into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame, Dawson City's municipal council has decided to designate Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 as John Flynn Day.

The proclamation, issued at the Dec. 11 council meeting in Dawson City, reads:

"Whereas, Council wishes to recognize the incredible achievement of John Flynn, resident of Dawson City, being inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame, and

"Whereas, Council desires to recognize John Flynn for his sporting successes as an athlete and coach, and

"Whereas Council is pleased to recognize John Flynn for being an amazing role model for our community; now

"Therefore, I, Wayne Potoroka, as Mayor of the City of Dawson, Yukon Territory, do hereby proclaim December 28, 2012 to be John Flynn Day.鈥�

The proclamation was announced in delegations at the council meeting with Flynn and members of his family present.

"John, it's a pleasure to pay tribute to you on your achievement in being inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame,鈥� Potoroka said.

"You are a rare individual, a man with that uncommon mixture of talent and humility. Your incredible accomplishments as a hockey player, coach and biathlete, are eclipsed by the modesty you have shown throughout the time I've known you.鈥�

The mayor said that Flynn's accomplishments put him alongside such notable locals as the late Art Fry and the Dawson City Nuggets hockey team of 1905.

This was fitting since Flynn was captain and one of the key players in the 1997 re-enactment of that Stanley Cup Challenge.

"You are certainly a role model for youth and adults,鈥� Potoroka continued. "You are quite obviously a dedicated and loving family man and all-around decent human being.鈥�

Other councillors chimed in on Flynn's athletic achievements in Dawson City.

"In the time that he skated circles around me when I was playing Old Timer's hockey, he certainly showed great sportsmanship and is certainly a great Dawson City ambassador,鈥� said councillor Bill Kendrick.

"I was born and raised in this community,鈥� added councillor Darren Taylor. "I idolized John when I was a boy skating around and admired his hockey talent, obviously. Locals used to call John 鈥榯he Ace.'

"I've always looked up to John. He's a role model to all of us. It's great to see one of our own recognized.鈥�

Flynn, generally a man of few public words, had a few on this occasion.

"I would like to thank you,鈥� he told council. "It's been quite a two weeks for me. I'm not one to boast about my achievements and have quietly put them aside, but they've all come back, which is kind of nice. I appreciate this honour.鈥�

When asked earlier about his choice of day, Flynn selected his grandson Jack's birthday as the day to be proclaimed in his honour.

"I've talked it over with my family about it and I only have one request. On the 28th, could there be free skating at the skating rink for the kids on John Flynn Day?鈥� Council approved.

Flynn, 57, was inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony held Nov. 29 at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel.

An avid hockey player, Flynn is also a long-time minor hockey coach, and had an impressive run as a snowshoe biathlon athlete, winning 13 Arctic Winter Games medals over a 15-year span. Nine were golds.

In 1984 and 1986, he was named Athlete of the Year by the now-defunct Yukon Snowshoeing Association.

Alongside those achievements, Flynn was also an avid marathon runner from 1987 to 2000.