James Goode Gray- 1948
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989
Jimmy Gray is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats in hockey history at Acadia. A native of Joggins Mines, NS, Jim entered Acadia in the fall of 1939 and was quickly recognized as a superb all-round athlete. Despite being proficient in basketball, rugby, track, and baseball, hockey was his first love and it was in this sport that won him lasting fame as an Axeman.
In his rookie year, Jimmy was indeed the most outstanding player in the league, winning the scoring title and leading Acadia to its first ever Maritime Intercollegiate Championship. During the War years, Jim left university and became a member of the air force. He continued with his hockey career, however, and played with the powerful Halifax Air Force Squad leading them to the Maritime Senior Title in 1942.
Following the War, Jimmy returned to Acadia and again led the Axemen in capturing a Valley Senior League Championship in 1946 and another Maritime Intercollegiate title in 1948. At one point in his career, the “Collegiate Clipper” as he was so named by Danny Gallivan, accepted an invitation to practice with the Montreal Canadians. Unfortunately, Jim’s athletic career came to a tragic end when he suffered a broken leg while playing baseball (another sport at which he excelled) in Halifax.
It is indeed a pleasure to welcome for induction to Acadia’s Sports Hall of Fame a graduate of 1948, and one of the finest athletes ever to perform at Acadia –Jimmy Gray.
