Brian Wensink
Maxville native, Brain Wensink, was one of four children born to parents Joseph and Marlene Wensink. Brian was a natural athlete and team leader. In his grade 9 year at Tagwi Secondary School, he competed in a decathlon event held at Glengarry High School. Over the course of 2 days Brian competed in 10 events and finished third in the midget division. Brian played football for the Tagwi Warriors for four years under the coaching of the late Don Bond (2011 Inductee.) Not only did Brian excel as quarterback but because of his versatility and athleticism, he was regularly called upon to play in the defensive backfield and take on punting responsibilities. During Brian’s football years the Warriors did not win a league title, but Brain received many an accolade and recognition for his quarterbacking skills. Local high school football coverage as reported in the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder, (September 19,1978) claims that in Brian’s final year of football he was, “undisputedly the best throwing quarterback in the SD&G league”.
While playing through the fall high school football season, Brian would leave practices and games to begin his hockey season with the St Isidore Eagles Hockey Junior B Hockey Club of the North East Division of the Ottawa District Junior B Hockey League. Brian’s defensive prowess and strong skating skills earned him a spot on the roster at just 15 years of age. He remained with the team until 1978. Prior to his final season with the Eagles, Brian was recruited to attend a try-out camp for the Cornwall Royals. When his time with the Jr. B St Isidore Eagles came to an end, he then joined the Jr. C Maxville Highlanders for a year before finishing his formal hockey career playing 2 years with the Alexandria Jr B Glens. Brain was named the outstanding hockey player in Glengarry in 1980 and awarded the Campbell MacGillivray Memorial Trophy at the Lions Club Annual Sports Banquet. He received his trophy from Ottawa 67s legendary coach, Brain Kilrea. That same year Brain was awarded the top defenseman honours within the Northeast Division of ODJHL.
Brain continued to play on many recreational teams in leagues surrounding Maxville and the area, including tournaments such as the Glengarry News Cup and the Maxville Cup. Notably, Brain travelled to the British Isles on 4 occasions, 1988, 1990,1997 and 2000 with the AJK Highland Travellers. On the 1988 trip, after playing a game against the Cardiff Devils, a pro team from Wales, Brain was honoured to have been selected as “Man of the Match”. In April 1997, Brian suffered a serious on-ice eye injury playing in the Maxville Cup resulting in the loss of his right eye. His injury sparked serious discussion about the importance of wearing eye and face protective gear at the recreational level around the county and beyond.
Brain’s involvement and love for hockey and his Maxville community saw him lead a group of similar minded individuals to fund the return of the Maxville Highlanders Junior C team back to the village in 1999. The original team had dissolved in 1983. Brian became the team’s GM and his friend, the late Ron McCrory, was president.
Brian passed away from cancer in 2017. He left his wife Johanne (Wilamoski) and daughters Emily and Carolyn from his first marriage.
