ATHLETE LEGEND
Wright, Ed
1945 –
SPORT | Hockey
POSITION | Forward
YEAR OF INDUCTION | 2014
Ed, was born and raised in Chatham. Ed developed into an outstanding football, baseball, and hockey player who went on to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Boston University. While doing this, Ed had to overcome several obstacles including his small stature, which earned him the nickname of “Pebble”, and that fact that he is black, which caused undue taunting in some arenas. He overcame these obstacles through hard work, determination, skill, and a drive to succeed.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Early Years
Was a valuable member of 2 CCI football championship teams, one of which was undefeated and did not yield a point – played flying wing on offense and safety on defense – playing either catcher or centrefield, led his minor baseball teams to 5 OBA Championships playing at the highest level of competition
Played minor hockey and then for the Junior Maroons
1997 – was inducted into Chatham Collegiate’s Athletic Hall of Fame
1963 – 1965 – played for Jr. Maroons and was ranked as one of the leading scorers each year – in last season, Maroons were league regular season champions with a record of 31-6-3 and Ed was team’s 4th leading scorer
Boston University 1965 – 1969
On hockey scholarship at Boston University which had one of the top hockey programs in NCAA Division I – teamed with fellow Chathamite, Herb Wakabayashi, and became one of the top penalty killing pair – at one point did not allow a shot on goal for 36 consecutive minutes of short handed play
In junior year, played in 32 games scoring 13 goals and had 16 assists – was chosen “Most Improved Player”
In senior year, played on the same line with Herb and Serge Boily from Quebec which became one of the highest scoring lines in the country – Ed scored 16 goals and 16 assists in 29 games, helping Herb to be named All-American – after the season, was named “The Player Who Exemplifies the Spirit of BU Hockey”
After
After receiving a Science Degree, Ed went on to earn a Master’s of Education Degree from BU. He then went to the University of Buffalo where, for over 40 years, he worked as coach, administrator, and teacher. In 2010, Buffalo honoured him for his dedication to the school by naming their new athletic facility the “Edward L. Wright Practice Facility”. Also in 2010, Ed was honoured by the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society when they recognized his achievements in a ceremony at the WISH Centre.
Ed now lives in Marana, Arizona.