Gordon Renwick, Order of Hockey in Canada member, dies at 85

Gordon Renwick — former Canadian Amateur Hockey Association president and member of the Order of Hockey in Canada — has died. He was 85.

Hockey Canada confirmed Renwick’s death on Wednesday. No cause was given.

Renwick, from Cambridge, Ont., made his contributions to the game of Canada off the ice, holding multiple roles domestically and internationally including vice president of the International Ice Hockey Federation from 1986 to 1994.

One of Renwick’s major achievements was bringing the NHL and the IIHF into discussions about NHL participation in the Olympic Games, which eventually happened for the first time at the 1998 Nagano Games in Japan.

He served as chef-de-mission for European club teams visiting North America during 1970s, helping behind the scenes to create a Russia-Canada rivalry, and as the president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, which merged with Hockey Canada in 1994, from 1977 to ’79.

He was named to the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2012 for his contributions to the growth and development of hockey in Canada.

“Hockey Canada and the IIHF are both in a better position today because of Gordon’s passion and dedication to the game. We know his legacy will continue to live on through Hockey Canada,” Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, said in a joint statement released by Hockey Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published January 6, 2021.

The Canadian Press