Dr. Shunock, Julio Francella named to hockey hall of fame

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SAULT STE. MARIE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

************************* Hockey Hall of Fame announces 2007 inductees

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (November 15, 2007) - The Sault Ste. Marie Hockey Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce the 2007 Sault Ste. Marie Hockey Hall of Fame inductees:

- Julio Francella (player)

- Dr. George Shunock (builder)

There will be a special induction ceremony on Wednesday November 28 at the Soo Greyhound game.

History on Julio Francella

• Member of the NOHA Jr. Greyhounds from 1967–1970.

• During the 1969-70 season he scored in 41 consecutive regular season games and was second in league scoring.

• Member of the Lake Superior State University hockey team from 1971–1975 where he established a career points record, (212 points in 121 games), which lasted for 20 years.

• Remains as #2 on the Lake Superior scoring career list.

• Named All American NAIA in 1972 and 1974.

• Inducted as an individual into the LSSU Hall of Fame in 2000; inducted as a member of the 1971-72 Championship team in 2001 and then again as a member of the 1973-74 Championship team in 2003.

• He then went on to play professional hockey in Italy from 1975-1982.

• Member of the Italian team which captured the World B Poll Championship.

History on Dr. George Shunock

Dr. Shunock played was instrumental in helping to keep the Greyhound Hockey Club here in Sault Ste. Marie.

He spearheaded the historic campaign “Save the Greyhounds” in 1989 where he led multiple Saultites and Greyhound fans to raise over $1 million dollars.

The money raised matched the purchasing offer made and ensured that the Greyhounds stayed here in the Sault rather than being sold to Detroit, Michigan.

In addition, Dr. Shunock was the team president when the Hounds went to the Memorial cup tournament three straight years beginning in ’91.

Not only did Dr. Shunock help to save the Greyhounds, he also became president of Sault Major Hockey Association at a time of financial hardship.

He worked diligently to raise money and his efforts helped to keep the league active in this community and one of the largest organized groups in the city.

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