Gabe Wheeler
Lacrosse
Inducted: 2006
Gabe Wheeler, along with his older brother Tony, started playing lacrosse in Cornwall's O.C.O.T. (Our Citizens Of Tomorrow) league in 1934. The next season, the two villages of Wales and St. Andrews West joined forces and entered a team. Of course, the Wheeler boys, being natives of St. Andrews, played with their home squad. This team remained intact for the next six years, through Bantam, Midget, Juvenile and Junior, winning several championships.
In 1941, the Wheeler boys made the Cornwall senior team, which played in the Quebec Senior Lacrosse League. Gabe finished in a tie for fifth in scoring, which was a tremendous accomplishment for a rookie.
In 1942, World War II was in full swing, and Gabe served as a pilot in the RCAF for two years.
In 1946, he and his brother both rejoined the Cornwall Seniors. Gabe enjoyed an outstanding season, winning the league scoring championship and finishing second in MVP voting by a 32 to 31 vote. Although diminutive in size, with a playing weight of 126 pounds, he would win scoring championships again in 1948, '49, '50, '52 and '53. In '47, Gabe was back in school, preparing for college, and missed the first half of the season. In '51, Tony won the scoring title, with Gabe one point back.
His explosive offensive feats led to his being named captain of the Cornwall team starting in 1948 until his retirement after the 1953 season at the age of 32.
Gabe lived in St. Andrews West until his death on March 23rd, 1987 -2 weeks short of his 66th birthday
David Wheeler accepting on behalf of his fatherGabe Wheeler from Dave Alguire.