THE TORRIE FAMILY
Return to All Inductees
Long before becoming partners in the ownership of the Jr. Maroons Hockey Club, The Torrie and Steveley families were acquaintances as Dan and Grace’s son Shawn and Jim and Lucy’s son Mike spent a number of summers playing baseball together on various teams in Chatham. Years later the families united again when their youngest children JoAnne and Dave partnered in marriage. At that time Dave was coaching the Blenheim Blades and both families supported and followed Dave’s coaching career.
But, the Torrie coaching tradition started many years before this time. Jim Torrie already had a long involvement in sports but especially the game of hockey. For a number of years, Jim had coached in Blenheim Minor Hockey, the Blenheim Blades Jr. C Club, Chatham Sr. Maroons and the Bothwell Bullets Sr. Hockey Team. Along with his number of years in coaching various teams Jim had always been a fan and supporter of the Jr. Maroons. So, by this time Dave had spent 4 years coaching the Blenheim Blades during which he was twice named Jr. C coach of the year and at the end of the fourth year the Maroons approached him to be the GM/Coach. With some hesitation Dave spoke with his father, Jim, for advice. It was at this time that Jim first mentioned his interest in owning the Maroons and with him committing to be an advisor; Dave accepted the position with the team.
The first season proved to be difficult as many veterans chose not to return and the team was very young and inexperienced. With the team struggling and at an all time low within the community, Jim turned his attention to buying the hockey team. Finally in January of 1996 he was able to convince the owners to sell him the team. Dan Steveley came aboard as a “silent” partner and a new era was about to begin in the Maroon history.
Unfortunately at the first game following the purchase, Jim suffered a massive heart attack and passed away in the St. Mary’s arena. As a family it was a very difficult time but it also soon became apparent how popular and respected Jim was within the community as many businesses and volunteers came forward with support and a commitment to help turn the franchise around.
The 96-97 season began as the family’s first full season as owner’s and Jim’s wish of seeing the name changed from “Micmacs” to “Maroons” was implemented. It was a community effort as many businesses sponsored the team but a couple went above and beyond as Reg Denure and Chatham Coach provided free bussing for a year and Graham Watson and Louisville Slugger provided free and heavily discounted equipment. The team was involved in the community and again the community gave its support to the team and the once proud Maroon tradition was returning to the Maple City.
It took a year for the results to really show but in 97-98 the team won its first of four straight Western Jr. B Championships. Memorial arena was filled with supportive fans and the players were having fun at winning again with many advancing to NCAA scholarships and into the OHL. With the creation of the Maroon Alumni Association to promote the storied history of the franchise and supporting the current players, Jim’s original vision was fulfilled. Dave has been give much of the credit for the success of the team over the 10 year period the family owned the Maroons, but it was the efforts and support of the entire family that allowed the franchise to prosper for a decade.
Dan Steveley was truly a “silent” partner who enjoyed going to games and cheering for his team. Dan’s son Shawn had played for the Maroons in the 80’s and now Dan enjoyed being an owner of his favourite team. Dan passed away in 2006 but was able to enjoy the team’s success over the years and particularly the winning of the 1999 Sutherland Cup.
JoAnne Torrie (Steveley) was responsible for the organization being run efficiently on game days as she organized the many volunteers who helped. She spent many hours at the rink and over the years attended most every home game and away games. She built great relationships with volunteers and supporters and fostered the environment that this was everyone’s team and if you were involved then you were part of the organization and part of the family. She and Dave spent 8 years living in Sault Ste. Marie while Dave ran the local OHL team but returned home to Chatham in 2011 where they are glad to be back among their many friends and family.
Mike Torrie has long been a fan of hockey and attends numerous games at various levels. During the family’s period of ownership, Mike was an avid supporter of the team and by keeping the period by period stats at each game was involved in the coaching discussion during the breaks. Mike is an investment Consultant at London Life and also the current Secretary of the Great Lakes Jr. C League.
Lucy Torrie, Jim’s wife, supported her family and her team for the decade of the family ownership. Lucy and her friends enjoyed all the Maroon games and she was well liked by fans, volunteers, staff and players. Always friendly and with supportive words for everyone she was instrumental in the organization’s popularity within the community. Lucy still lives at Rondeau Park and enjoys attending both Blenheim Blades and Jr. Maroon games.
Dave Torrie spent 8 seasons as Coach/GM of the Jr. Maroons before accepting an offer to move to Sault Ste. Marie to become General Manager of the OHL Greyhounds. After 8 seasons in the Soo, Dave accepted a job with the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL and is currently “Head of Amateur Scouting” for them. Dave’s new job does not require him to live in Buffalo, so he and JoAnne remain in the Maple city close to their family and community.