Red McCarthy

{{Short description|Canadian co-inventor of ringette, recreation director, ice hockey player (1930–1995)}} {{Infobox person | name = Mirl Arthur "Red" McCarthy | image = Mirl "Red" McCarthy Founder of Ringette.jpg | alt =  | caption = Mirl "Red" McCarthy Founder of ringette<ref name=RCHOFredmccarthy /> | birth_name = Mirl Arthur McCarthy | birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|03|12}} | birth_place = Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada | death_date = {{Death date and age|1995| | |1930|03|12}} | death_place = | nationality = | other_names = "Red McCarthy" | occupation = Sportsman, coach | years_active = {{Plainlist| * 1949–54 - professional ice hockey * 1954–95 - recreation director }} | known_for = {{Plainlist| * Founder of ringette * Director of recreation and sport * Member of NORDA (Northern Ontario Recreation Directors Association) * Ice hockey player * Sports coach * Espanola Eagles coach - 18 years * Barrel jumper at the Chicago World's Fair, 1933–1934 }} | height = 5 ft 11 in<ref name=hockeydb>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=25728 |title=Mirl "Red" McCarthy |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref> }} '''Mirl Arthur "Red" McCarthy''' (March 12, 1930 – 1995) was a Canadian sportsperson, sport and recreation administrator, ice hockey player, founder and co-inventor of the sport of ringette, and for a time, a professional skating star and barrel jumper.<ref name=hockeydb>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=25728 |title=Mirl "Red" McCarthy |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref> He was inducted into the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame as a Founder in 1998.<ref name=RCHOFredmccarthy>{{cite web |url=https://www.ringette.ca/inductees/miri-red-mccarthy/|title=Ringette Canada HALL OF FAME {{!}} Mirl (Red) McCarthy {{!}} 1930-1995 {{!}} Founder {{!}} Inducted 1988|website=ringette.ca|author= |date=2022 |access-date=24 September 2022|publisher=Ringette Canada|language=en}}</ref>

==Biography== [[File:Black Forest Village (NBY 417446).jpg|thumb|"Red McCarthy on Ice" - performing barrel jumping. Postcard: 1933 Century of Progress, Exposition Chicago, Black Forest Village Ice Skating]] [[File:Black Forest Village (NBY 415884).jpg|thumb|Black Forest Village at Chicago's Century of Progress, 1934 advertisement]] Born in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario and raised in Sudbury, he grew up to be a star athlete in baseball, football, track and field, and ice hockey. His hockey career included stops with Toronto St. Michael's College, Barrie Flyers,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/roster_gallery.php?tid=830&sid=1950|title=1949-50 Barrie Flyers [OHA] Photo Gallery |website=hockeydb.com|access-date=21 February 2022|publisher= |language=en}}</ref> Boston Olympics,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/boston-olympics-10582.html|title=Boston Olympics Statistics and History [1949-1952 EHL]|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=20 February 2022|publisher= |language=en}}</ref> Nelson B.C. Maple Leafs, Sudbury Caruso Miners, and Sudbury Wolves of the Canadian Senior Hockey League.<ref name=hockeydb>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=25728 |title=Mirl "Red" McCarthy |website=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref> McCarthy played in three ice hockey leagues over the course of his career: the Ontario Hockey League, the Eastern Amateur Hockey League, and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association.

At the Chicago World's Fair, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, McCarthy was photographed participating in barrel jumping, a discipline of speed skating, at the Black Forest Village.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}{{when|date=February 2023}}

In 1954, at the age of 24, he became recreation director of Espanola, Ontario and held the position for forty-one years. He became actively involved in all aspects of Espanola's recreational programs and was instrumental in forming the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) Junior A Hockey League, and the Espanola Eagles Junior A hockey team. He coached the team for 18 years, and then managed it for four more.<ref name="Collins2004">{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Kenneth|title=The Ring Starts Here: An Illustrated History of Ringette|year=2004|publisher=Highway Book Shop|location=Cobalt, Ontario|isbn=0-88954-438-7|pages=2}}</ref> The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's ''Red McCarthy Memorial Trophy'' is named in his honour.

===Ringette===

McCarthy,<ref name=RCHOFredmccarthy /><ref name=RingetteOrigins /> a member of the Northern Ontario Recreation Directors Association (NORDA), set up the first on-ice activity, or "game", of ringette which took place at the Espanola Arena in the fall of 1963.<ref name="Collins2004" /> He drew up the first set of rules and set up the very first game between Espanola high school girls who had played high school ice hockey.<ref name=RingetteOrigins>{{cite news|last=Mayer|first=Norm|date=1989|title=The origins of ringette, Espanola's McCarthy developed the game|url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/115334911822004/posts/693664440655712/|work=The Sudbury Star}}</ref>

{{Blockquote |text=The first ring we used was a felt floor hockey ring, but we found it collected snow easily, so a deck tennis ring was used, which worked much better.<ref name=RingetteOrigins />

|title=''The origins of ringette'' |author= Norm Mayer |source=Sudbury Star (1989) }}

McCarthy had been present at a meeting when Sam Jacks brought up the fact that there was a need for a new winter team sport for girls. After Jacks's presentation, McCarthy volunteered to experiment with the new sport in Espanola where he was the recreation director and arena manager. Equipped with Jack's basic idea, McCarthy then created the first set of rules for the sport of ringette. These rules were then presented at a NORDA meeting at Moose Lake Lodge in Onaping, Ontario, on January 19–20, 1964.<ref name=Collins2004 /> Today the title of "birthplace of ringette" is shared by both North Bay, Ontario, and Espanola, Ontario, though Espanola is still recognized as the "Official Home of Ringette".<ref name="Collins2004" /> To date, McCarthy has not had a trophy or any other award in the sport named in his honour.

==Mirl "Red" McCarthy Memorial Award== The '''Red McCarthy Memorial Trophy''' is the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's award given annually to the "Coach of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nojhl.com/coach-of-the-year|title=Coach of the Year {{!}} MIRL "RED" MCCARTHY MEMORIAL TROPHY|website=nojhl.com|year=2023|access-date=7 April 2023|publisher=NOJHL Media|language=en}}</ref><ref name=RMMA1 /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nojhl/4476189423|title=Red McCarthy Memorial Trophy|website=flickr.com|author= |date=9 March 2010|access-date=27 September 2022|publisher=Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League|language=en}}</ref>

{|border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" |- bgcolor=yellow ! colspan=3| MIRL "RED" MCCARTHY MEMORIAL AWARD NOJHL Coach of the year |- bgcolor=lightgrey !align=left width=100|Season !align=left width=200|Coach of the Year !align=left width=250|Team |- !align=left|2022–23 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Peter Goulet<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nojhl.com/nojhl-names-its-2022-23-award-recipients|title=NOJHL names its 2022-23 award recipients|website=nojhl.com|date=22 March 2023|access-date=13 April 2023|publisher=NOJHL|language=en}}</ref> |Powassan Voodoos |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2021–22 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Brandon Perry |Timmins Rock |- !align=left bgcolor=lightgreen |2020–21 |align=right bgcolor=lightgreen | COVID-19 pandemic |bgcolor=lightgreen| |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2019–2000 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Dave Clancy |Espanola Express |- !align=left |2018–19 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Marc Lafleur |Hearst Lumberjacks |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2017–18 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg John Parco |Soo Thunderbirds |- !align=left |2016-17 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Kyle Brick |Blind River Beavers |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2015–16 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ryan Leonard<ref>{{cite web|url=https://klgoldminers.com/nojhl-announces-2015-16-season-award-winners|title=NOJHL ANNOUNCES 2015-16 SEASON AWARD WINNERS|website=klgoldminers.com|date=11 March 2016|access-date=7 April 2023 |publisher=NOJHL Media|language=en}}</ref> |Cochrane Crunch |- !align=left |2014–15 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Jordan Smith<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soothunderbirds.com/nojhl-announces-2014-15-award-winners|title=NOJHL announces 2014-15 award winners|website=soothunderbirds.com|date=9 March 2015|access-date=7 April 2023|publisher=NOJHL Media|language=en}}</ref> |Soo Thunderbirds |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2013–14 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Jordan Smith |Soo Thunderbirds |- !align=left |2012–13 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Marc Lafleur<ref name=RMMA1>{{cite web|url=https://klgoldminers.com/marc-lafleur-2012-2013-nojhl-coach-of-the-year|title=NOJHL Coach of the Year goes to Kirkland Lake’s Marc Lafleur – Junior Hockey News|website=klgoldminers.com|date=26 March 2013|access-date=8 April 2023|publisher=NOJHL Media|language=en}}</ref> |Kirkland Lake Gold Miners |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2011–12 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Tom McCarthy |North Bay Trappers (now the Hearst Lumberjacks) |- !align=left |2010–11 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Bruno Bragagnolo |Soo Eagles |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2009–2010 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Paul Gagné |Abitibi Eskimos (now the Timmins Rock) |- !align=left |2008–09 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ian Swalucynski |North Bay Skyhawks (now the Hearst Lumberjacks) |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2007–08 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Paul Gagné |Abitibi Eskimos |- !align=left |2006–07 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Todd Stencill<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/four-thunderbirds-honoured-by-the-nojhl-108454 |title=Four Thunderbirds honoured by the NOJHL|website=sootoday.com|author=SooToday Staff|date=14 March 2007|access-date=3 April 2023|publisher=SooToday.com|language=en}}</ref> |Blind River Beavers |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2005–06 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Darryl Moxam |Sudbury Northern Wolves (now the Greater Sudbury Cubs) |- !align=left |2004–05 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Toots Kovacs |Soo Thunderbirds |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2003–04 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Paul Gagné |Abitibi Eskimos |- !align=left |2002–03 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Paul Gagné |Abitibi Eskimos |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |2001–02 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Paul Gagné |Iroquois Falls Jr. Eskies (now the Timmins Rock) |- !align=left |2000–01 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Jim Capy |Soo Thunderbirds |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1999–2000 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ken MacKenzie |Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats |- !align=left |1998–99 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ron Guy |Parry Sound Shamrocks |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1997–98 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ken MacKenzie |Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats |- !align=left |1996–97 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ken MacKenzie<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeynewsnorth.com/nojhl/nojhl-flashback-sabrecats/|title=Flashback: RB Sabrecats |website=hockeynewsnorth.com|author=Hockey News North Staff|date=9 April 2020|access-date=7 April 2023|publisher=hockeynewsnorth.com|language=en}}</ref> |Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1995–96 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Jeff Brick |Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats |- !align=left |1994–95 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Kenn Sullivan |Timmins Golden Bears |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1993–94 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Guy Blanchard |Powassan Hawks |- !align=left |1992–93 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Kenn Sullivan |Timmins Golden Bears |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1991–92 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Guy Blanchard |Powassan Passports |- !align=left |1990–91 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Guy Blanchard |Powassan Passports |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1989–1990 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Brian Smith |Sudbury Cubs |- !align=left |1988–89 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Not Available |N/A |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1987–88 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Not Available |N/A |- !align=left |1986–87 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Not Available |N/A |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1985–86 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Not Available |N/A |- !align=left |1984–85 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Not Available |N/A |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1983–84 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Not Available |N/A |- !align=left |1982–83 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Not Available |N/A |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1981–82 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ken MacKenzie |Onaping Falls Huskies |- !align=left |1980–81 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Richard Pagnutti |Nickel Centre Native Sons |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1979–1980 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Pat Tremblay |Onaping Falls Huskies |- !align=left |1978–79 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg John Dediana |Nickel Centre Native Sons |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1977–78 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg No League |N/L |- !align=left |1976–77 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg No League |N/L |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1975–76 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg No League |N/L |- !align=left |1974–75 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg No League |N/L |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1973–74 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg No League |N/L |- !align=left |1972–73 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg No League |N/L |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1971–72 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ab Carricato |Soo Greyhounds |- !align=left |1970–71 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Ab Carricato |Soo Greyhounds |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1969–1970 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Marcel Clements |Sudbury Wolves |- !align=left |1968–69 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Walter Dubas |Soo Greyhounds |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1967–68 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Walter Dubas |Soo Greyhounds |- !align=left |1966–67 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Walter Dubas |Soo Greyhounds |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1965–66 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Red McCarthy |Espanola Eagles |- !align=left |1964–65 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Howie Parker |North Bay Trappers (now the Hearst Lumberjacks) |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" !align=left |1963–64 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Howie Parker |North Bay Trappers (now the Hearst Lumberjacks) |- !align=left |1962–63 |align=left |File:Simple_cup_icon.svg Red McCarthy |Espanola Eagles |}

==Honours== * Ringette Canada Hall of Fame - Founder (Inducted 1988)<ref name=RCHOFredmccarthy /> * Sudbury Sport Hall of Fame (2007, inducted posthumously) * Mirl "Red" McCarthy Memorial Trophy - awarded to top Coach in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League * Recreational Director of Espanola, Ontario for 41 years. * Athletic complex in Espanola named the "Red McCarthy Memorial Athletic Fields". * Ringette is one of four sports featured on the "Canadian Inventions: Sports" series issued by Canada Post stamps on August 10, 2009.<ref>{{cite book|title=Canada Post Stamp Details, Volume XVIII, No. 3|date=July–September 2009|page=18}}</ref>

== See also == *Sam Jacks *Ringette *Ringette in Canada

==Further reading== * Collins, Kenneth Stewart (2004). The Ring Starts Here: An Illustrated History of Ringette. * Hall, Margaret Ann (2016). The Girl and the Game: A History of Women's Sport in Canada. University of Toronto Press. * Hall, Margaret Ann; Pfister, Gertrud. Honoring the Legacy: Fifty Years of the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{HockeyDB|id=25728| name=Mirl "Red" McCarthy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McCarthy, Red}} Category:Ringette Category:20th-century Canadian inventors Category:1930 births Category:1995 deaths Category:Ice hockey people from Greater Sudbury Category:Creators of sports Category:Canadian male speed skaters Category:Barrie Flyers players Category:Boston Olympics players Category:Sudbury Wolves players Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen