Honoured Members Database

Gerry James (Edwin Fitzgerald James), born in Winnipeg in 1934, was one of Manitoba's most versatile athletes, excelling in hockey, football, and baseball. At the age of sixteen, James played for the Winnipeg Monarchs hockey team in the 1952 Memorial Cup competition. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who owned James's hockey rights, were so impressed that they moved him to Toronto to play for their top junior team – the Marlboros. James's exceptional play led him to turn professional with the Leafs in 1960 and he went on to play in the Stanley Cup final that same season. James is the only player in the Canadian history to have played in a Grey Cup and Stanley Cup final.

However, Gerry James was best known as a superb football player. Signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the age of seventeen in 1952, James enjoyed a brilliant eleven-year career and was the team's leading scorer from 1960-62. He was the Bombers' leading rusher in 1954 (106 carries for 576 yards), 1955 (189 carries for 1205 yards), and 1957 (197 carries for 1192 yards). James has the fourth highest career total for points scored (601), is third in team carries with 991 attempts, and is fourth overall in rushing with 5541 yards. In 1957 and 1960, James received the Dave Dryborough Memorial Trophy as the Western Conference's leading scorer and was the Schenley Award winner as the most outstanding Canadian Football League player in 1954 and 1957. He is also a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Hall of Fame.

When he retired from competitive football, James remained active in hockey. In 1963, He coached in Switzerland and managed hockey teams in Yorkton, Estevan, and Moose Jaw of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in the 1980's. James currently resides in British Columbia.

Gerry James is also a member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.