“Amby” McAvoy was born in 1893 in Owen Sound, Ontario. “Amby” attended the University of Western Ontario where, as a star player at the“Rover” position, he led the underdog Western hockey team to the provincial championship over undefeated Wiarton, and was named M.V.P. for the series. With the outbreak of WW1, “Amby” enlisted in the R.C.A.F.. After WW1, local hockey businessmen, Tommy Lannan and Harold Foote, recruited “Amby” to come to Port Colborne and play for the Sailors. In 1920-21, after “Amby” had retired as a player, he was Secretary/Treasurer of the Junior Hockey Club that became the O.H.A. Champions.
He settled in Port Colborne, married a local girl, Florence Amenthe Reeb and raised two sons, Kenneth Ambrose and Allen Vincent. He became Division Court Clerk in 1922 and began a successful insurance business which continues to operate to this day.
His love of hockey had “Amby” as coach of the Port Colborne Lions Provincial Midget Champions in 1940-41. This team included his son Allen and future NHL stars Don Gallinger (Boston Bruins) and Ted “Teeder” Kennedy (Toronto Maple Leafs). At this time he also served on the executive of the O.H.A. and O.M.H.A. He was 2nd Vice President of the O.M.H.A. at the time of his death in 1948.
In honour of “Amby” and his contributions to minor hockey, the O.M.H.A. annually presents their A.P McAvoy Memorial Trophy to the All Ontario Midget “D” Champions to compliment a true gentleman dedicated to youth, hockey and his community.
