Kingston’s Original Hockey Hall of Fame announces new president

After serving 19 years as president and dedicating nearly 40 years to the organization, Mark Potter is stepping down from his role at the helm of the Original Hockey Hall of Fame.

A well-known personality in the local hockey scene, Potter joined Kingston’s Original Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981, and was elected President in 2000. As Potter steps down for retirement, Larry Paquette will assume the role of President of the organization. Paquette has served as Vice President of the Original Hockey Hall of Fame for the past 20 years.

“I am extremely proud and thankful to have had the opportunity to be the longest serving President of an organization steeped in history,” Potter said at the organization’s recent annual general meeting. “We will continue to tell Kingston’s remarkable hockey story and with Larry Paquette at the helm the Hall is in good hands.”

At the same meeting, Paquette explained the impact Potter has had on the Hall of Fame.

“Mark Potter has done more for our Hall of Fame than anyone since our founder Captain Sutherland,” Paquette said. “His remarkable dedication to the museum over four decades and his great passion for Kingston’s hockey history is unmatched.”

Paquette also expressed excitement to begin work in his new position as President.

“I look forward to the challenge of leading our Hall of Fame going forward and to continue the great tradition that started over 75 years ago,” he said.

Founded in Kingston by the NHL and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association in 1943, the Original Hockey Hall of Fame celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2019. The new executive of the organization also includes Paul Cridland elected to the position of Vice President, and Tony Overvelde as Treasurer.

But former sports broadcaster Potter, who was inducted into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, won’t be a stranger to the organization in his retirement. According to a press release from the Original Hockey Hall of Fame, Potter will continue to work on special projects for the organization.

Stay tuned for an upcoming Kingstonist podcast where Tim ‘The Coach’ Cunningham will sit down with Potter to reflect on his time and work at the Original Hockey Hall of Fame.

For more information on the Original Hockey Hall of Fame, click here.