Dr. Donald D.R. "Randy" McLennan
Dr. McLennan’s renowned achievements in hockey, lacrosse, football and Caledonia Games that began here in the Glens about 100 years ago will be perpetuated for all time by his induction into the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame next July 8 at the Glengarry Sports Palace.
On September 30, 1870. Duncan F. McLennan and his wife the former Christena Brown, Straight Road west of Williamstown, became the parents of a baby boy. He was christened Donald David Randolph McLennan.
As a teenager, Randy McLennan demonstrated he intended to combine his studies with athletics. This was evident while he attended Williamstown High School.
As a talented young lacrosse player, Randy McLennan joined the world champion Cornwall Lacrosse team. While still only a senior high school student, he was a medal winner at Caledonia Games in Glengarry, Cornwall, Ottawa and Montreal.
Randy McLennan emerged prominently in university sport in 1983-94. As a medical student he played hockey with Queen’s University in intercollegiate and senior OHA hockey. The following year was historic in the annals of Williamstown sport history. The young lad from “West the Road” played on Queen’s forward line in the Golden Gaels Stanley Cup challenge play against the Montreal M.A.A.S. They lost 5-1.
The Queen’s hockey team of that era was rated among the leaders in the Ontario Hockey Association next to professional. In the 1896, Queen’s defeated Stratford 11-4 to win the OHA championship. They then played an international series with Pittsburgh, PA. Randy McLennan was listed in Queen’s hockey records as a good rusher and trick stick handler.
On the gridiron, Randy McLennan was a luminary carrying the football as he was in hockey. He was a member of Queen’s intercollegiate football winners and their Dominion champions, the Grey Cup of today.
Dr. Donald David Randolph McLennan after graduation was lured to the Yukon by the magnetic Gold Rush of 1898. He continued to play hockey. Then in 1905, Randy was a member of the Dawson City, Yukon hockey team that challenged Ottawa’s famed Silver Seven in Stanley Cup play. Thus Randy set an all time Glengarry hockey playing record by taking part for the second time in a Stanley Cup Series.
Randy McLennan mined for a number of years and for a time was mining recorder. He died December 12, 1935. He was survived by his wife the former Margaret Kinney.