BUILDER – HOCKEY – INDUCTED IN 2015
Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, the Georgetown Intermediate Raiders had talented players and excellent coaching but would not have become a powerhouse without a way to fund the operation.
Finn Poulstrup was a team sponsor until Dave Kentner recruited him to take over his fundraising duties. Poulstrup’s fundraising efforts made it possible for the Raiders to remain a perennial championship contender.
The team relied heavily on fundraising for an annual budget as high as $150,000 and Poulstrup’s sales of sponsorships, program ads and 50/50 tickets played a major role in bankrolling the team.
He was the Raiders’ vice-president in 1982 when they won the Hardy Cup, the Canadian Intermediate A championship. He became team president the following season and moved the Raiders to the Senior A ranks.
With the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Council, Poulstrup continued fundraising, launching an oldtimers tournament in 1985 that has raised money for the council and local charities for 40-plus years.
Poulstrup served as president of the Georgetown Jr. Raiders from 1990-97 and was the secretary for the Provincial Junior Hockey League from 1993-2009, writing the league’s constitution, which became a model for leagues across Canada.
With Bob Hooper, he organized several international exhibition games and the Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Central Canadian Jr. A championship, hosted by Georgetown in 2005.
The 2010 Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award recipient was a founding member of the Halton Hills Sports Museum and Resource Centre, raising more than $700,000 to launch the project in 2000. He was the organization’s chairman for 24 years, overseeing the creation of the Halton Hills Sports Hall of Fame.
Poulstrup was co-chair of the Stay at Home and Play campaign, raising more than $2-million for three new arenas in Halton Hills.
He still found time to referee minor hockey and coach, winning two Tri-County championships.