Calgary honours icon Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart at Walk of Fame ceremony
Posted Sep 12, 2022 1:02 pm.
Last Updated Sep 12, 2022 1:18 pm.
Bret “Hitman” Hart, a Calgary icon and professional wrestling legend, was honoured with a Walk of Fame celebration and plaque Monday.
Hart was given a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in downtown Toronto in 2021.
A replica commemorative plaque of Hart’s star will be installed at the Victoria Pavilion at the Stampede Grounds.
The free event was open to the public and featured performances by Siksika Nation’s Sorrel Rider Drum Group and 15-year-old Kaiya Gamble. Elder Clement Leather also led a blessing at the ceremony.
Bret ‘Hitman” Hart speaks to reporters after receiving a replica plaque of his star on Canada’s Walk of Fame at the Victoria Pavilion on Stampede Grounds. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo)
“As part of their induction to Canada’s Walk of Fame, each Inductee receives a $10,000 donation to the charity or cause of their choice,” reads a release from Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Hart chose to split his donation between Siksika Nation’s SN7 youth program and Water First, donating $5,000 to both.
Hart’s ties to Calgary run deep: he wrestled at Mount Royal University (then called Mount Royal College), and co-founded, as well as inspired the namesake of, the Calgary Hitmen WHL hockey team.
He is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers of all time and was the face of the World Wrestling Federation — now known as World Wrestling Entertainment — for years during the 90s.
