Johnny Ballendine Jr.
Induction Year: 2025
Category: Athlete
Johnny (John) Ballendine Jr. was born on November 17th, 1909 and was raised in Battleford where he also attended school. He played his hockey in Battleford and in his senior years he played with the Sunrise Millers along with his five other brothers. All the brothers were very good “Athletes”, Johnny was chosen to play with the Sunrise Miller team to go to Japan in 1935 to play exhibition games.
Johnny played center position. This team was picked by F. Leo Bishop of Bishop Milling Co. in Battleford. On their way to catch the boat to Japan, they played exhibition games in Vancouver , Portland and Seattle before their long boat ride. Once in Japan, they played 20 exhibition games and like expected dominated the Japanese teams. Many games were played in department stores where there was artificial ice even in 1935.
Years later Johnny coached the Battleford Millers team. In 1957 he was also one of the founding members of the Battleford Community Youth Club, better known as B.C.Y.C.