TORONTO

This year’s class for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is about more than just athletic success. They represent both the diverse and philanthropic nature that exists in sport in Canada.

The 2016 inductees announced Tuesday include former Argos star and coach Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons, Stanley Cup champion Bryan Trottier, Paralympian Stephanie Dixon, dual-sport Olympian Sue Holloway, speed skater Annie Perreault, and curler Colleen Jones.

Special Olympics pioneer Dr. Frank Hayden will also be inducted in the builder category at the celebration, to be held Nov. 1 in Toronto.

“A big thing for me is the number of ladies who were on stage,” Clemons, a Canadian transplant, said. “My mom was a single parent, I’ve got three girls, so to see these tremendously accomplished women, they’re just trailblazers — so many strong, phenomenal women.

“That was a ray of sunshine for me.”

Dixon, a Paralympic record holder in two swimming events, said she felt motivated by the honour.

“The most humbling part is being on stage with such an inspiring group of individuals and athletes, hearing their bios I was just like, ‘wow, there’s so much left for me to accomplish!

“I’m just leaving here so inspired to keep going, to keep being apart of the Paralympic movement in Canada and keep inspiring the next generation,” said Dixon, who was born without her right hip and leg and has won 19 Paralympic medals.

For Trottier, whose grandparents on his father’s side were Aboriginal (Metis-Cree/Chippewa), the women being honoured this year have inspired him to make sport in Canada even more diverse.

“The diversity of Canada’s sports and the successes they’ve achieved throughout generations is tremendous,” the seven-time Stanley Cup champion said. “These athletes, the female athletes especially, are so inspiring. I wish my daughters were here to hear these stories because they are just wonderful people.”

Trottier, a former NHL scoring champ and MVP, was instrumental in starting an Aboriginal hockey team that has toured the country to provide clinics to youth.

“I try to get to the remote areas of Canada because we’re like Santa Clause coming in,” he said. “We just want to tell these kids, ‘we were you when we were your age and you’ve got to have a dream.’ It’s in my blood.”

Clemons, who became a Canadian citizen almost exactly a year ago, has helped build more than 200 schools in Africa while also supporting thousands of underprivileged Toronto youth through his Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons Foundation.

“With the exception of my wife and children, becoming a Canadian citizen was probably the greatest gift of my adult life,” the pro football all-purpose yards record holder said. “For many years I considered myself more Canadian than American. I didn’t expect it to be so emotional.

“The U.S. is like my mom, that’s who gave birth to me, but Canada is like my wife, that’s who I live with and choose to stay with. It’s been a wonderful treasure.”