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Date of Birth: 1915
Place of Birth: Bell Island, Nfld.
Inducted: 1996 (Player Category)

Bob Petrie was one of the finest hockey players produced on Bell Island and, from 1932 to 1948, he was ranked as one of the top performers in local and provincial senior hockey. This ranking was particularly true on the Avalon Peninsula.

Often playing on a line with his brothers, he had remarkable skill as a stickhandler and, combined with exceptional skating ability, he earned an excellent reputation for his playmaking capabilities. During his 16-year senior stint, he performed with a variety of teams and, in all cases, was one of the better players on the ice.

Most of his success came while he wore a Bell Island uniform. The Miners emerged as provincial senior champions and winners of the Herder Memorial Trophy in 1941 and 1944 and, on both occasions, Petrie proved the leadership with many of the goals and assists coming at important times in a game. A very effective centre, Petrie skated for four Bell Island teams that took the Crawford Trophy as Avalon Peninsula champions in 1938, 1940, 1941 and 1944. He excelled in local island-wide competition and in exhibition games against such clubs as the Sydney Millionaires.

A Most Valuable Player award winner in 1941, Petrie was a member of the Newfoundland Militia team that earned the YMCA Trophy, and was a valuable member of the Royals of the St. John’s League in 1945 and 1946. It was with the Royals that he held his own in exhibition games against star-studded Canadian Navy and R.C.A.F squads that included some NHL players.

A leg injury while trying out for an Ontario team in 1949 ended his career.