When talk turns to Manitoba’s legion of “all round athletes” in this millennium, the name of Ward Wood McVey holds a lofty position.

McVey excelled in baseball, football and hockey during the 1920’s and the start of the 1930’s.

In baseball, McVey won the league batting crown in both 1922 (.342) and 1923 (.358). With the Tammany Tigers Senior champions, McVey not only managed the Bengals, he served as a first sacker and outfielder in 1924. In the 1930 playoffs between the Dokey Tigers and the Arenas, he is remembered as the slugging first baseman who lashed out a pair of triples, a double and a single in four at bats.

McVey starred on the line with the 1925 Tammany Tigers football side, the first Winnipeg team to play in the Grey Cup.

In hockey, the husky McVey made his junior debut with the Tammany Tigers in 1922. In 1923, McVey was the king-pin on the Bengals defence. He also was the big gun on the Tigers offence. For a man of his size, McVey was blessed with speed, clever stick-handling ability and packed a shot referred to at the time as being a cannonball.

McVey was a member of the 1928 Allan Cup champion Manitoba Varsity team.

Two years later he was with the Varsity Grads on a two-month tour of Europe, finishing with a record of 34 wins and a tie. Overseas he drew rave reviews for his defensive play and his hockey career was capped with winning the 1930 World Championship in Krynica, Poland with a perfect 5-0 record and not allowing a goal to be scored.

Ward Wood McVey also served as president of the Granite Curling Club 1957-58 and was an active member at the Niakwa Country Club.