Dean Schmeichel was fearless on the wrestling mat. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Hall of Fame

Former Carlton student inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Mar 30, 2023 | 5:00 PM

One of the latest inductees into the Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) Hall of Fame is a man who once called Prince Albert home.

Dean Schmeichel, 49, is a five-time national champion and also a two-time Canadian Olympic Trials champion. He also won medals at both the Commonwealth and Pan American games. Speaking with paNOW, he said he was very proud of the national induction.

“Its nice to be recognized and it’s nice to have your career as a whole recognized,” he explained

Prior to his accomplishments on the international stage, Schmeichel was winning championships for Carlton Comprehensive High School, and has fond memories of his first national and world championships when he was only 15 and in grade 10.

“That national championship, which was called the Cadet back then, and that world championship, has just as much meaning to me as any other, maybe more,” he said.

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Thousands of students walk by Dean’s picture every day. (Submitted photo)

In 1990, Dean won silver at the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association finale, and the following year, was named the the World Junior Festival champion. He also won bronze at the CAWA tournament finals, and was junior SAWA and SHSAA champion.

After high school, Schmeichel moved to Regina where he continued his wrestling career and graduated with a degree in education.

In 1999, Dean moved to Calgary to meet his national team obligations and five times in the next six years was the national senior champion in his weight class.

In 2000, Schmeichel was on the Canadian Olympic Team sent to Sydney, Australia. One of his teammates, Justin Abdoe, a wrestler from Moose Jaw, was the one who nominated Schmeichel for the national hall of fame.

“We took a lot of pride in being two Saskatchewan kids in a team of four,” Schmeichel recalled.

Schmeichel retired from the Canadian team in 2006, but even 17 years later, the passion still courses through his veins and he is currently a coach with the Jr. Dinos Wrestling Club in Calgary. One of his more eager students happens to be his young son.

In 2006, Schmeichel was inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame, Brian Vickers helped coach Schmeichel in high school and was also the person who nominated him.

“It’s always nice when someone you are involved with has success. It makes you feel good,” Vickers said when contacted by paNOW

Reflecting on his time coaching Schmeichel, Vickers recalled a thinly framed 105 pound young kid who attended their first provincials in Grade 8

“When he was little, he was always wanting to improve,” Vickers explained, adding Schmeichel was always an athletic kid but also very hard on himself and after making mistakes, worked extra hard to improve.

“Anyone that sort of excels in any sort of sporting thing, it’s a great deal of time and effort,” he said

Banners baring Dean’s name still hang at Carlton. (Submitted photo)

In 2007, Dean was inducted into the U of R’s Sports Hall of Fame. (University of Regina)

Schmeichel’s wrestling career spanned close to 20 years. (Submitted/ Dean Schmeichel)

Also being inducted this year in the national hall of fame are athlete Lyndsay Belisle and John Cook in the builder’s section.

In a statement from WCL Executive Director Tamara Medwidsky, she said the WCL is proud to have this prestigious class of individuals enter the Hall of Fame in 2023.

“They all had stand out careers and made a positive impact on the sport of wrestling. I wish to extend my congratulations to Lyndsay, Dean and John for this well-deserved honour,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell