Jack Wells
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| "Cactus" Jack Wells | |
| Born | May 13, 1911 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan |
|---|---|
| Died | May 26, 1999 (aged 88) Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
John Hampson Wells (Born May 13, 1911 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Died May 26, 1999) who was also known as Cactus Jack was a Winnipeg-based radio and television broadcaster specializing in sports.
Wells career began in 1936. While listening to a hockey broadcast on CFQC, Jack boasted he could do a better job than the guy on the mike. Dared by a chum to prove his claim, Jack applied for a job at the station, and was hired.
In 1939, he joined CJAT in Trail, British Columbia as an all-round announcer and play by play man for the Trail Smoke Eaters.
In 1941, he got a job as a sports announcer at CJRC in Winnipeg. CJRC provided Wells with his first experience in football broadcasting, and he began calling games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Jack became a free-lance broadcaster after gaining the exclusive rights to broadcast from Shea's Amphitheatre and Osborne Stadium which, in turn gave him the right to sell time to any one of the Winnipeg stations.
It was during an announcing stint on CKY that Jack acquired his nickname. When Jack filled-in for Porky Charbonneau on his western show, it occurred to Jack that he, should have a moniker and adopted "Cactus" and it became one of the most famous in Canadian broadcasting.
During his career, Jack Wells broadcasted on four Winnipeg stations - CKRC, CKY, CJOB and CFRW. In the early 50s, he became the first television voice of Western Conference Football for the CFL on CBC. In 1952, Wells turned down the play by play job on Hockey Night in Canada to remain in Winnipeg. The job eventually went to the Danny Gallivan. [1]
Wells was closely associated with the national curling scene, beganing in 1952 when he covered his first Macdonald Brier. In the following years, Wells reported on provincial events in Manitoba, the Brier, the women's Macdonald Lassie and the World Curling Championships. Wells was appointed Head of Public Relations in Western Canada for Macdonald Tobacco in 1970. [2]
Jack was inducted to the CAB Hall of Fame in 1988.
In recognition of his broadcasting career the City of Winnipeg named a street linking Canad Inns Stadium and the former site of Winnipeg Arena after him.
“Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
His son, John Wells worked with him at CKY and later became the first football play by play man at TSN.
