​BRAMPTON, ON (April 10, 2026) – The City of Brampton proudly announces the 2026 inductees into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame. Three exceptional individuals will be honoured for contributions to sport and a lasting impact on the Brampton community. Their achievements will be celebrated at the 45th Annual Brampton Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this spring.​

Join us for the 45th Annual Brampton Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as we celebrate the athletes and community leaders who have shaped our city’s sporting history.

45th Annual Brampton Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The 2026 Induction Ceremony will celebrate this year’s inductees and highlight their contributions to sport and the community.

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Time: 6 pm ceremony and 7 pm reception

Location: City Hall Atrium and Conservatory, 2 Wellington St W, Brampton

Tickets are not required. Please RSVP via email to sportshalloffame@brampton.ca.

For more information, visit brampton.ca/shof​.

2026 Brampton Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

Kris Newbury, Athlete, Ice Hockey

Brampton native Kris Newbury, whose roots run deep in the city’s hockey community, is being inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in junior, professional and international hockey. After developing his game locally with the Brampton Capitals, Newbury went on to play five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Belleville Bulls and Sarnia Sting, recording an impressive 306 points in 306 games. He represented Canada at the Ivan Hlinka/Gretzky Tournament, contributing to a gold medal finish. He went on to a 16-year professional career, highlighted by 826 American Hockey League games and 76 National Hockey League appearances with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. Since retiring in 2019, he continues to give back to the game through coaching, supporting the next generation of players.

Joe Caruso, Veteran, Lacrosse

Joe Caruso is being inducted in the Veteran category in recognition of a remarkable legacy in lacrosse. Known for scoring ability, leadership and sportsmanship, Caruso built a 27-year career competing at the highest levels of the sport during his era. As captain of the 1952 Brampton Excelsiors, he led the team to Brampton’s first-ever Minto Cup championship and was named Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior A Most Valuable Player the following year. At the senior level, he was a Mann Cup finalist in 1961 and 1962. Following his playing career, Caruso remained dedicated to the sport through his involvement with the Brampton Excelsiors organization and was later inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Association Hall of Fame in 2008. Caruso passed away on April 19, 2012, at the age of 79 after a battle with Parkinson's disease, leaving a lasting legacy in Brampton lacrosse and across the broader sporting community.

Derek Perera, Builder, Cricket

Derek Perera is being inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame for his exceptional contributions to cricket as a player, coach and administrator. A Brampton-born athlete, Perera represented Canada internationally at both the junior and senior levels and competed in international tournaments across Europe and Asia. In 2003, he founded the Ontario Cricket Academy, which has introduced more than 20,000 students to the sport and helped develop athletes who have gone on to represent Canada internationally. As head coach of the Ontario Schools Cricket Association, he has coached tens of thousands of students and trained more than 1,000 teachers to deliver cricket programming in schools. Perera’s dedication has played a significant role in growing cricket participation in Brampton and across Ontario.

About the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame

Founded in 1979, the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame honours individuals and teams who have achieved outstanding athletic success or made meaningful contributions to the development of sport in the community. Each year, new inductees are selected by the Hall of Fame Committee, an official committee of Council, in the categories of Athletes, Builders, Veterans and Teams.

The Brampton Sports Hall of Fame will relocate to the revitalized Victoria Park Arena​, anticipated to open in 2027, where it will continue celebrating Brampton’s sporting legacy.

2027 Nomination Process

Nominations for the 2027 inductees are open and members of the public are encouraged to submit nominations recognizing outstanding local athletes, builders and teams. The deadline for nominations is June 15, 2026.

To submit a nomination, visit brampton.ca/shof​.