Weir, who stepped down last spring, is responsible for a number of innovative changes to the way the game is played.
Hockey historian C. Scott Holland said alterations Weir helped implement include “the overtime loss points and shootout formats, the checking-from-behind penalty, plus the Kick-Off Tournament. The Western Jr. 'B' league was the first to embrace the shootout format.”
Holland added, “Issues like hazing and the way clubs have been run have been addressed by Weir and his board.”
Weir, who lost a teenage son to a motor vehicle accident, has also urged member teams to do what they can to curb drinking and driving.
The Legionnaires have helped out in that department, giving local police thousands of free tickets over the past four seasons to hand out to motorists at RIDE checks.
On top of that, Weir set up a weekend last fall for league members to discuss ways of limiting the number of concussions.
This is not the first time Weir has been celebrated. In fact, several years ago the league's championship trophy was renamed in his honour. Officially, it's known as the Bill Weir Trophy but it is popularly referred to by fans as the 'Weir Cup.'
Also Thursday, spectators are being asked to bring non-perishable food, which will be donated to the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
In return, they will receive a ticket for a chance to win an autographed Legionnaire jersey.
