On January 14, 2026, Concordia men’s hockey alum Jim Corsi proudly carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Italy — a fitting tribute to a remarkable athletic career that began with the Stingers and spanned continents and decades.
Corsi’s journey as an elite athlete started at Concordia University, where he was one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history. A rare two-sport standout, he played five years of varsity soccer and three years of men’s hockey, earning All-Canadian honours in both sports and helping the soccer team win a national championship in 1973. In hockey, his final season between the pipes was nothing short of spectacular: he recorded six shutouts with a 1.16 goals-against average, and in 1976 became the first recipient of the Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy as the outstanding player in Canadian university hockey. That same year he collected multiple honours including the Loyola Campus Medal, the Brodrick Award, and Concordia Male Athlete of the Year.
Corsi’s impact on Concordia athletics was recognized with his induction into the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame in 1997, and his jersey number was later retired — an honour reserved for the university’s most iconic athletes.
After graduating in 1976, Corsi went on to a professional hockey career that included time with the Quebec Nordiques (WHA), Edmonton Oilers, and Minnesota North Stars (NHL), before moving to Europe, where he competed in the Italian first division and represented Italy at the 1984 Olympic Games and multiple World Championships.
Carrying the Olympic torch in Italy was a poignant moment for Corsi — one that celebrated the spirit of sport that defined his life, from his breakthrough days as a dual-sport Stinger to his international accomplishments on and off the ice. His story continues to inspire the Concordia community and serves as a reminder of the lasting legacy one athlete can have across generations.
