Jon Thordarson
July 31, 1950 – March 13, 2010
Inducted 2026
Primary Outlet
Winnipeg Free Press
Jon Thordarson would have hated being described as a legend.
But that is the perfect word to sum up a famously humble man who became one of Canada's most respected photojournalists during a 37-year career in newspapers, including 21 years at the helm of the photo department for the Winnipeg Free Press.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without Jon Thordarson," said Mike Aporius, the Free Press's current director of photography and multimedia. "He was just incredibly supportive from the first second I met him.
"He's a legend in the field of photography. Everybody knew about Jon. He took me under his wing. I learned so much from him. I learned how to shoot photos and how to manage people."
Thordarson began his remarkable newspaper journey as a copyboy at the Winnipeg Tribune in the early 1970s, but quickly became one of that paper's finest photographers.
If you've seen any of the iconic photos of the Winnipeg Jets from their early days in the World Hockey Association, you've seen his work. While always a consummate professional, he also had a feisty competitive spirit.
When the Jets won the Avco Cup in the late 1970s, Thordarson snapped THE photo of famous hockey duo Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg hoisting the trophy over their heads. He then mischievously plucked the Cup out of their hands so no other media could replicate the historic shot.
When the Tribune folded in 1980, Thordarson worked briefly at the Hamilton Spectator before the Winnipeg Sun offered him a job. The Free Press poached him from the Sun in 1989, making him photo editor.
As an editor, Thordarson not only championed his own photo crew to ensure their work found space in the next day's newspaper, but also made time to mentor many of the country's best young photographers.
Amid the constant chaos of a modern newsroom, Thordarson remained an oasis of calm and compassion.
"He was always very calm, but when he fought for something, he meant it," Aporius recalled, his voice tinged with emotion.
Thordarson was revered by colleagues, friends and family for his quiet, self-effacing heroism during a gruelling eight-year battle with cancer. During that time, whenever someone asked how he was holding up, he refused to complain.
"Only good days and great days!" he would routinely chirp, flashing a trademark grin.
Early in his cancer battle, his doctors told him he had three months to live. He refused to listen and continued working, cycling and inspiring for another five years. Fiercely proud of his Icelandic heritage, Thordarson never failed to point out that the Winnipeg Falcons, comprised largely of Icelandic Winnipeggers, won the first Olympic gold medal for ice hockey in 1920.
Thordarson died March 13, 2010, at the age of 59. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and their five children - Erik, Lara, Elin, Karl and Kryn. In 2013, he was inducted posthumously into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt.
Jon Thordarson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2026.
But that is the perfect word to sum up a famously humble man who became one of Canada's most respected photojournalists during a 37-year career in newspapers, including 21 years at the helm of the photo department for the Winnipeg Free Press.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without Jon Thordarson," said Mike Aporius, the Free Press's current director of photography and multimedia. "He was just incredibly supportive from the first second I met him.
"He's a legend in the field of photography. Everybody knew about Jon. He took me under his wing. I learned so much from him. I learned how to shoot photos and how to manage people."
Thordarson began his remarkable newspaper journey as a copyboy at the Winnipeg Tribune in the early 1970s, but quickly became one of that paper's finest photographers.
If you've seen any of the iconic photos of the Winnipeg Jets from their early days in the World Hockey Association, you've seen his work. While always a consummate professional, he also had a feisty competitive spirit.
When the Jets won the Avco Cup in the late 1970s, Thordarson snapped THE photo of famous hockey duo Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg hoisting the trophy over their heads. He then mischievously plucked the Cup out of their hands so no other media could replicate the historic shot.
When the Tribune folded in 1980, Thordarson worked briefly at the Hamilton Spectator before the Winnipeg Sun offered him a job. The Free Press poached him from the Sun in 1989, making him photo editor.
As an editor, Thordarson not only championed his own photo crew to ensure their work found space in the next day's newspaper, but also made time to mentor many of the country's best young photographers.
Amid the constant chaos of a modern newsroom, Thordarson remained an oasis of calm and compassion.
"He was always very calm, but when he fought for something, he meant it," Aporius recalled, his voice tinged with emotion.
Thordarson was revered by colleagues, friends and family for his quiet, self-effacing heroism during a gruelling eight-year battle with cancer. During that time, whenever someone asked how he was holding up, he refused to complain.
"Only good days and great days!" he would routinely chirp, flashing a trademark grin.
Early in his cancer battle, his doctors told him he had three months to live. He refused to listen and continued working, cycling and inspiring for another five years. Fiercely proud of his Icelandic heritage, Thordarson never failed to point out that the Winnipeg Falcons, comprised largely of Icelandic Winnipeggers, won the first Olympic gold medal for ice hockey in 1920.
Thordarson died March 13, 2010, at the age of 59. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and their five children - Erik, Lara, Elin, Karl and Kryn. In 2013, he was inducted posthumously into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt.
Jon Thordarson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2026.