Ken Babey
Ken Babey was Canada’s winningest post-secondary level hockey coach over 27 years with Calgary’s SAIT Trojans in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. Ken became the head coach of the Canada’s National Sledge Team after leaving SAIT. Ken coaching credentials are impressive, as he had the highest coaching certification possible with Hockey Canada High Performance 2 Certificate and National Coaching Certification Program Level IV. Hockey Canada benefitted from this experience starting in 1990, and in 2000, he led Hockey Canada’s Men’s Under 18 team to gold at the Four Nations Cup and in 2003, he was an assistant coach with the Men’s National Team that won gold at the Slovakia Cup.
Al Hamilton
Al Hamilton reached the pinnacle of junior hockey, bridged the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association, and represented Canada internationally. Al played junior hockey with the Edmonton Oil Kings, reaching the Memorial Cup three consecutive years and winning in 1966. He made his NHL debut the same year with the New York Rangers, playing 59 games in 1969. In the 1970 NHL expansion draft, Hamilton was the third selection of the Buffalo Sabres. In 1972, Al returned to his western roots, as a member of the Alberta Oilers. He was team captain for four seasons, and named an all-star in 1974 and 1978. Upon retirement in 1980, his number 3 jersey was the first to be retired by the franchise.
George Kallay
For more than two decades, George Kallay served as a player, parent, referee, volunteer, and executive member with Hockey Alberta, Hockey Alberta Foundation and Hockey Canada. George was Chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation (2005-09) and Chair of the Hockey Canada Development Committee (2005-08). He was involved with several minor hockey
associations: Lethbridge (player, referee), High Level (referee-in-chief), Lac La Biche (referee), and Whitecourt (referee-in-chief). Recognition includes: Hockey Alberta Development Award in 2005, Hockey Alberta Centennial Award in 2007, Hockey Canada Volunteer of the Year in 2008 and Alberta Cup 25th Anniversary Builders Award in 2011.
Lanny McDonald
Lanny McDonald was one of the most popular members of the Calgary Flames, enjoying a 16-year career in the National Hockey League, winning the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Flames, and being enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. His NHL career spanned more than 1,100 games, 500 goals and 506 assists, including 66 goals in 1982-83 for the Flames. Lanny was drafted fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1973, traded to the Colorado Rockies in 1979, and then to Calgary in 1981. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and was the first member of the Calgary Flames to have his number retired, in 1990.
Red Deer Rustlers (1979-80)
The 1979 Red Deer Rustlers captured the franchise’s second Centennial Cup as Canada’s top Junior A team. The Rustlers defeated Ontario’s North York Rangers in the national final, adding to the first title they won in 1971. Brent Sutter was named tournament MVP; Doug Rigler and Randy Moller were all-stars; and Brian Ford top goalie. The Rustlers won the AJHL regular season crown (49-9-2 record, for 100 points), with Brent Sutter named league MVP and scoring champion with 171 points, which is still the league record. Rigler was AJHL’s Rookie of the Year and John Chapman was Coach of the Year. After winning the league title, the Rustlers won the Doyle Cup against Penticton Knights, and defeated Prince Albert Raiders to win the Abbott Cup.
