David Duchak
Dave Duchak was the first Commissioner of the Alberta Junior Hockey League when it was founded in 1965, and the AJHL’s regular season champion trophy is named in his honour. He was a founding and executive member, as well as player-coach, of the Calgary Stampeder Hockey Club in 1939-41. He managed the team from 1942, including when the team captured Alberta’s first Allan Cup in 1945-46.
Dave was also a founder of the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Club and helped organize and managed the Calgary Buffalo Athletic Association, which became the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Association.
Dave Ganley
One of the longest serving directors on Hockey Alberta’s Referee Council, Dave Ganley has been involved with the development and administration of officials in Alberta for approximately 30 years. Dave was a member of the Hockey Development Council for over 15 years and a life member of the Hockey Alberta Referee Council.
Dave has been recognized by Hockey Alberta and the Provincial Referee Council for numerous awards including the Hockey Development Award. In 2008, a grassroots officials award named after him to recognize contribution and commitment to referee development in Alberta.
Don Dillon
One of the founders of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association’s Minor Council in the late 1950’s, Don Dillon was chair of the council for 14 years. He was instrumental in forming what is now known today as the structure of the Minor Hockey Zones in Alberta.
Don later went on to assist the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association in the formation of a National Minor Hockey Council.
Ed Chynoweth
As the Western Hockey League President from 1972-96, Ed Chynoweth was instrumental in the development of Major Junior Hockey throughout Canada. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008 and a member of the selection committee, some of Ed’s significant accomplishments include the development of WHL scholarship program, Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, the International Centre of Excellence and helping bring the World Junior Hockey Championships to Alberta in 1995 to Red Deer. The Chynoweth trophy, awarded to the top scorer at the Memorial Cup tournament, is named in his honour.
Camrose Lutheran College Vikings (1974-75)
The first Alberta college team to win a national championship at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association level, the Camrose Lutheran College Vikings were pioneers and leaders. Under coach Joe Voytechek, the 390-student college became a national champion by beating larger schools such as NAIT and Red Deer College to win the Alberta college crown. The Vikings defeated Selkirk College in the Four West Championship and then St. Clair College to win the CCAA National Championship in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Vikings were one of the first colleges to tour Europe and that led to the creation of the Viking Cup. The tournament, held in Camrose, became a significant international tournament.
Edmonton Oil Kings (1962-63)
Edmonton won its first ever Memorial Cup, symbol of national junior hockey supremacy, in 1963. Playing in front of record crowds, the hometown Oil Kings defeated Eastern Canada’s champions, Niagara Falls Flyers, 4-2, in what was described by many as “the best Memorial Cup ever”.
The Oil Kings qualified for the Memorial Cup by defeating Calgary Buffaloes, Trail Smoke Eaters, Estevan Bruins and finally the Brandon Wheat Kings to capture the Abbott Cup, emblematic of western junior hockey championship. The team was coached by Buster Brayshaw and led on the ice by Bob Falkenberg, Max Mestinsek, Gregg Pilling, Pat Quinn and Glen Sather.
John L. Gibson
Recognized as the “founder of professional hockey in North America,” John Gibson was the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association’s third President in 1910-11 and was instrumental in developing early residency rules for hockey clubs that fostered the growth of hockey in many communities.
Originally from Berlin, Ontario (now Kitchener), John moved to Calgary after earning his dentistry degree and completed his playing career. As one of the Founders of the Glenn Coe Club in Calgary and an avid sportsman, John was a significant figure is Calgary’s Sports history up until his passing in 1954.
