Alberta Golden Bears (University of, 1977-80)
Class of 2010
The University of Alberta Golden Bears reigned supreme in Canadian university hockey circles, capturing the CIAU national hockey championship for three consecutive years.
Several members of these teams – including Randy Gregg, Don Spring, John Devaney, Dave Hindmarsh, Kevin Primeau and coach Clare Drake – also represented Canada at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Individually, three of the Olympians continued their careers in the NHL. The coaches – Drake and Bill Moores – went on to coach in the NHL and were both inducted into the University of Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Alberta Pandas (University of, 1999-2000)
Class of 2011
The 1999-2000 University of Alberta Pandas were the first Western Canadian team to win the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) national championship. The team had five players in the top scorers for the CIAU, with goaltender Stacey McCullough and CIAU Rookie of the Year Danielle Bourgeois also named to the CIAU All-Canadian Team.
The team remembers the semi-final game against the host Concordia Stingers as the “unofficial” championship, as the Pandas won in a shootout, with captain Sue Huculak scoring the winning goal. In the final, they defeated the McGill Marlets 2-0.
Bruce Atchison
Class of 2002
Bruce Atchison started his involvement in hockey in Ardrossan in the 1960s, coaching various teams and working to get a new arena built for the community. His involvement with Hockey Alberta began in 1983 as the Zone 2 Minor Chair, a position he held until 1988, when he was elected as the Hockey Alberta Minor Council Chair.
Bruce was recognized on several occasions for his volunteer work: 1975 with the Lions Club Award for Invaluable Service and Cooperation in Hockey; 1979, Hockey Parent of the Year; 1991, Hockey Alberta President’s Award; and in 1994 the Hockey Alberta Meritorious Award.
Ken Babey
Class of 2015
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.
Russ Barnes
Class of 1991
Russ Barnes began volunteering in the 1940s as the Sports Director for the Edmonton Eastwood Community. In 1962, Russ joined the Maple Leaf Athletic Club and held positions ranging from Equipment Manager to President until becoming the Alumni President in 1988. Russ served Hockey Alberta as the Zone 8 Minor Chair and the North Vice-Chair.
Russ was one of the founders of Sports Central, an equipment supplier for disadvantage kids, and received the Hockey Alberta President’s Award, the Canadian Hockey Association Minor Hockey Week Award and Life Membership in the Maple Leaf Athletic Club.
Bob Bartlett
Class of 2010
Bob Bartlett has had a remarkable impact on the Lethbridge hockey community, serving in many roles over more than four decades. Bob was an MVP player and an NCAA national champion with University of North Dakota, General Manager of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, scout for the Lethbridge Broncos from 1974-1985, and coach mentor, instructor and evaluator for Hockey Alberta for more than 20 years. Bob was a board member with the Lethbridge Athletics Association and Lethbridge Minor Hockey and a Director with the Hockey Alberta Foundation. He was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, the University of North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame and received the Hockey Alberta Centennial Award.
Gil Bellavance
Class of 1983
Gil Bellavance began his minor hockey involvement in 1956, and held many positions over the next 15 years, including: Sports Director, South West Zone (1958-59); Alberta Amateur Hockey Association Zone Representative (starting in 1959-65); and Minor Council Chair (1966-70). Between 1961-63, Gil helped reorganize both the South Side Athletic Club and Edmonton Minor Hockey Association.
He has been recognized by the Alberta Sports Recreation Parks and Wildlife foundation, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and Hockey Alberta.
Marv Bird
Class of 2006
For more than 30 years, Marv Bird was well-known for his leadership of hockey development in northern Alberta. His roles included: Hockey Alberta Clinic Instructor and program lead; Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association executive member for 14 years; President of Hockey Alberta (1996-98); member of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors for two years; coordinator of the Arctic Winter Games program and Alberta Cup program for several years; and chair of the hockey program at the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie. Recognition includes the Hockey Alberta Distinguished Service Award (1988), City of Grande Prairie Outstanding Citizen Award (1990), and Hockey Alberta President’s Award (1997).
Ernie Boruk
Class of 1991
During his 22 years as an official, Ernie Boruk progressed to the highest level attainable in amateur refereeing (Level 6) and refereed all levels of Minor, Junior, Senior and University hockey, as well as international events. Ernie instructed officials clinics for Hockey Alberta, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and the Western Hockey League, and supervised officials from minor hockey up to Junior A and University.
Ernie also served on the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors. In 1985, he received the Hockey Alberta President’s Award and in 1993 was awarded a Hockey Alberta Life Membership.
Roger Bourbonnais
Class of 2011
Roger Bourbannais represented Canada at two Winter Olympics, and several World Championships as a player. He started with the Edmonton Oil Kings (1960-63), winning the Memorial Cup in 1963. He joined the freshly founded Canadian National Hockey Team and travelled to the 1964 Winter Olympics in Austria, finishing fourth. Roger also represented Canada at the 1965, 1966 and 1967 IIHF World Championships capturing two bronze medals.
In 1968, he once again represented Canada in the Winter Olympics in France, scoring four goals in seven games to finish with a bronze medal. Roger was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1999.
Ray Brault
Class of 1985
Ray Brault played most of his Minor and Junior hockey in Edmonton. He coached minor hockey in the Knights of Columbus program, and coached various categories and organized hockey at St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish. He later joined the Board and holding the position of Accountant and Treasurer.
Ray was a key figure within the Knights of Columbus Hockey Association when the St. Mary’s rink was purchased.
Reginald H. Brown
Class of 2007
Reg Brown was the first president of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, starting in November 1907 until 1909. Reg was a local Pharmacist and an avid sports enthusiast.
Ten delegates from clubs around Alberta attended the first AAHA meeting in Red Deer, and appointed Reg as president. The playing rules of the Manitoba Hockey Association were adopted during that first meeting. At the second meeting, districts were created and a constitution drafted. Throughout his time in Red Deer, Reg was an involved member of the community and coached minor hockey.
Bill Bucyk
Class of 2022
Bill Bucyk donned the referee’s stripes for 17 years, starting in the CAHL, before graduating to national and international responsibilities. He worked six seasons in the World Hockey Association as a linesman and referee from 1972-78. As a player, Bill played two seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings (1951-53). He was team captain in his second season and a Western Junior Hockey League all-star. Professionally, Bill signed with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, and spent six seasons in the Western Hockey League before retiring after the 1958-59 season. In 1997, Bill was named a Lifetime Member of the Maple Leaf Athletic Club, where he started his playing career in 1945.
Johnny Bucyk
Class of 2016
Johnny Bucyk was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981, commemorating a professional hockey career that spanned 23 years, starting in 1955 with the Detroit Red Wings, until his retirement with the Boston Bruins in 1978. As a National Hockey League player, Johnny had 10 straight seasons with 20 or more goals, was just the seventh player in NHL history to record both a 50-goal and 100-point season, and he led the Bruins in scoring four times. In addition to having his number 9 retired by the Bruins in 1980, Johnny’s notable accomplishments include two-time Stanley Cup champion with Boston, two-time NHL all-star, two-time Lady Byng Trophy recipient and Lester Patrick Trophy recipient.
Calgary Canucks (1995)
Class of 2025
The Calgary Canucks are part of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Since being formed in 1971, the Canucks have won 10 AJHL championships, and one National Championship. In 1995, the Canucks won the Centennial Cup in a 5-4 overtime win against the Gloucester Rangers.
The Canucks finished the round-robin tournament with a 3-1 record before heading into the semi-finals.
After beating the Thunder Bay Flyers in a 5-3 knockout in the semi-finals, the Canucks took on the Rangers in the fight for the cup.
They earned their spot in the tournament by winning the AJHL playoffs in a 4-3 victory over the Chilliwack Chiefs, allowing them to bring home the Doyle Cup, and clinch a spot in the Centennial Cup tournament.
Their fight for the Doyle Cup was not easy. They beat the Bonnyville Pontiacs 4-1 in the quarterfinals, then they faced the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. The Canucks edged past the Oil Barons in seven games. It was then that they overtook the Chiefs.
Calgary Herald/Edmonton Journal
Class of 2010
In 1910-11, the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal agreed to co-sponsor a trophy for the Alberta Amateur Championship in partnership with the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, which had formed just three years earlier. The trophy was commissioned and the initial winners were Calgary’s St. Mary’s who defeated the Edmonton Deacons.
Shirley Cameron
Class of 2019
Shirley Cameron is one of the most important individuals in the growth and development of women’s hockey in Alberta, dating back to the early 1970s as a player, coach and builder of the sport. She grew up near Bonnyville and played pond hockey with her brothers and friends. Shirley was one of the founders of the Edmonton Chimos, and the team’s leader for more than three decades. She captained the team her entire playing career (1974-92), and served as coach/manager (2001-04) and director of operations (2005-06). Shirley eventually turned her efforts toward growing the game at the provincial level, as an instructor and assistant coach in Hockey Alberta’s high-performance female program from the 1980s to the early 2000s.
Cassie Campbell-Pascall
Class of 2022
Cassie Campbell-Pascall was the captain of Canada’s National Women’s hockey team, taking part in three Winter Olympic Games, seven International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Championships, nine Four Nations Cups and the Torino Ice Tournament. Internationally, she won 21 medals for Canada (17 golds, four silver), including three Olympic medals. Following her retirement in 2006 as a player, Cassie joined Hockey Night in Canada in 2006 as a rinkside reporter and was the first woman to do colour commentary on a broadcast. In addition to her successes in and around the sport, Cassie is highly respected for her work with charitable organizations.
Camrose Lutheran College Vikings (1974-75)
Class of 2009
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.
Russ Carroll
Class of 1982
Russ Carroll played senior hockey with the Vermilion Tigers and was instrumental in keeping senior hockey going in northeast Alberta area through the 1940s.
Later, Russ served as the secretary and president of the Tigers. Russ also served as an official, and often was the only official refereeing games at the senior level, including the 1948-49 Craig Cup which was awarded to the Northeast Senior champions each year.
Ed Chynoweth
Class of 2009
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.
Bob Clark
Class of 2022
Bob Clark was a sport leader in Alberta, growing and improving hockey for athletes and administrators. In 1960, he was elected to the Alberta Legislature and in 1966 was appointed Canada’s first-ever Minister of Youth. He commissioned a study on the state of hockey in Alberta, leading to the development of coaching and refereeing clinics. Bob was a minor hockey coach and administrator in Carstairs; general manager of the Olds Grizzlys, capturing three AJHL championships (1992, 1993, 1994) and the Centennial Cup in 1994; and a Life Member of Hockey Alberta. Bob also served as the AJHL board chair, Hockey Alberta’s Junior A Committee chair, chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation, and Chair of the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee.
Judy Colpitts
Class of 2008
Judy Colpitts involvement in hockey started at a community level with her son’s team, but she soon found her place at the grassroots of women’s hockey and by 1992, she was the female hockey chair for the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association. Judy was an integral part of women’s hockey being added to the Alberta Winter Games in 1994 and her ongoing efforts have been recognized provincially with two Hockey Alberta Development Awards and the President’s Award in 1995. From 1995-98 she sat on the Hockey Alberta board as Director from Calgary Minor Hockey and was the Co-Chair of the 1998 Esso Women’s Nationals held in Calgary.
Murray Copot
Class of 1992
Murray Copot began his involvement in minor hockey in 1950, coaching community hockey at a variety of levels and holding numerous administrative positions. In 1967, Murray joined the Board of the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary, and was President from 1975-77.
From 1978-92, Murray was a member of the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors serving as Director, Vice President and President (1986-88). Murray also was Vice-President of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, received the Canadian Hockey Association Volunteer of the Year Award, and was awarded a Hockey Alberta Life Membership (1992).
Ken Craig
Class of 1991
Ken Craig began his involvement in Minor Hockey as a coach in Calgary. In 1967, Ken became the Registrar of the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary. In 1970, he was elected the Zone 9 Minor Chairperson and served in that position until 1972 when he took over as President of the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary.
Ken remained in the Calgary organization until 1974, at which time he started working as an employee of Hockey Alberta. Ken worked for Hockey Alberta as the Secretary-Manager/Executive Director for 16 years and received the President’s Award in 1990.
Dave Cranston
Class of 2004
Dave Cranston served in several volunteer roles over 20 years. He coached and/or managed at every division in minor hockey and then served as director with the Alberta Junior A champion Fort Saskatchewan Traders.
He also served as general manager of the Traders and League Director, before becoming president of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1986, a position he held for eight years. Dave also served on the Board of Directors for Hockey Alberta as the Junior A Council Chair.
John Davidson
Class of 2022
John Davidson has enjoyed a multi-faceted career – outstanding National Hockey League goaltender, award-winning broadcaster, and respected front office executive. As a player, after winning the MVP in the Western Hockey League, he was drafted fifth in 1973 by the St. Louis Blues, becoming the first goalie to jump directly to the NHL. His 11-year NHL career with St. Louis and the New York Rangers), saw John amass a 3.52 GAA and 123 wins in 301 games. As a broadcaster, John was the lead hockey analyst for four Olympic Winter Games (1992, 1994, 1998, 2002). As an executive, he has been president for three NHL franchises – St. Louis, Columbus, and the Rangers. He has also served as Chair for the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Mel Davidson
Class of 2017
Mel Davidson has been a leader in the development of women’s hockey in Canada and internationally, and was named general manager of national women’s team programs in 2013. She coached the three-time Olympic champion Canadian Women’s national team (2002, 2006, 2010) and was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2011. Her coaching resume includes: four IIHF World Championship gold and two silver medals; silver at the IIHF World Women’s U18 championships (2008); five golds and a silver at the 3 Nations/ 4 Nations Cup; Canada Winter Games coach and mentor with Team Alberta (1991, 1995, 1999); and head coach at Connecticut College and Cornell University.
Billy Dea
Class of 2024
Billy Dea enjoyed a 19-year career as a professional hockey player, highlighted by two distinct but unique career notes.
Billy played almost 400 regular season games in the National Hockey League, but he had a nine-year gap between his stints in NHL. He started with the New York Rangers (1953-54) before being traded to Detroit Red Wings in 1955 and the Chicago Blackhawks in 1958.
He didn’t return to the NHL until 1967, for two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins after being selected in the 16th round of the NHL Expansion Draft. He finished his NHL career with the Red Wings in 1971. In total, Billy tallied 67 goals and 54 assists in 397 regular season NHL games.
It was those nine years in the American Hockey League, all with the Buffalo Bisons, where Billy earned his nickname “Hard Rock” for his punishing style of play, consistency and reliability. Billy made his debut with Buffalo on October 8, 1958, and did not miss a game until February 12, 1966 (eight seasons, 596 straight games, regular season and playoffs).
Billy’s best offensive season was 1960-61 (35 goals, 74 points), and he scored more than 20 goals each season in Buffalo. He was a key part of the team’s Calder Cup championship in 1963. Almost fittingly, he finished his pro career in the AHL, with Tidewater in 1972.
Don Dillon
Class of 2009
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.
Clare Drake
Class of 2006
Clare Drake is referred to by his peers as Canada’s “dean of coaching” due to his impact on the development of players and coaches for more than 40 years at the high school, University, Olympic and professional levels since 1959. Clare coached the University of Alberta Golden Bears to six national titles, coached Canada’s Olympic Team in 1980, and coached the Edmonton Oilers in the World Hockey Association in 1975-76. Clare is also the only Canadian university coach to win a national championship in both football and hockey in the same year – 1967. Clare also was instrumental in the development of the National Coaching Certification Program, and National Coach Mentorship programs.
Howie Draper
Class of 2025
Howie Draper began his coaching career in 1997 coaching for the University of Alberta’s women’s hockey team. Before he became a coach, he himself played for the University of Alberta’s hockey team as a defenceman for five seasons (1985-1990).
During his 26 seasons coaching the University of Alberta hockey team, he obtained the record for the most wins of a head coach in U Sports women’s hockey history with 667 wins. He was also awarded U Sports coach of the year in 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2019, and is also an eight-time Canada West Coach of the Year.
Under his leadership, the University of Alberta women’s hockey team were the U Sports National Tournament champions eight times.
He was also the head coach for World U18 Championships Team Canada for three years (2018, 2019, 2022). In 2022, Team Canada won a gold medal at the tournament.
In 2023, he was named the head coach for the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s New York Sirens. He has since returned to his coaching position at University of Alberta after one season with the Sirens but still remains as a special adviser to the team within the scouting department.
Drumheller Miners (1965-66)
Class of 2008
As the 1966 Allan Cup champions, and considered one of the best senior hockey teams ever, the Drumheller Miners were nothing short of local legends. A fire destroyed their arena just before the 1965-66 season, forcing them to play “home” games in Hanna. Then, after winning the Alberta title, the CAHA moved Drumheller’s remaining “home” games to Calgary. Nevertheless, the Miners filled rinks wherever they played as they generated province-wide support for their Allan Cup quest. The Miners even attracted media prominence as both of Calgary’s daily newspapers assigned writers to cover the team. The following season the Miners represented Canada on a European tour including the Bunny Ahearne Tournament in Sweden.
David Duchak
Class of 2009
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.
Edmonton Chimos (1983-93)
Class of 2023
The Edmonton Chimos Hockey Club was founded in 1973 and was the longest running Senior Women’s AAA hockey program in Alberta and was the first to represent Alberta at an official national championship. The Chimos won the 1984 Senior Women’s Nationals in Spruce Grove beating Quebec in the final. The Chimos would defend their gold medal in 1985 defeating the Toronto Aeros, and those championships marked the start of a decade of excellence where the Chimos showed their dominance but also their leadership in the growth women’s hockey. Provincially, the Chimos captured every Hockey Alberta provincial championship (Senior A, Female AA, Female AAA) from 1983-1993, along with three Abby Hoffman Cup National Women’s championships (1984, 1985, 1992).
Edmonton Chimos (1985)
Class of 2006
The Edmonton Chimos Hockey Club is the longest running Senior Women’s AAA hockey program in Alberta and was the first to represent Alberta at an official national championship. The Chimos won the 1984 Senior Women’s Nationals in Spruce Grove beating Quebec in the final. The 1984 gold medal performance was preceded by silver medals in 1982 and 1983. The Chimos would defend their gold medal in 1985 defeating the Toronto Aeros.
Dawn McGuire went on to represent Alberta on Team Canada at the inaugural IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championships in 1990 and 1992. Shirley Cameron was selected to Team Canada in 1990, and Jane Legace in 1994.
Edmonton Flyers (1947-48)
Class of 2013
The Edmonton Flyers captured the 1947-1948 Allan Cup championship, emblematic of Senior Hockey supremacy in Canada. The team was led by Frank Currie, Gordie Watt, Doug Lane, Jack Manson and Andy Clovechok, as the Flyers drew regular season crowds well into the thousands each night. In the playoffs, the Flyers overcame injury, equipment failure and suspensions to defeat the Trail Smoke Eaters by margins as wide as 10 goals. In the Allan Cup finals, the Flyers took on the Ottawa Senators. Forcing the series to game four, the Flyers trailed 3-0 early, before unleashing a spectacular third period comeback to claim the national title. Nearly half of Edmonton, an estimated 60,000 people, lined city streets for a parade in the Flyers’ honour.
Edmonton Mercurys (1950/1952)
Class of 2007
The Edmonton Mercurys of the 1950s were a powerful team that represented Canada twice at the international level. The Mercurys won the 1950 World Championships in London, England, and then in 1952 represented Canada at the Olympic Games in Oslo, Norway winning the Gold Medal for Canada.
Canada would not win another hockey gold medal at a Winter Olympics until both the Canadian Men’s and Women’s teams accomplished the feat at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City – celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mercurys’ gold medal win.
Edmonton Oil Kings (1962-63)
Class of 2009
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.
Edmonton Oil Kings (1965-66)
Class of 2016
The 1965-66 Edmonton Oil Kings were the first junior team from western Canada to win the Memorial Cup in eastern Canada since 1930, capturing the title in six games over the Oshawa Generals in Maple Leaf Gardens. The Generals’ roster was dotted with recognizable names, including Bobby Orr, Wayne Cashman and Nick Beverly. This was the seventh straight year the Oil Kings had gone to the Memorial Cup. The Oil Kings played in the Central Alberta senior league, as there was no junior league in Alberta. In fact, they tied the Drumheller Miners for the provincial senior championship that year. The Oil Kings advanced to the nationals as the Abbott Cup champs, defeating New Westminster and Estevan in the Western Canada playoffs.
Jack Evans
Class of 2010
Over his 40-year hockey career, Jack Evans influenced many individuals as a player and a coach. He was a professional hockey player for 23 years, 14 of those in the NHL with the New York Rangers (1948-58) and Chicago Blackhawks (1958-61), winning a Stanley Cup championship in 1961 playing alongside Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita. Jack also made appearances in the NHL All-Star games in 1961 and 1962.
Upon retirement as a player, he then began coaching for the WHL and then the NHL. During his time as a coach he received three Coach of the Year awards.
Allan Ferchuk
Class of 2012
Allan Ferchuk played a significant role in the growth and development of hockey at the collegiate level in Alberta. As head coach of the Red Deer College Kings, his teams won the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship three times in four years between 1976-77 and 1979-90. Away from the ice, Allan served as President and Secretary of the Executive Committee of the ACAC; received the Al Bohonus Award for significant contribution to the ACAC; was a key contributor in the formation of the Lethbridge Pronghorns hockey team and its entry into the ACAC; and was a key advocate for women’s hockey in the ACAC, creating the first college women’s program in Western Canada at Red Deer College.
Jim Fleming
Class of 2014
Jim Fleming’s playing career included three Edmonton city championships; three league titles and one national championship with University of Alberta; and nine years of senior hockey, representing Alberta in interprovincial competition three times. Jim coached minor hockey in Vermilion for 17 years and college hockey for two years; ran the Vermilion Hockey School; and taught power skating and wrote a book on power skating. He helped rewrite the Hockey Canada Skills Manual; served as course conductor for Hockey Alberta for more than 30 years; Sledge Hockey coach; chair of Player Development for Hockey Alberta; and was recognized as one of the 100 Builders of Minor Hockey in Alberta.
Cliff Fletcher
Class of 2025
George Clifford Fletcher began his National Hockey League career in 1956 by working as a scout for the Montreal Canadiens. Later, he became a scout for the St. Louis Blues and moved up to holding a general manager position. Under his leadership, the Blues clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals in all their first three years as a team.
In 1972, he moved to a GM position with the Atlanta Flames during their inaugural season. In 1980, the Flames moved to Calgary and along with them went Fletcher. He stayed with the team until 1991. During his time with the Flames, he was the first GM to bring a player into the NHL from the Soviet Union, and the team won the 1989 Stanley Cup Championship under his management.
He went on to work with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1991 as Chief Operating Officer, President and GM. His incredible impact on the team was shown through the Leafs setting both win and point records in the 1992 season.
Theoren (Theo) Fleury
Class of 2019
Theoren (Theo) Fleury played with the Calgary Flames for 11 seasons, from 1988-1998 and was an important part of their Stanley Cup championship in 1989. His NHL career also included stops with the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. Theo represented Canada on several occasions, winning gold medals at the 1988 World Juniors, 1991 Canada Cup, and 2002 Olympic Games. While Theo enjoys his hockey memories, he is honoured in what he does today to contribute to help combat child sexual abuse, and to promote healing, recovery and mental health. Theo has been awarded the Canadian Humanitarian Award, The Queen’s Jubilee Medallion, and he is an Honorary Chief and recipient of the Aboriginal Indspire Award.
James Forsythe
Class of 1998
During his time with Hockey Alberta, Jim Forsythe served as the Zone 6 Minor Chairperson, Minor Council South Vice-Chair and the Zone 6 Director. Jim was one of the first Committee members that developed the Hockey Alberta Jamborees and assisted with Junior B, Senior and Referee Councils.
Jim served on the Crossfield Minor Hockey Association Board for many years and was the News Editor of the Hockey Alberta Newsletter. In 1988, Jim received the prestigious Hockey Alberta President’s Award.
Grant Fuhr
Class of 2018
Grant Fuhr was one of the National Hockey League’s greatest goaltenders, playing on five Stanley Cup champion teams over a 20-year career (1981-2000) and earning induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 in his first year of eligibility.
The Spruce Grove native is best known for his 10 seasons with the Edmonton Oilers (1981-91). Grant was the Oilers’ first-round draft pick (eighth overall) in the 1981 NHL entry draft. He backstopped the Oilers to Stanley Cup titles in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990, appearing in 423 regular season games (228-117-54 record) and 112 playoff games (74-32 record).
His best year was in 1987 where he accumulated a league-leading 4,304 minutes played and 40 wins. He earned the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender and was runner-up to teammate Wayne Gretzky for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player. During the 1983-84 season, Grant collected 14 points, still the single-season record for most points by a goaltender.
Dave Ganley
Class of 2009
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.
Donald Gannon
Class of 1993
Don Gannon spent 20 years in various volunteer and executive roles with Hockey Alberta. From 1968-84, Don was Zone 1 Minor Chairperson. He played a key role in the implementation of the present Provincial Tournament format; assisted with the Minor Hockey program at the 1980 Alberta Winter Games; and represented Hockey Alberta at the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1988.
Don received the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Minor Hockey Plaque and the Hockey Alberta Special Recognition Award.
Don Gatto
Class of 2007
Don Gatto spent over 30 years as a dedicated builder and promoter of hockey in Alberta and across Canada. He served as President of Hockey Alberta (1992-94), and then became chair of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Minor Council (1994-96).
Other roles included: chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation, volunteer coach with the Carstairs Minor Hockey Association, and a member of the Lethbridge Hockey Hounds, an organization of dedicated volunteers who have helped to raise over $1 million for hockey groups in Southern Alberta.
John L. Gibson
Class of 2009
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.
Randy Gregg
Class of 2022
Dr. Randy Gregg spent 10 seasons in the National Hockey League, won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, and represented Canada twice at the Winter Olympics.
At the same time, he also completed most of the studies and training required to become a physician – establishing himself as an Albertan Renaissance man.
Randy was working towards his medical degree at the University of Alberta where he also emerged as one of the top players in Canadian university hockey. He led the Golden Bears to two Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU) championships and was CIAU Player of the Year in 1979. He received a contract offer from the New York Rangers but opted instead to spend the year with Father David Bauer and the Canadian national team. He captained Canada’s entry at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
Following the Olympics, Randy took the unusual step of signing in Japan as a player-coach and spent two full seasons playing there. He finally accepted an NHL offer from the Oilers, joining the team for the 1982 playoffs.
Randy’s career with the Oilers alternated between outstanding play on the ice and completing his education off the ice. On the ice, he was an integral blueline component of five Stanley Cup champions (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990), and was one of seven Oilers to play for all five championship teams.
Glenn Hall
Class of 2008
Glenn Hall is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, as a player with Chicago in 1962 and as a coach with Calgary in 1989.
Glenn’s NHL career started in 1952-53 with the Detroit Red Wings, and continued until 1970-71 with the St. Louis Blues. Glenn started in over 500 consecutive league games, in addition to playoff games, a record that likely will never be broken, accumulated 407 regular season NHL victories, and a lifetime .917 goals against average.
Syd Hall
Class of 1982
Syd Hall’s dedication to hockey began in 1947 as a manager, referee, and administrator, as well as coaching his first midget team to the provincial finals. Syd’s accomplishments included serving on the Board of Directors of the Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association, one of 12 founders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and manager of the AJHL’s Lethbridge Sugar Kings which reached the Memorial Cup finals in 1968-69.
Syd also held many executive positions with the Southern Alberta Hockey and Alberta Amateur Hockey Association. Syd was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Al Hamilton
Class of 2015
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.
William George Hardy
Class of 1989
George Hardy was instrumental in helping to build the first ice rink at the University of Alberta campus in 1927. He served as an executive member of both the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association; assisted in establishing new playoff systems for the Allan Cup and Memorial Cup; served as President of the International Ice Hockey Association; and helped form the International Ice Hockey Federation, which he presided over from 1948-51.
George was a life member of the Alberta and Canadian Amateur Hockey Associations, and was named to the University of Alberta Hall of Fame.
Leo Harrold
Class of 1990
As a Coach, Referee and Administrator, Leo Harrold made a lasting impression on the hockey scene for over 40 years, including 20 years as part of the Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association, 28 years as an Official and as a coach. In 1975, Leo was the Referee-In-Chief for the Canada Winter Games held in Lethbridge and in 1976 the Canadian Old Timers Hockey
Championships.
Leo also served as a Minor Official in the Western Hockey League. Leo was previously honoured by being inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
George H. Harvie
Class of 2012
George Harvie was elected as president of the Edmonton and District Hockey in 1962. He began his involvement at the provincial level when he served as first Vice-President for Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (1966-69), and President (1969-74). In 1973, George helped establish the President’s Award for “exceptional service to hockey in Alberta”.
Under his guidance, the council system was introduced to the AAHA, and his work as a special committee chairman for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association helped with the formation of the council system nationally in 1973. He was inducted into the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame in 1974.
William (Bill) Hay
Class of 2017
Bill Hay had a major impact on the sport of hockey, both on and off the ice. As a player, his career included three seasons at Colorado College, where he was a national champion, and eight years with the Chicago Blackhawks, including a Stanley Cup championship in 1961 and the Calder Trophy in 1959-60. Off the ice, Bill was a key figure with the Hockey Hall of Fame, as a member of the board of directors, Chair and CEO, and an inductee in 2015, joining his father Charles. Bill also helped secure the move of the Atlanta Flames to Calgary, and later became part-owner, president and CEO of the Flames. Bill also was President and COO of Hockey Canada in 1998, and helped spearhead the merging of Hockey Canada with the CAHA.
Anne Hayden
Class of 2010
Anne Hayden volunteered as an active member of the hockey community in Alberta for over 40 years. Starting with her Local Minor Hockey Association in Vauxhall, Anne served as Secretary and Treasurer before becoming Zone 5 Chair for five years.
In 1985, Anne became the South Director of Female Hockey, eventually becoming Female Hockey Chair for Hockey Alberta in 1988-89. In 1992, she helped organize the South-Central AA League in Brooks, also serving as league Secretary, Treasurer and statistician.
Merv Helton
Class of 1986
Merv Helton’s involvement in hockey started in the late 1930s, when he took up refereeing and eventually started coaching career in Three Hills.
From 1967-1972, Merv flooded the ice and performed general maintenance duties at the Three Hills Centennial Arena, in addition to coaching Peewee, Bantam, and Midget teams. From 1974-79, Merv was League Governor of the Highway 2 League.
Merv’s Hockey Alberta involvement included roles as Central Zone Secretary of the Hockey Alberta Referees Committee, and Zone 4 Chair (1983-87).
Dale Henwood
Class of 2007
Dale Henwood was hired to be the Technical Director for the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association in 1982 when the Alberta Government began to fund the development of sport leading into the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Dale’s leadership at the Provincial and National level propelled the AAHA as a leader in Canada in coaching and player development. The Program of Excellence was established, National Coaches Certification Program was implemented, and numerous grassroots programs started to facilitate coach and player development. In 1986, Dale joined Hockey Canada as a coach where he helped Dave King lead Canada’s Olympic Team in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
Gord Hira
Class of 2014
Gord Hira was involved as a volunteer at various levels of hockey for more than three decades. He played minor hockey for the West Hillhurst Community Association in Calgary, and began coaching in Carstairs in 1983. He was a scout for the Olds Grizzlys for six years, winning a Centennial Cup title; Manager of Operations for Zone 6; Hockey Alberta’s Minor Council Chair for five years; member of the Aboriginal Committee for 10 years; Chair of the Hockey Alberta Boundary Project; and chair and co-founder in 2002 of Hockey Alberta’s Pond Hockey Committee. Gord received the Carstairs Minor Hockey Award (1999), the Hockey Alberta Meritorious Award (2002), the President’s Award (2006) and the Fred Denischuk Award (2009).
Ken Hitchcock
Class of 2022
Ken Hitchcock has succeeded at every level of coaching – from Midget AAA in Sherwood Park to Stanley Cup champion to Olympic gold medalist – in a career that has spanned more than four decades. Ken is probably best recognized for his more than 25 years in the National Hockey League, highlighted by the 1998-99 Stanley Cup championship as head coach of the Dallas Stars. In addition to his NHL career, Ken was a key member of Team Canada’s programming for more than a decade. He earned a gold medal at the 1998 World Juniors (assistant coach), three Olympic gold medals (2002, 2010, 2014), and a World Cup of Hockey title in 2004.
Richard Hollen
Class of 1988
Dick Hollen worked tirelessly to raise the profile and provide opportunity for Junior B players in Alberta. Dick began his hockey career in 1970 as a staff member of the Vermilion Tigers Junior B Hockey Club.
In 1975, he became the North Zone Chair of the Central Alberta Junior B Hockey League, and from 1978-87 served as the Hockey Alberta Junior B Council Director. Also, in 1987, Dick served on the Mission Staff for the Canada Winter Games.
Charlie Huddy
Class of 2023
Charlie Huddy is one of only seven Edmonton Oilers who was a member of all five of the franchise’s Stanley Cup winning teams (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990). Charlie also was a member of Team Canada in 1984, winning the Canada Cup. He tallied two assists in seven games. His 17-year NHL playing career included 11 seasons with the Oilers (1980-1991), along with stints in Los Angeles (1991-95), Buffalo (1995-96, 1996-97), and St. Louis (1995-96). During his time with the Oilers, the undrafted stalwart on the blueline became renowned for his plus/minus statistics. Charlie was the NHL’s first recipient of the Plus/Minor Award in 1983 with a +62. Charlie also served as an assistant coach in the NHL for 23 years with the New York Rangers (1998-2000), Oilers (2000-09), Dallas Stars (2009-11), and Winnipeg Jets (2011-22).
George Hughes
Class of 1989
George Hughes served as a player, coach, manager, referee, executive and builder starting in 1938. He was involved as a City of Edmonton Commissioner in building eight new arenas in 1973; and in the development of Northlands Coliseum in 1974 and Northlands Agricom in 1984.
In 1981, George arranged a $140,000 donation by Edmonton Northlands to Hockey Alberta as part of the Canada Cup Series, enabling Hockey Alberta to start a scholarship program, acquire a permanent office, and serve as core funding for a Hockey Foundation. He is a member of the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame and was awarded a Hockey Alberta Life Membership in 1983.
Tim Hunter
Class of 2023
Tim Hunter spent more than four decades as player and coach in the National Hockey League and Western Hockey League, highlighted by winning the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989. He played 11 seasons with the Flames (1981-92), along with stints with the Quebec Nordiques (1992-93), Vancouver Canucks (1992-96) and San Jose Sharks (1996-97). Tim’s 16-year NHL coaching career included stops as an assistant coach in Washington, San Jose, and Toronto, where he helped bring a new focus on smart technology to the sport. Tim also spent six seasons as the head coach of the Western Hockey League’s Moose Jaw Warriors, while also serving in assistant and head coach roles with the WHL and Canada’s World Junior team.
Jarome Iginla
Class of 2024
Jarome Iginla played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League, including 16 with the Calgary Flames and is the all-time leader for the Calgary Flames in games played (1219), goals (525) and points (1095).
He is also a multi-time gold medalist with Team Canada, a two-time Memorial Cup champion, and an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Jarome made his debut with the Flames in the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs, as he was signed to a contract and flown to Calgary immediately after his junior season ended in Kamloops. In his first full NHL season, he was named to the all-rookie team, and was runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year).
Jarome played over 1,500 games for the Calgary Flames (1995-2012), Pittsburgh Penguins (2012-13), Boston Bruins (2013-14), Colorado Avalanche (2014-17), and Los Angeles Kings (2017). He was a six-time NHL all-star, scored 50 goals in a season twice, and is one of only seven players in NHL history to score 30 goals in 11 consecutive seasons.
Earl Ingarfield Sr.
Class of 2023
Earl Ingarfield Sr. played in the National Hockey League for 13 seasons (1958-71), totalling 746 games, 179 goals, 226 assists and 405 points in his career. He became a regular with the New York Rangers in 1960-61, often forming an effective forward unit with Andy Bathgate and Dean Prentice. Earl was the first player selected by the new NHL franchise Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1967 expansion draft before retiring with the California Golden Seals in 1971. After retirement, Earl was a scout and interim head coach with New York Islanders and helped draft the nucleus of players for the future Stanley Cup champions, including Bryan Trottier. Earl’s career concluded with two years at the helm of the Lethbridge Broncos, as coach and assistant general manager (1974-76).
John Jacobs
Class of 2013
John Jacobs is a level four official who started his officiating career in 1967. He served as a Clinic Instructor and Referee in Chief in Stettler, Referee Council Member and Referee Zone Coordinator, and coordinated Development Camps to help groom young referees.
On the ice, John worked several national and international events, including six Viking Cups. John has been recognized with a number of awards, including Hockey Alberta’s Hockey Development Award, the Ernie Boruk Award, and the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation Award.
LeRoy Johnson
Class of 2014
LeRoy Johnson spent more than three decades as an educator at Augustana (Camrose Lutheran College), including building a college hockey program. The Camrose Vikings entered the ACAC and in 1974-75 won the Alberta and Canadian college championships. Leroy founded the Viking Cup International Tournament in 1980, overseeing the tournament for nearly 20 years as part of an exchange with European Hockey Federations. LeRoy was a founding member of the Camrose Sport Development Society that established the Junior A Camrose Kodiaks. Recognition includes: Alberta Achievement Award, CFRN Sports Award of Excellence, Hockey Alberta Centennial Award and the University of Alberta Alumni Recognition Award.
Alex Kaleta
Class of 2008
Canmore’s Alex Kaleta may have been best known for inspiring the now commonly used term “hat-trick”. Kaleta played his rookie year with Chicago in 1941. The story goes that he entered Sammy Taft’s hat shop in Toronto and asked to have a hat set aside. Taft said that he would give Kaleta the hat if he scored three goals that night. Alex succeeded and became the recipient of the first ever “hat trick” in the NHL. Kaleta retired in 1951, after playing for Chicago and the New York Rangers. Settling in Medicine Hat, he coached the Medicine Hat Tigers, was the Recreation Director for the city and then Arena Manager until his retirement in 1984.
George Kallay
Class of 2015
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.
John Kelly
Class of 1991
From 1967 to 1972, John Kelly served on the Minor Hockey Association Board in Lloydminster. In 1973 John was elected Zone 2 Minor Chair, a position he held for seven years. In 1980, John became the Minor Council North Vice-Chair and in 1981, was elected the North East Zone Director, a position he held until 1989.
John also served as the president of the North East Alberta Junior B Hockey League and President of the Lloydminster Blazers Junior A Hockey Club.
Dave King
Class of 2024
Dave King has had a distinguished career as a coach and mentor for over 40 years, developing a reputation as one of hockey’s finest tacticians and teachers of the game.
His legacy is one of selflessness, sharing all the information he gained from his experiences.
Dave has presented at an untold number of coaching conferences across Canada in hopes that he can help kids enjoy this great game by improving the quality of coaching.
Dave also spoke at the Open Ice Summit in 1999, advocating for more time to practice skills compared to playing time. He compared the Canadian system, which prioritized physical size and introduced body contact at a young age, to the European system, which prioritized skill, practiced three times as much as the Canadian model, and did not have body contact in youth hockey.
Dave’s coaching resume is impressive, as he has coached at every level of hockey around the world, including: major junior, Canadian university, Canada’s national team, the National Hockey League, and several European and Russian pro leagues.
Dr. George Kingston
Class of 2016
George Kingston, one of Canada’s best known and most successful coaches, has a resume that includes almost two decades at the University of Calgary, stints with five National Hockey League teams, Canada’s Olympic and national team programs, and international programs in five other countries. At the University of Calgary, George’s Dinos won five Western Canadian university championships. In the NHL, he coached with five teams, and was the expansion San Jose Sharks first head coach. As head coach of Team Canada in 1994, Canada won its first gold medal in 33 years at the IIHF World Hockey Championships. George also worked with four Olympic teams, and won three Spengler Cup gold medals.
Kelly Kisio
Class of 2024
Kelly Kisio played 761 games in the National Hockey League and captained the New York Rangers for more than three years.
Off the ice, he helped turn the Calgary Hitmen into one of the most successful teams in the Western Hockey League, serving as coach and general manager, and leading the team to two WHL championships.
And he now works as a scout with the Vegas Golden Knights, the 2023 Stanley Cup champions.
Ironically, he was not drafted by an NHL team despite impressive offensive statistics in junior. In four years with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Red Deer Rustlers and WHL’s Calgary Wranglers (1978-80), he played in 259 games, scored 252 goals, 250 assists for an amazing 502 points, including consecutive 60 goal seasons for the Wranglers. He was the rookie of the year in 1979. He played the 1982-83 season in Switzerland (49 goals, 32 assists) before joining the Red Wings.
In the NHL, Kelly played for the Detroit Red Wings (1983-86), New York Rangers (1986-91), San Jose Sharks (1991-93), and Calgary Flames (1993-95). His best NHL season was 1992-93 with San Jose (26 goals, 78 points) when he represented the Sharks in the 1993 NHL All-Star Game in Montreal. He finished his NHL career with 229 goals and 658 points in 761 regular season games.
He ended his playing career with Calgary in 1995, joining the Flames’ scouting staff. Then, in 1998 he was named general manager of the Calgary Hitmen. With Kisio as GM, the Hitmen made the playoffs every year but one, won four regular season titles, and won the Western Hockey League title in both 1999 and 2010. He was named WHL Executive of the Year twice (2004 and 2009), and in 2013 was appointed president of hockey operations and alternate governor. In addition to his general manager duties, Kisio spent four seasons in the dual role of general manager and head coach from 2004-08, guiding the Hitmen to 167 regular season victories over that span.
Tony Kollman
Class of 2017
Tony Kollman left a lasting legacy on amateur hockey in Alberta in the 1960s, playing 11 years with the Drumheller Miners (1959-60 to 1970-71). Tony won four Alberta Senior Hockey championships and an Allan Cup title with Drumheller, was named team MVP nine times, led the team in total points eight times, and penalty minutes six times.
Tony got his chance to play at the professional level, joining the Salt Lake Golden Eagles (1970-71), and the Roanoke Valley Rebels (1972-73). After his playing days, he helped introduce Junior A hockey to east-central Alberta, as co-owner of the Drumheller Falcons.
Orest Korbutt
Class of 1988
Orest Korbutt served as the President of Hockey Alberta and Director of the Alberta Sport Council and the Canadian Hockey Association. Orest helped establish the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association National Insurance Program and was a founding member of Sports Central, an organization that provides needy children with used sports equipment. He was instrumental in creating the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, Scholarship Program and Endowment Fund.
Orest has been honoured with Life Memberships from Hockey Alberta and Edmonton Minor Hockey Association, and the CAHA Order of Merit.
Karen Kost
Class of 2023
Karen Kost spent 34 years as a hockey referee, linesperson and leader in training and mentoring on-ice officials across Alberta and Canada. Karen officiated almost every level of hockey nationally and internationally and served as leader and mentor for young officials across the province. She was also the first female official in Canada to earn Level 5 certification. Born in Peterborough, ON, Karen moved to Calgary in 1976, and in 1978 started an officiating career that lasted until 2012. Karen worked four different sets of international events and three sets of national championships, including nine gold medal games. Off the ice, Karen served as Supervisor or Referee in Chief at nine nationals, spent 21 years as an instructor, and volunteered at the Zone and Provincial committee level with Hockey Alberta.
Wally Kozak
Class of 2018
Wally Kozak is known as one of the best technical hockey coaches in the world. A career coach and past Head Scout and manager of Player Development for Team Canada Women’s Team, he has been an instrumental part of developing female hockey in Canada thanks to more than four decades of involvement at all levels of the sport.
The list of accomplishments for the native of Wadena, SK, includes national and international championships as a coach, numerous roles with Hockey Canada’s national team programs, mentor to coaches at various levels in Alberta, and author/co-producer of numerous videos and resource materials for coaches of all levels. He points to his time as player with Canada’s national team (1968-69), under coach Father David Bauer, as instrumental in instilling in him the importance of sport and the Olympics in developing a better society.
Wally is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Level 5 certified coach, course conductor, certified Mentor leader, coach evaluator and Master Coach. From 2002-2010, Wally was integral in establishing the framework for Hockey Canada and the Women’s National Team program.
In 2002, he was named Hockey Canada’s head scout of national women’s team and was responsible for the development and execution of the female scouting plan, player evaluations and player selections for Canada’s National Women’s Team, National Women’s Under-22 Team and National Women’s Under-18 Team, and helping assemble national teams for 19 international events, including 4 Nations Cups, IIHF World Championships, European Air Canada Cups, and pre-Olympic tournaments.
J.J. Kryczka
Class of 1984
Joe Kryczka was a player, coach, referee and administrator, starting as a player in Coleman and with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Joe served as President of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (1967-69), and President of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (1971-73). Joe helped negotiate the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and Soviet Union, and was part of the bid team that obtained the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. Recognitions include: Air Canada Amateur Sports Executive of the Year (1973), CAHA Hall of Fame, and Life Membership in Hockey Alberta (1976). The main rink of Southland Leisure Centre in Calgary was renamed the Justice Joe Kryczka Rink (1990).
Larry Kwong
Class of 2016
Larry Kwong played in only one game – a total of about 90 seconds – in the National Hockey League, with the New York Rangers in 1947-48. But as the first player of Asian descent to play in the NHL, Larry broke the league’s colour barrier 10 years before Willie O’Ree, and became a hero to thousands of Chinese-Canadians. Larry was MVP of the Quebec Senior Hockey League in 1951, and a player/coach and coach with three club teams in Switzerland (1958-64). He played parts of two seasons with the New York Rovers of the Eastern Hockey League and the Quebec Senior Hockey League, before his historic game with the Rangers.
Ike Lawrence
Class of 1985
Throughout the 1950’s and 60’s, Ike Lawrence was President and a team representative for the High Prairie Eagles Senior Hockey Club. Ike was instrumental in the success of the North Peace Hockey League (NPHL) during his term as President of the League in the 1960’s.
In 1984, the Lawrence Cup, awarded to the NPHL regular season champion, was created in his honour. Ike served on the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors for six years and represented senior hockey in the Province.
Terry Ledingham
Class of 2016
Starting in 1967, Terry Ledingham served as a registrar, equipment manager, sports director, and president of a local minor hockey level right up to holding key positions with Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada. Terry’s volunteer work with Hockey Alberta began in 1997, and included: Zone 2 Minor Council, Zone 2 Director, Second Stage Appeal Committee, Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Development, and two years as Hockey Alberta President (2007-09). Terry also was Vice Chair at Large for Hockey Canada (2009-14). Terry received Hockey Alberta’s President’s Award in 2004, and is a life member of the Maple Leaf Athletic Club.
Lethbridge Maple Leafs (1950-51)
Class of 2008
The 1950-1951 Lethbridge Maple Leafs represented Canada at the World Amateur Ice Hockey Championships in Paris, France. The Leafs left Lethbridge December 17, 1950 to tour Europe for three months.
At one point the team had a 44-game winning streak, before winning the world title March 17, 1951. Although crowned World Amateur Champions they were not done, stopping off in England on their trip home to capture the Winston Churchill Trophy beating teams from England and the United States.
Lethbridge Native Sons (1975)
Class of 2022
The 1974-75 Lethbridge Native Sons had a dream season, winning the Canada Winter Games gold medal and the provincial Junior B championship. Overall the team, comprised entirely of players from the Lethbridge area, accumulated a record of 66 wins, six losses and one tie. They claimed their Canada Winter Games gold in a 6-3 battle on home ice against Nova Scotia and their provincial title after a seven-game marathon against Vermilion. But this team was not just a hockey team; the players were positive role models for southern Alberta and beyond during the 1975 season. In 1987, the team was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame.
Lethbridge Pronghorns Men’s Hockey Team (University of, 1994)
Class of 2012
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Men’s Hockey team had been around for nine seasons when the 1993-94 campaign began, and team had never managed a winning record. By the end of this special season, the Pronghorns were crowned Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) National Champions, with an overall record of 34-11-3. Coached by Mike Babcock, the team finished first in the Canada West Conference, had the best home and away records, scored the most goals that season, and held the best special team statistics in the conference. The Pronghorns were inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and the University of Lethbridge Hall of Fame in 2000.
Kevin Lowe
Class of 2019
Kevin Lowe is a pillar of the Edmonton community and one of the key leaders who built the Edmonton Oilers into a Stanley Cup dynasty team. As a defenceman, Kevin was a solid positional player in his own zone, a team leader and an astute playmaker on offence. His leadership on and off the ice was a major component of Stanley Cup championships in both Edmonton and New York. The Lachute, Quebec native was the Oilers first-ever draft pick when he was selected 21st overall in the 1979 NHL Amateur Draft. In 1990-91, he became the sixth captain in Oilers history. Today Kevin serves as Vice Chair of Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) playing an integral role in OEG’s community and business operations.
Duncan MacDougall
Class of 2019
Duncan MacDougall has played a tremendous role in the development of on-ice officials over more than four decades of involvement in hockey in Alberta. Whether a new official starting out in the officiating program, or a senior official preparing for provincial, national, international or professional work, Duncan has helped many of them with their advancements in
officiating. Duncan started as an on-ice official when he attended his first clinic in 1974-75. In 1990, North Zone Referees Committee named an award after Duncan. The award is presented to “anyone who does outstanding service and commitment to the North Zone Referees’ Committee and is the least recognized.”
William (Doug) McKenzie
Class of 1989
Doug McKenzie was named a Hockey Alberta Life Member in 1992 in recognition of his contributions to hockey. He played minor and junior hockey with Edmonton’s Canadian Athletic Club. After years of administrative involvement with the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association he became involved with Hockey Alberta as Minor Council North Vice Chair (1971-74), Vice President and President (1975-80). In 1981, Doug became the Senior Hockey Chair for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. He received Hockey Alberta’s President’s Award in 1981), and the McKenzie Cup, awarded to the Alberta-British Columbia Senior AAA champion, is named in his honour.
Ron MacLean
Class of 2018
Ron MacLean has interviewed the greatest players, coaches and personalities, and his extensive knowledge and passion for the game of hockey, combined with three decades of hosting Hockey Night in Canada, has made him one of the country’s most famous and beloved broadcasters.
Currently the host of Hockey Night in Canada and Rogers Hometown Hockey, Ron began his broadcasting career in 1978 at CKRD Radio in Red Deer, and in 1984 became host of the Calgary Flames television broadcasts on CFAC in Calgary. He became the sports anchor on the local evening news before joining CBC in 1986 as host of the Toronto Maple Leaf broadcasts on Hockey Night in Canada.
In 1987, Ron became national host of Hockey Night in Canada, which included hosting the legendary Coach’s Corner with Don Cherry. Beginning with the 2014–15 NHL season, Ron was hired by Rogers Media when the company acquired the national rights to the NHL.
During his career with CBC, Ron hosted 11 Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, IAAF World Championships, World Cup Hockey, the Calgary Stampede and Queen’s Plate. Throughout his career, he has interviewed Canada’s top athletes – including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Catriona Le May Doan, Jamie Sale and David Pelletier – bringing the peaks of emotions and championships to living rooms across the country.
Carla MacLeod
Class of 2025
Carla MacLeod began her hockey career playing for the Midnapore Minor Hockey Association in Calgary, before starting her professional career playing for the Calgary Oval X-Treme for the 1999-00 season.
Her time with the Oval X-Treme was scattered throughout her time playing for the University of Wisconsin Badgers and playing in many tournaments for Team Canada.
She began playing with the Badgers in 2001, staying with the team until 2005. She served as the team captain for two seasons (2003-04, 2004-05). In her senior year, she also served as an undergraduate assistant coach.
MacLeod won the Big Ten Medal of Honour, which is in recognition of both athletic and academic achievement, in 2005. She was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.
Her time with Hockey Canada began in 2003, when she played in the Four Nations Cup, where she brought home a silver medal. She went back to this same tournament the next year, but this time took gold.
She played in the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Hockey Championships four times. With her help, Team Canada won a silver medal in 2005, 2008 and 2009, and won a gold medal in 2007.
Malcolm (Mac) Macleod
Class of 2006
Mac MacLeod has been involved in hockey for over 60 years as a player, coach, volunteer, bus driver and anything else required to assist to make the game possible for local youth.
In 1990, Mac started as a volunteer with Hockey Alberta, including positions as Zone 2 Minor Hockey Chair (1990-94), Zone 2 Director (1994-98), and Hockey Alberta President for two years and Past President for two years. Mac has received the Hockey Alberta President’s Award (1998), the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medallion (2003), and a Hockey Alberta Life Membership (2003).
Jamie Macoun
Class of 2022
Jamie Macoun played more than 1,300 regular season and playoff games in the NHL during a 17-year career with the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. He won two Stanley Cups (Calgary 1989, and Detroit 1998), represented Canada and earned two silver medals at the IIHF World Championships in 1985 and 1991, and was part of one of the largest trades in NHL history; a 10-player deal that sent him to Toronto in 1992. Jamie was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1983-84, and had a career high 40-point season in 1986-87. He finished his career with 76 goals and 282 assists in 1,128 regular season games, adding 42 points in 159 playoff games.
Craig MacTavish
Class of 2024
Craig MacTavish was a four-time Stanley Cup champion during his 17-year playing career in the National Hockey League, but he still may be best known as the last NHL player not to wear a helmet during games.
In addition to his almost two decades as a player, Craig also served as an executive, coach and assistant coach in the NHL, coached Team Canada internationally, and coached internationally in Russia and Switzerland.
As a player, Craig was a draft pick of the Boston Bruins (1978 Entry Draft, 9th round, 153 overall) after two years in the NCAA at University of Massachusetts Lowell. During his first three pro seasons, he split time with the Bruins and Binghampton, Springfield and Erie in the American Hockey League. He earned a full-time spot on the Bruins roster in the 1982-83 season, where he played for two seasons.
David Manning
Class of 2011
David Manning coached in Red Deer from 1974-85, leading the Red Deer Major Midget team to five Alberta Major Midget Championship titles and the inaugural Mac’s tournament in Calgary (1978-79). David served as a director on the Board of the Red Deer Athletic Association for 10 years, including as President for four years. He provided legal counsel to Hockey Alberta for 25 years, and the Alberta Junior Hockey League for 10 years.
In 1992, he received the Red Deer Sportsman of the Year Award, and was a member of the World Junior Championship Host Committee that brought the tournament to Red Deer in 1995.
Ray Marsh
Class of 2005
Ray Marsh’s involvement in the game spanned more than 45 years. He started as the secretary treasurer of the Red Deer Rustlers, helped the Alberta Junior Hockey league in a similar capacity, and was involved with several Senior and Junior leagues.
Ray was the first elected Junior A Council Chair for the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, served as Chair of the Intermediate and Senior Councils during the 1970s and 1980s, and as the President of the Chinook Senior Hockey League from 1979-2005.
James McAdie
Class of 1986
Jim McAdie served in numerous administrative roles starting in 1937 when he helped form the Canadian Athletic Club. Jim was a director with the
Edmonton District Hockey Association, helping form the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association. He was also one of the main forces behind the emergence of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and served as President in 1952.
Jim received many awards for his endeavors, including the CAHA plaque for Minor Hockey, the AAHA Presidents Award, a Life Membership of the C.A.C., and an induction into the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame.
George McCorry
Class of 2008
George McCorry was involved in officiating for more than four decades, dating back to 1966. He held numerous leadership positions within the Hockey Alberta Referee’s Council, instructed at Hockey Alberta Development Camps, and developed the NRCP Level 4-6 exams.
On the ice, George worked competitive hockey in Alberta and internationally, including representing Canada at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Recognition includes the Alberta Sport Council Award and a Life Member of the Hockey Alberta Referee’s Council.
Lanny McDonald
Class of 2015
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.
Medicine Hat Tigers (1986-87, 1987-88)
Class of 2019
The 1986-87 and 1987-88 Medicine Hat Tigers are the only Alberta teams to win back-to-back Memorial Cups, as the Canadian major junior hockey champions, and one of only eight teams in the Cup’s 100-year history to win back-to-back titles.
1986-87 Medicine Hat Tigers
Front: Mark Fitzpatrick, Dr. R. I. MacKenzie (Physician), Guy Phillips, Bryan Maxwell (Coach), Dale Kushner, George Maser (Owner), Russ Farwell (General manager), Ron Bonora, Dr. J. A. Cranson (Team Physician), Kelly Hitchins
Middle: Terry Hudec (Assistant Trainer), Doug Ball (Head Trainer), Mark Pederson, Jeff Wenaas, Neil Brady, Mike MacWilliam, Trevor Linden, Jamie Huscroft, Dean Chynoweth, Rod Williams, Daryl Henry (Public Relations)
Back: Rocky Dundas, Wayne Hynes, Kevin Knopp, Wayne McBean, Scott McCrady, Keith Van Rooyen, Mark Kuntz, Kirby Lindal, Rob DiMaio
1987-1988 Medicine Hat Tigers
Front: Mark Fitzpatrick, Dr. R. I. MacKenzie (Physician), Mark Pederson, Barry Melrose (Head Coach), Russ Farwell (General manager), Dean Chynoweth, George Maser (Owner), Rob DiMaio, Scott McCrady, Dr. J. A. Cranston (Physician), John Colville Middle: Jeff Chynoweth (Public Relations), Darren Taylor, Wayne McBean, Neil Brady, Mike Barlage,
Jason Prosofsky, Dan Kordic, Trevor Linden, Neil Wilkinson, Ryan McGill, Jason Miller, Daryl Henry (Public Relations Director) Back: Terry Hudec (Assistant Trainer), Vince Boe, Wayne Hynes, Murray Garbutt, Clayton Gainer, Dwayne Brook, Cal Zankowski, Mark Woolf, Kirby Lindal, Doug Ball (Trainer)
Jarvis Miller
Class of 1982
From 1964-70, Jarvis Miller served as volunteer Registrar-Treasurer for the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association before becoming the inaugural full-time staff person in the position (1970-74), a title that was later changed to Secretary Manager.
Jarvis was the starting author of the Hockey Alberta History, a document that details the major historical activities of the AAHA.
Gordon Mills
Class of 1987
Gord Mills was an active minor hockey volunteer involved in the Wainwright area. He was the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association director for the Northeast Zone for nine years, and long-time manager of the Wainwright Commandos Senior team.
While serving on the AAHA board, Gord also was the sportswriter for the Wainwright paper and designed and published the initial version of the AAHA Newsletter.
Bill Moores
Class of 2014
Bill Moores has played and coached around the world in a career that spanned more than four decades. His playing career included the Edmonton Oil Kings in the late 1960s and the Alberta Golden Bears in the early 1970s, returning to the Golden Bears as assistant coach and head coach for 12 years. He spent a season as Coach-General Manager of the Regina Pats, and was assistant coach for the Japanese National Team in 2000 at the IIHF World Championship before starting his National Hockey League career in 1996 with the New York Rangers. From 2000-09, he was an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers, before joining the Canadian National Team at the 2010 Worlds. He returned to the Oilers in 2013, as Director of Coaching Development and Special Projects.
NAIT Ooks Men’s Hockey Team (1984-85)
Class of 2012
The 1984-85 NAIT Ooks achieved the perfect season, going undefeated in regular and post-season play, winning the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) crowns. The Ooks also traveled to Switzerland that season, capturing the Altjahres Cup after defeating the 1984-85 Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) champions, the York Yeomen. The team rewrote the ACAC record book: most goals (222), most assists (343), most points (565), most wins (25) and fewest losses, all of which still stand today. NAIT would only lose twice that season, to the University of Alberta Golden Bears. The team was the first team inducted to the NAIT Athletics Wall of Fame in 2007.
Joe Nieuwendyk
Class of 2025
Joseph Nieuwendyk is one of only 11 National Hockey League players to win the Stanley Cup with three different teams.
He drafted in the second round of the1985 NHL Entry Draft, 27th overall by the Calgary Flames where he spent the first nine (1986-1995) of his 20 season (1986-2007) NHL career.
He made his NHL debut with the Flames in 1987, playing in nine regular season games and six playoff games. He played his first full season in 1987-88, leading the team in goals with 51. Nieuwendyk won the Calder Memorial Trophy after this season.
He scored 10 goals and made four assists in the 1989 Stanley Cup playoffs, helping the team to win the Stanley Cup Championship. In 1991 he was named the captain of the Flames.
He was traded to the Dallas Stars in 1995, where he stayed for seven seasons. Nieuwendyk scored 11 goals and put up 10 assists in the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs, assisting the Stars to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, and the second of his career.
Loretta Normandeau
Class of 2011
Loretta Normandeau contributed over 20 years of service to female hockey and athlete development. She was on Hockey Alberta’s Female Council for 16 years (1984-2000); an instructor for Hockey Alberta development programs; involved with the Alberta Winter Games; Team Alberta’s assistant coach at the 1991 Canada Winter Games (gold medal); and Director of Operations for the 1999 Canada Winter Games team (bronze medal). She continued as a coach mentor with the U18 program, and put in countless hours with the U18 regional and provincial camps. Loretta also held positions with the Western Women’s Hockey League, National Women’s League, Edmonton Chimos, and Edmonton Capitals.
Northlands
Class of 2011
Northlands has left a lasting mark on hockey history in Alberta. They were responsible for the first large spectator indoor rink in Edmonton in 1913, the 5,200 seat Gardens which hosted the Flyers, Eskimos, Dominions, Oil Kings and the World Hockey Association Oilers.
Northlands Coliseum opened in 1974, hosting Canada Cup Games in 1981 and donating the net proceeds to Hockey Alberta which helped form the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s scholarship program. Northlands was the title sponsor and host for the Alberta Cup’s first three years, starting in 1986. Northlands also housed the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame from 1982-92.
Olds Grizzlys (1994)
Class of 2014
The Olds Grizzlys were guaranteed a spot in the 1994 Centennial Cup as the hosts, but they qualified as more than just the hosts. The Grizzlys cruised to a first-place finish in the regular season (50-4-2), and then rolled through the playoffs to win their third-straight AJHL title. Olds then defeated Kelowna (4-2) to win the Doyle Cup and advance to the Centennial Cup. The Grizzlys swept through round-robin play, outscoring their opponents 31-6, but needed three straight goals to beat Weyburn 4-3 in the semi-finals to advance against the defending champions from Kelowna. Olds scored late in regulation time to send the final to overtime before Dave Kirkpatrick scored the Centennial Cup winning goal.
Robert (Bobby O) Olynyk
Class of 2023
Robert Olynyk, or Bobby ‘O’ as he is known in hockey circles, has been a familiar face in Alberta’s hockey world since he started volunteering in rinks in 1966. Bobby has done it all over his more than half century of involvement – including cleaning the ice surface, working as a trainer for junior teams, doing stats for the Oilers and Oil Kings and coaching at various levels. He is best known for his leadership with the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League. Beginning in 1987 he alternated between president and vice-president of the league until 2020, when the league became the U18AAA Division of the Alberta Elite Hockey League and Bobby ‘O’ was named the division’s inaugural governor.
Roger Otteson
Class of 2007
Roger Otteson began his career as a volunteer coach and leader in the Edmonton community of Ottwell and later the Southside Athletic Club. He was one of the founders of Sport Central, an equipment supplier for disadvantaged kids, and a key driver behind the successful bid to host the 1995 World Junior Hockey Championship in Red Deer.
Roger also was a founding director of the Hockey Alberta Foundation, established in 2001 to assist in the funding of scholarships and leadership development for young future leaders within Hockey Alberta. Roger served as Hockey Alberta’s Chief Financial Officer from 1986-96.
Ron Panchyshyn
Class of 2004
Ron Panchyshyn began officiating at an early age and eventually attained his NRCP Level 6 status, officiating international, national and provincial games of all levels, along with supervising young officials.
Ron also served as a member of the North Zone Referee Committee for 32 years, Chair of the North Zone Referee committee, referee in chief for Alberta, and on the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association Board of Directors for four years. In 1997, Ron became the first referee in chief for the Inline Hockey in Alberta and helped develop the Canadian Hockey Association’s National inline hockey rule book.
Vernon Paul
Class of 1994
Vern Paul was involved in amateur hockey as both a coach and administrator. Administrative positions included: Hockey Director for Edmonton and board member of the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association (1973); Vice-Chair for the Federation Hockey Committee (1974), and Chair (1976).
Vern served as the Hockey Alberta Minor Council Chair (1979-86), Vice President (1986), and President (1988-92). Some of Vern’s awards include the Hockey Alberta President’s Award, the Canadian Hockey Association Order of Merit, and Life Memberships with both the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association and Hockey Alberta.
Perry Pearn
Class of 2017
Perry Pearn coached in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), Switzerland, Western Hockey League, National Hockey League, and Canadian National Team program. In 14 years with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (1978-93), he won six national championships, seven ACAC coach of the year awards and six ACAC championships. With the Canadian National program, Perry won three World Junior gold medals (1990, 1991, 1993) and bronze at the 1992 Spengler Cup. From 1995-2017, he served as an assistant coach with five different NHL teams. Other recognition includes: Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame (1995), NAIT Athletics Wall of Fame (2002), and a Hockey Alberta Centennial Award (2007).
Stu Peppard
Class of 1983
In 1955, Stu Peppard founded the Calgary Junior Hockey League and served as President until 1984. He also was involved in coaching numerous midget and juvenile teams, and was an active referee. From 1964-67, Stu was president of Hockey Alberta and became a Life Member in 1978. Stu was also an executive member of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association.
Recognition includes: Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the Year (1964); Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (1974); and Meritorious Award by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (1975). The Glenmore Arena in Calgary was renamed the Stu Peppard Arena in his honour.
Ross Perkins
Class of 2012
As a player, Ross Perkins won a Memorial Cup with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 1966, and in 1972, he was voted Central Hockey League Player of the Year. From 1982-86, Ross was GM of the Wainwright Junior B team, coached Team Alberta at the 1983 Canada Winter Games, and coached the Wainwright Midget B team to the Provincial finals in 1984 and 1985.
He was named Alberta Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year in 1986-87 with the Sherwood Park Crusaders, and in 2005 was named to the Central Alberta Junior B Hockey League Wall of Honour.
Don Phelps
Class of 2013
Don Phelps dedicated more than four decades of his life towards hockey including 24 years as coach of the Calgary Canucks Junior team, where he totaled 775 victories.
Don helped initiate a Midget AAA League, coached a club to the Air Canada Cup in its inaugural season, was named Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the year, and won 11 Alberta Junior Hockey League championships.
He was also a successful player, winning two Alberta championships with the Drumheller Miners.
Rick Polutnik
Class of 2013
Rick Polutnik’s resume includes five Provincial Championship gold medals, two World Championship silver medals, and two World Championship gold medals. He was a founding member of Hockey Canada’s National Coach Mentorship program, and served as Coach Mentor/ Ambassador to Slovakia as a part of an IIHF program. Rick has coached at every level of the game including minor, college, and National Women and Junior Women’s teams.
Rick also spent nearly 20 years as a volunteer and staff member of Hockey Alberta. In 2013, he received Hockey Canada’s Gordon Juckes Award for contribution to the development of amateur hockey.
Wally Popik
Class of 2012
Wally Popik was involved in various sports for over 50 years as a coach, official and an executive, including: coach and referee at various levels (1963-74), Central Zone Referee Chair (1979-82), clinic instructor, Juvenile League Governor, Senior Council Chair, Hockey Alberta Board Member for nine years, Hockey Alberta’s Referee in Chief (1990-96, 2005-10), and Past-Chair on the Referee Council. Wally was Supervisor for the 1995 IIHF World Junior Championships and served as RIC for the 2000 Royal Bank Cup. Other recognition includes: Hockey Alberta Centennial Award (2007), Life Member of Hockey Alberta Referee Council (2002), Hockey Alberta Development Award (2001) and the Hockey Alberta President’s Award (1993).
Art Potter
Class of 1982
Art Potter’s involvement in amateur hockey in Alberta spanned five decades. As an 18-year-old in 1927, Art started as a coach of various teams in Edmonton, and became President of the Edmonton and District Hockey Association. From 1943-1959, Art was an executive member of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, before working with the Canadian Hockey Association, including serving as President, 1962-64. During his tenure as CAHA President, the Canadian National Team was formed and he managed the 1964 Olympic team in Innsbruck. Art is a Life Member of the CAHA, and has been inducted into the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Red Deer College Kings (1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80)
Class of 2011
The Red Deer College Kings lived up their nickname, as the “kings” of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association. RDC captured three gold medals during a run of four consecutive appearances at the CCAA national championships.
The Kings were the first team in the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference (ACAC) to finish first in the regular season for five consecutive seasons. They also won three Four West and three ACAC titles, and were the first team to win back to back national titles. In regular season and post season action over the three championship years, the Kings record was 78-15-2 for a winning percentage of 0.830.
Red Deer Rebels (2000-01)
Class of 2024
Jeff Smith was the hero, scoring through a maze of legs at 13:16 of overtime, as the Red Deer Rebels won the 2001 Memorial Cup over Val-d’Or, capping a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the Regina Agridome.
The goal was originally credited to Doug Lynch, but officials later changed the goal to Smith.
The Western Hockey League champs took advantage of seven power plays, scoring four times with the man-advantage to overcome a two-goal deficit and deny the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League its fourth championship in six years. Red Deer had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, before giving up five straight goals in the second.
Kyle Wanvig scored two goals, including the game-tying goal with 31 seconds left in the third period and Ross Lupaschuk had four points (including a goal) in the final. Derek Meech and Joel Stepp added the other goals Shane Bendera stopped 33 of 38 shots in net.
Red Deer finished first in the round-robin standings, with wins over Val d’Or (5-4 in overtime) and Ottawa 67’s (4-2), and a 5-2 loss to host Regina Pats. Red Deer advanced straight to the final, thanks to the win over the Foreurs. Wanvig was named tournament MVP, and an all-star along with Lupaschuk.
Red Deer Rustlers (1970-71)
Class of 2010
The 1970-71 Red Deer Rustlers capped off an extremely successful season by winning the inaugural Canadian Junior A Championship and Manitoba Centennial Cup, 4-2, over the Charlottetown Islanders in Prince Edward Island.
Along the way, Red Deer won the Alberta Junior Hockey League title, defeated the Penticton Broncos (4-3) to win the Doyle Cup and St. Boniface Saints (4-0) to captured the Abbott Cup. The Rustlers were also named Red Deer’s Team of the Year for 1971.
Red Deer Rustlers (1979-80)
Class of 2015
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.
Walter (Bud) Reynolds
Class of 1986
Born in Calgary, Walter (Bud) Reynolds played junior and senior hockey in the Big 6 League through his teens and early adulthood. Bud was an instrumental figure in amateur sport in Calgary up until his early fifties when work took him to Saskatoon and then back to the Edmonton area.
Bud was a director with the Sherwood Park Minor Hockey Association and later actively involved in Junior B hockey and the Capital Junior Hockey League. Bud was the key organizer in developing the Canada Winter Games program.
Bob Ridley
Class of 2019
As sports director for CHAT TV & Radio, Bob Ridley has spent 50 years covering and promoting amateur sports in Medicine Hat and surrounding area. Bob has been an integral part of the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers since the team’s inception in 1970. Since day one, Bob has been the play-by-play voice for the Tigers, only missing one broadcast in over 3,900 games. Then, in 1972, the team bought a bus and he did double duty – also serving as the team’s bus driver. March 7, 2012 marked Bob’s 3,000th regular season game behind the microphone as the voice of the Tigers. In 2015, the press box at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat was named the ‘Bob Ridley Broadcast Centre’.
Mike Rogers
Class of 2016
Mike Rogers had a 12-year professional hockey career in the World Hockey Association (Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers), and the National Hockey League (Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers), and followed that with another two decades as a well-respected pre- and post-game and colour commentator with the Calgary Flames. Over the course of his first three seasons in the NHL, Mike tallied more than 100 points each season – a feat accomplished only by Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Peter Stastny. In 1974, Mike was selected twice in amateur drafts – NHL’s fifth round by Vancouver, and WHA’s second round by Edmonton. In 1980-81, he was the captain of the NHL’s Whalers.
SAIT Trojans (1980-81)
Class of 2013
The 1980-81 SAIT Trojans made the most of their first-ever trip to the Canadian championships, going unbeaten to win the CCAA national crown. The Trojans defeated Cape Breton Capers in the final, after eliminating Ontario’s Conestoga College in the semi-finals. Ron Pierce was named tournament MVP, and was an all-star along with teammates Steve Hanna and Dennis Connelly.
The team was coached by Bob Moore and amassed a regular season win percentage of .875, a record that stood for 20 years. In post season play,
Glen Sather
Class of 2017
Glen Sather has had one of the most successful careers as a head coach, general manager and president in the National Hockey League. Glen served as Head Coach, General Manager and President with the Edmonton Oilers, winning five Stanley Cups. His international resume is impressive: 1984, 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup championships; 1994 IIHF World Championship; 1996 World Cup; 1987 Rendezvous Series with Soviet all-stars; and Team Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics. Starting in 2000 with the New York Rangers, Glen served as President, General Manager, and Head Coach. To date, Glen has been enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, and the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame.
Jack Setters
Class of 1987
Jack Setters was involved in all aspects of the game, including as a player (goaltender for the University of Alberta Golden Bears in the early 1940s; referee (1952-65); and coach in the Glenmore Community of Calgary. He was also the house league director and sports director within the Glanmorgan Sports Association, 2nd Vice President of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (1969-70), and an Executive of the Calgary Community Recreation Association from 1960-71.
Jack helped form the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary, and was President from 1971-75. In 1972, Jack was named Calgary Sportsman of the Year.
Ryan Smyth
Class of 2025
Ryan Smyth spent his final season in the National Hockey League playing for the Edmonton Oilers, tied with Glenn Anderson for the most power-play goals in franchise history with 126 goals. It was only recently in 2023 that this record was passed by Leon Draisaitl.
He was drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
Smyth played 19 seasons in the NHL, spending his first 12 (1995-2007) and last three seasons (2011-2014) with the Oilers. He spent time in the middle playing with the New York Islanders for 18 games (2006-07), the Colorado Avalanche for two seasons (2007-08, 2008-09) and the Los Angeles Kings for two seasons (2009-10, 2010-11).
During his first stint with the Oilers, he assisted in the team’s climb to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, which they unfortunately lost in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes. In his 2002-03 season with the team, he garnered 27 goals and 61 points, which meant he was leading the Oilers in scoring for the first time in his career.
Smyth made his international hockey debut playing for Team Canada at the 1995 World Junior Championships, which was held in Red Deer. Team Canada was undefeated for the entire tournament, winning the gold medal.
Frank Solowan
Class of 1983
Frank Solowan refereed the game of hockey in the Edmonton area for over 20 years, officiating up to Intermediate A, including numerous Provincial and Inter-Provincial competitions. Frank was one of the original founders of the Edmonton and District Referees Association.
In 1972, Frank was elected as the Provincial Chairman of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association Referees Committee and held the position until 1978. Frank was also a member of the AAHA Board of Directors.
Stony Plain Eagles (1999)
Class of 2007
After 14 straight Alberta Senior AAA crowns, the Stony Plain Eagles finally took the final step, capturing the 1999 Allan Cup as Canada’s Senior hockey champions.
In winning the title, the Eagles became only the fourth Alberta champion, and the first since the Drumheller Minors won in 1966. The Eagles had been the premier Senior AAA hockey in Alberta since they moved to that level in 1991-92, and were Allan Cup runners-up in 1992 and 1995. Prior to that, the Eagles played at the AA level, winning the Patton Cup in 1987.
Sutter Family
Class of 2017
Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Gary, Rich, Ron, Grace and Louis. They are, simply, the best known, most recognizable and most famous hockey family in the world – the Sutter Family.
Of the seven brothers, six played in the National Hockey League. Four became coaches and/or general managers. They all got their start in minor hockey in Viking, and continued to play junior hockey in Red Deer. Their NHL statistics together are amazing playing in 4,994 regular season games with 1,320 goals, 603 playoff games with 122 goals and overall 81 NHL player seasons, six Stanley Cups as players and at the time of induction two as a head coach.
Cec Swanson
Class of 1990
Cec Swanson was involved in hockey as a coach and administrator. During his coaching career, he led the Peace River Stampeders to one Midget B and four Intermediate B provincial championships. He was Commissioner of the North Peace Hockey League and was named the Peace River Sportsman of the Year.
In 1971, Cec became the Manager of the Red Deer Rustlers Junior A Hockey Club that went on to win two provincial championships and one Western Canadian Championship. Cec served as the Alberta Junior Hockey League Director and then President (1980-85).
Shannon Szabados
Class of 2024
The best words to sum up the career of Shannon Szabados are first and only!
First female to play in the Calgary Macs AAA midget hockey tournament, suiting up in net for the Edmonton Maple Leaf Athletic Club in 2001.
First female to play in the Western Hockey League where Shannon played four exhibition games for the Tri-City Americans including splitting a game with Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price.
First female recipient of the Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey League Trophy as the AJHL’s Top Goaltender after the 2006-07 season. During her five-year AJHL career (2002-07), she played with the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Bonnyville Pontiacs and Fort Saskatchewan Traders.
First female to sign and play in the Southern Professional Hockey League in the 2013-14 season with the Columbus Cottonmouths. She played three seasons with Columbus (2013-16), and also played with the Peoria Rivermen (2016-17)
First female goaltender to win an SPHL game when the Cottonmouths defeated the Fayetteville FireAntz 5-4 in overtime in November 2014. Shannon had 34 saves.
First and only female to record a shutout in men’s professional hockey in North America, December 2015, in a 33-save, 3–0 win for the Cottonmouths over the Huntsville Havoc.
Only netminder in women’s hockey history to backstop her nation to two gold medals at the Winter Olympics, and the Canadian goaltender with the most Olympic gold medal games played in Canadian National Team history. Shannon led Team Canada to the podium in 2010 (Vancouver) and 2014 (Sochi), earned the silver medal in 2018 (Pyeongchang), and was named the top goaltender for the 2010 and 2018 Games.
Internationally, Shannon was named the IIHF’s Goaltender of the Decade (2010-2020).
Team Alberta Female (1991)
Class of 2018
The 1991 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, PEI marked the first year for female hockey in the Canada Winter Games, and it was a record-setting performance for the players who were selected for the inaugural Team Alberta Female Hockey squad.
First and foremost, the team won the gold medal, defeating British Columbia, 2-1, in the championship final. Twelve-year-old Hayley Wickenheiser, an underage player on the team, scored the tournament winning goal in the third period, providing a glimpse of what was to come during her impressive career with Canada’s National Women’s team that included five Olympic medals and 12 World Championship medals. As well, one of the team’s coaches was Shannon Miller, who went on to an impressive coaching career with Team Canada and in the NCAA. An unofficial member of the team, but a very important one, was multiple Olympic Champion Coach Mel Davidson, who was the team’s advance scout.
In winning the first-ever Female Hockey gold medal, Team Alberta overcame some adversity. The team finished second in its pool with a 3-1 record, that included wins over Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. The loss was a 5-0 decision to Quebec. That set up a semi-final against the pre-tournament favourite Ontario. But Team Alberta played a focussed game, hanging on for a 4-3 victory and a berth in the final.
Team Alberta Male (1999)
Class of 2018
The 1999 Canada Winter Games marked a significant year for Newfoundland and Labrador. Not only was the province celebrating its 50th anniversary of Confederation with Canada, but it was also the first time the province had ever hosted a Canada Winter Games.
For the members of the Team Alberta Male Hockey squad, they helped the host province celebrate by going undefeated to win Alberta’s third gold medal in male hockey in Canada Games competition.
The tournament started and ended against Quebec for Team Alberta. After opening with a one-goal victory over Quebec, Team Alberta finished first in round-robin play with convincing wins over Manitoba, Yukon and Prince Edward Island. In the semi-final, it was another blowout victory, 6-0, over Ontario, to set the stage for a rematch with Quebec.
In the gold medal game, Scott Hartnell demonstrated the offensive prowess that would eventually lead to a National Hockey League career that currently spans 18 years. Hartnell earned assists on both Alberta goals in regulation time, and then scored the winner in overtime, as Team Alberta eked out a 3-2 victory to claim the gold medal. Dave Selthun and Blake Robson scored Alberta’s goals in regulation time.
James Tindall
Class of 1994
Jim Tindall started coaching hockey in 1953 and was part of the Sedgewick Minor Hockey Association for 40 years as a coach and/or a manager. Starting in 1977, Jim served Hockey Alberta for 10 years as the Zone 7 Minor Chairperson, followed by six years as the elected Director.
During his spare time, Jim officiated hockey for 30 years and served as the Referee Assignor for four years. Jim was also the position of President with the Battle River Hockey League for two years.
Suzanne Triance-Wright
Class of 2007
Suzanne Triance-Wright was a pioneer volunteer with Hockey Alberta starting out as a referee assignor in Ardrossan and ending up as Chair of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Female Council.
Suzanne was the Chair of Female Council in Alberta (1978-89), helped establish Female Hockey Provincial Championships and the inclusion of female hockey in the Canada Winter Games in 1991 and the Alberta Winter Games in 1994.
Garry Unger
Class of 2025
Garry Unger played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League, with his longest stint being with the St. Louis Blues for eight seasons (1970-1979).
Unger made his debut on a junior team when he joined the Ontario Hockey Leagues London Nationals, where he played for the 1966-67 season.
He bounced around to multiple teams during his 1967-68 season including playing on the London Nationals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tulsa Oilers and the Rochester Americans before landing with the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings. He stayed with the Red Wings for four seasons (1967-1971).
He moved to play with the St. Louis Blues until 1979 when he continued his journey, leading him to play with the Atlanta Flames just before their move to Calgary.
During his time in the NHL, he set a record by playing 914 consecutive games in a regular season. He accomplished this playing with the Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Blues and the Flames. His streak was ended when he was benched in a game in December of 1979. This was the only game he did not play for that entire season. He held the record for years until it was surpassed by Phill Kessel during the 2022-23 season.
John Utendale
Class of 2023
John Utendale was the first Black player to sign a National Hockey League contract – with the Detroit Red Wings in 1955 – three years before Willie O’Ree broke the NHL’s colour barrier with the Boston Bruins. John never played in the NHL, but hockey played a significant role in his life and he was a trailblazer in the sport. He was the first Director of Physical Education at NAIT, helped found the Bellingham (Washington) Minor Hockey Association, coached at minor, junior and college levels, and was assistant training coach for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team “Miracle on Ice” squad that won the gold medal. He was also a nationally recognized education trailblazer – from the first Black faculty member at Woodring College of Education to leading the Higher Education Administration Program.
Mike Vernon
Class of 2018
Mike Vernon is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a Memorial Cup winner, who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League with four teams.
Mike hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Calgary Flames, and then again in 1997 with the Detroit Red Wings.
Mike started his career and finished it with the Flames (1982-94, 2000-02). After starring in the Calgary minor hockey system, Mike moved on to the Calgary Wranglers of the Western Hockey League and was drafted by the Flames in the third round, 56th overall, at the 1981 NHL entry draft. Mike recorded his first regular season victory over the Vancouver Canucks in January 1986, and then solidified his position as the Flames’ starting goaltender in 1986-87, finishing third in the NHL with 30 wins. In 1987-88, his 39 wins were second in the league, one behind Grant Fuhr.
The 1988-89 season was one of Mike’s finest. He led all NHL goaltenders in wins with 37 and was second with a 2.65 GAA. In the seventh and deciding game of the first round of playoffs against Vancouver, Mike made a spectacular glove overtime save on a Stan Smyl breakaway that came to be a defining moment of his career, and was later called “the save that won the Cup”. The Flames defeated Vancouver and then went on to defeat the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens to win Calgary’s first Stanley Cup championship.
Howard Wurban
Class of 2008
For more than 30 years, Howard Wurban was involved at numerous levels of hockey, working in development, officiating, coaching, administration and as a board member with the Hockey Alberta Foundation. During his 17 years as the General Manager of Hockey Alberta, he initiated a number of programs, including Zone Teams, Atom 4 on 4, Jamborees, Sledge Hockey, Inline and Pond Hockey.
Howard was the Director of the World Junior Championships in 1995, received the President’s Award for exceptional service to hockey in Alberta in 2000, and the Hockey Alberta Centennial Award in 2007.
Leo Wurtz
Class of 2011
In his 30-year career, Leo Wurtz officiated in 3,500 games including several international assignments. In addition to officiating, he assigned thousands of hockey games each winter for as many as 12 different junior and senior leagues plus Lloydminster Minor Hockey. Leo was a school teacher who recruited, promoted and mentored young officials.
In 1987, Leo was presented with the Northeast Referee Zone Award in 1987, the Hockey Alberta Ernie Boruk Award in 1990, and when he retired in 1990, the Northeast Zone created the Leo Wurtz award, for recognition of outstanding dedication and commitment to officiating.
Eileen Yewchuk
Class of 2006
One of the early organizers of the Edmonton Chimos Hockey Club, Eileen Yewchuk was a pioneer for female hockey in Alberta. In 1977, women’s hockey was formally recognized and registered by the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association. In the following years, Eileen toured the province to promote female hockey, and assist in the growth of the women’s game through player and team registration and league formation. In 1978, Eileen represented Alberta at the first ever national meeting for women’s hockey in Canada, and in 1980 women’s hockey was formally admitted into the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. Eileen helped with the addition of female hockey into the Alberta Winter Games.
