Membership Awards Program Presented by ATB
Hockey Alberta recognizes the amazing work done by groups and individuals in the game of hockey every year through the Hockey Alberta Awards Program presented by ATB.
Nominations for the Membership Awards Program closes on April 30.
Volunteer of the Year: One award presented annually to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to amateur hockey during the current season. Whether as a Team Official, Official, or Administrator (team executive member, Minor Hockey Association executive member, Hockey Alberta volunteer, league executive Member), the recipient will have dedicated significant effort, time, and leadership to growing and/or developing hockey in their local community and/or provincially.
Coach of the Year: One award presented annually to a coach who has made an outstanding contribution to amateur hockey during the current season. The recipient will have obtained all necessary certifications, operated his/her team over and above the minimum guidelines and standards set out by Hockey Alberta, provided a fun and safe learning environment for the players, and made an outstanding contribution to the community through the team.
Minor Hockey Association of the Year: One award presented annually to recognize a Minor Hockey Association (MHA) judged to have made a significant impact on the game through their day to day operations. The MHA will have participated as a member in Hockey Alberta meetings, operated over and above the minimum guidelines and standards set out by Hockey Alberta, provided hockey options dedicated to growing the game locally, and made an outstanding contribution to its community.
The following awards are determined by Hockey Alberta through a review of all eligible candidates and are not open to nominations.
- Order of Merit
- Provincial Championships Exceptional Host Site Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Official of the Year
Awards listed in the tabs below recognize recipients of previous Hockey Alberta awards:
One award presented annually to a player who has achieved significant achievements, performances and contributions within amateur hockey during the current season. The recipient will have attained high levels of achievement both personally and with the team. S/he will have acted as an outstanding role model and displayed leadership qualities for his/her team as well as for other players within the community by helping to grow and develop the game while ensuring a fun and safe learning environment for all players.
- 2022-23: Ryley Budd (Calgary)
Ryley Budd wanted to give back to the sport that has provided him with a lifetime of memories. The 15-year-old goaltender with the Calgary Northstars of the Alberta Elite Hockey League (U15AAA) undertook a fundraising effort in partnership with EnerCorp. The fundraiser – to send a goalie with HEROS Hockey to Ontario for his first tournament – was based on the number of saves he made and shutouts he earned during the regular season ($1 per save, $10 per shutout). Ryley totaled 686 saves and two shutouts, to raise $700. When EnerCorp learned about HEROS Hockey and Ryley’s plans for the money, EnerCorp raised the total to $5,000 and those funds helped send the entire HEROS hockey team to the Ontario tournament.
- 2021-22: Nikolas Michaud (Strathcona)
During the 2021-22 season, Nikolas created a fundraising initiative called “Saves for SMS” to raise awareness for Smith Magenis Syndrome (SMS). He was inspired by his sister, who has SMS, and wanted to use his skills as a goaltender to give back. Nikolas began collecting pledges for every save he made during the month of February. Through the initiative, Nikolas educated his teammates on SMS and encouraged them to give back to their community.
- 2019-20: Elise Hugens (Sherwood Park)
Elise Hugens, of Sherwood Park, was named the top goaltender in the Alberta Female Hockey League’s Midget AAA division in 2019-20 as she finished her minor hockey career with the Edmonton Female Athletic Club Pandas. In earning AFHL accolades, Elise led the league in goals against average (.960) and shutouts (six). She accumulated an 11-5-1 record along the way, with the 11 victories good for third in the Midget AAA division. The Pandas finished second overall, and Elise was named team MVP.
- 2018-19: Kason Buffalo-Rain (Maskwacis)
Kason Buffalo-Rain is from Maskwacis. He played on a team that lost every game this year. But Kason isn’t focused on wins and losses. The eight-year-old is an amputee, with his leg is amputated at the knee. he skates with one leg, yet was his team’s leading goal scorer throughout the season. He did not miss a single game or practice this year, and his passion for the game is very high and has no barriers that hold him back
Recognizes a Team’s significant achievements, performances and contributions within amateur hockey during the current season. The recipient will have attained high levels of achievement as a Team. Team members will have acted as outstanding role models within their community and displayed leadership qualities focused on growing and developing the game while ensuring a fun and safe learning environment for all players.
2021-22: Lloydminster Female U13 Blazers
The Blazers were the winners of the 2022 Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup for their plan to make their local arena more accessible. The team also hosted Try Para Hockey event to raise awareness about the sport and the importance of ensuring arenas across the province are accessible for individuals with different kinds of disabilities. Winning the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, the Lloydminster Blazers were able to donate $100,000 to a charity of their choice. The team chose to donate it to Inclusion Lloydminster - a charity that promotes and improves the quality of life for persons with disabilities.
2019-20: Crowfoot Coyotes Peewee AA
Calgary’s Crowfoot Coyotes Peewee AA team gained national recognition as Alberta’s finalist in the 2020 Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup. As a regional finalist, the team won $2,000 for the charity of their choice -Team Naomi Get Well Now - a program to support children’s cancer research. The team’s choice of charity was inspired by the cousin of a team member (and niece of the team’s assistant coach and manager) who suffers from pediatric cancer. The team learned that childhood cancer research receives only four cents of every dollar spent and decided that 100 per cent of the funds raised by the team would go to children’s cancer research.
2018-19: Springbank Peewee AA Rockies
2017-18: St. Albert Slash AAA Female Midget
This award is presented to outstanding individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to development hockey programs.
- 2017: Jeremy Congo, Keith Hurd, Ron Oscroft, and Roger Wolfe
- 2016: Wade Borynec, Tim Leer, Boris Rybalka
- 2015: Blair Becker, Craig DeCoursey Chris Turnbull
- 2014: Howie Draper, Jody Ginther, Maureen Medori
- 2013: Lance McKinnon, Gary Snydmiller
- 2012: Paul Carson, Guy Doucet, Kevin Sharp
- 2011: Mike Scheidl, Mark Woytkiw
- 2010: Karen Kost, Rob Dawson
- 2009: Bob Bartlett, Duncan MacDougall, Penny Leshenko
- 2008: Brian McNaughton, Curtis Nichols, Lois Pohlod, Marty Alexander, Wayne Vandermark
- 2007: Tyler Broderson, John Kobal, Pat Stasiuk
- 2006: Pam Chicoine, Paul MacDougall, Ken MacVicar, Barry Medori, Scott Robinson
- 2005: Melody Davidson, Larry Golby, George Kallay, Miles Spencer
- 2004: John Jacobs, Chris Martin, Don Moro, Mike Rebus
- 2001: Frank Adair, Ian McKinley, Wally Popik, Ivan & Kathy Prefontaine
- 2000: Jim Fleming, Gord Mark, Rick Polutnik, Murray Summers, Mel Whitesell
- 1999: Judy Colpitts, Alec Fedoruk, Larry Hofmann, Kim Laing
- 1996: Judy Colpitts, Ron Oscroft
- 1995: Chris Mundle
- 1994: Dale Henwood, Perry Pearn
- 1993: Orest Korbutt
- 1992: Wally Kozak
- 1991: Randy Aubie, Merv Ellis
- 1987: Wally Bentley, Bruce Hutton, Bob Kapel, Al Lymer
Awarded to a Minor Hockey Executive (an individual) for their outstanding contribution to their Association.
- 2017: Pamela Brown (Grande Cache MHA)
- 2016: Rod Bischke (Olds MHA)
- 2015: Graham Tanner (St. Albert MHA)
- 2014: Erron Steele (Leduc MHA)
- 2013: Jacki Cook (Cold Lake MHA)
- 2012: Ken Morris (Hockey Calgary)
- 2011: Lin Luymes (Lacombe MHA)
- 2010: George Pietersma (Fort Sask MHA)
- 2009: Les Wilson (Cold Lake MHA)
- 2008: Marv Seibel (Red Deer MHA)
- 2007: Rick Nordstrom (Grande Prairie MHA)
- 2006: Bruce Goodwin (Okotoks MHA)
- 2005: Marie Pederson (Carstairs MHA)
- 2004: Brad MacKay (Vulcan MHA)
- 2003: Don Kelly (Spruce Grove MHA)
An award presented to “honour those individuals who for many years, served hockey in Alberta in one or more of the following: Player, Coach, Team Manager, or Team Executive, Minor Hockey Association Executive or Volunteer, Hockey Alberta Volunteer, League Executive:
- 2017: Greg Nesom
- 2016: Rob Dawson,Gary Snydmiller
- 2015: Darcy Haugen, Gary Tremblay
- 2014: Jannie Bettac, Kim Marsh, Ken Vreeling
- 2013: Vern Davis, Dennis Aspeslet, Donald Roberts, Sherri Barrett
- 2012: Cara Sheppard, Lorna Leblanc
- 2011:, Jack McAvoy, Jane Pitchers, Richard Baroldi, Darryl Havrelock
- 2010: Gilbert Renaud, Jim MacLean, Red Hetchler
- 2009: Jamie Marouelli, Lil Fulton, Robert “Bobby” Olynyk, Calgary Buffaloes
- 2008: Donna Curry, Gary Bruce, Joyce & Roy Ruptash, Randy Hupka
- 2007; Janet Homme, Murray Summers, Byron Stephen
- 2006; Debbie King, Rhonda Hunter, Meagan Walton
- 2005: Marion Hira, Myles Homme, Loretta Normandeau
- 2004: Kim Laing, Debbie Northcott, Jim Otteson, Earl Reid
- 2003: Betty Chmilar, Dwayne Lundquist, Tim Patterson, Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds
- 2002: Rick Craddock, Gord Hira, Val McGeachie, Don Squire, Margo Wagner, Dennis Woolsey
- 2001: Herman McMann, Gordon Smith
- 2000: Don Lunn, Ray Marsh, Roger Otteson, Ron Panchyshyn, Chuck Paxton
- 1998: George Dermott
- 1997: Melody Davidson
- 1995: Shirley Cameron, Rolland Getmain
- 1994: Bruce Atchison, Gary Bruce, Jack McAvoy, Cary Slette
- 1993: Martin Blake, George McCorry, Woody Reid, Ellen Thompson
- 1992: Dave Ganley, Bill Moore, Jim Morris, Q91
- 1991: Jim Holden, Ron Panchyshyn, Al Tone, 790 CFCW
- 1990: Don Dingwell Richard George, Anne Hayden, Ken McIntosh
- 1989: Bob Hammell, Leo Harrold, Adam Swabb
- 1988: Morley Bengert, Don Gannon, Doug Sherriff, Stu Wilkinson
- 1987: Bob Arkley, George Cook, John Gruber
- 1986: Ken Craig, Leo Harrold, Richard “Woody” Reid, Laura Scott
- 1985: Mike Bugaida, Larry Reid
- 1984: Dale Henwood, Bruce Hutton
- 1983: Bernie Munawich, Jim Rutherford