RED DEER – Hockey Alberta celebrated outstanding service, leadership and dedication to the game on Saturday during the 2026 Hockey Alberta Membership Awards presented by ATB and Life Member Reception.
Held at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer, the annual celebration recognized volunteers, officials, coaches, administrators, associations and community leaders whose contributions continue to strengthen hockey across the province.
Life Member
A special highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of Hockey Alberta Life Membership to Len Samletzki, while also recognizing his years of service as a past Chair of the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors.
Len is a visionary leader whose service on the Hockey Alberta Board helped shape the organization’s modern era. He joined the Board in 2010, and played a key role in securing Hockey Alberta’s partnership with Red Deer College (now Red Deer Polytechnic) and later guided the organization through governance reform, increased accountability and the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. As Chair of the Board from 2019 to 2025, his steady leadership, commitment to positive change and passion for preserving Hockey Alberta’s history left a lasting legacy across the province.
Life Membership is the highest honour Hockey Alberta can bestow and is reserved for individuals whose lifetime of service, leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on the game throughout Alberta.
WATCH LEN’S LIFE MEMBERSHIP TRIBUTE >
2026 Hockey Alberta Membership Awards
Also recognized during Saturday’s ceremony were the recipients of the 2026 Hockey Alberta Membership Awards, honouring excellence across the Hockey Alberta membership.
Order of Merit
- Ernie Boruk Award: Josh Smith (Lacombe)
- Dave Ganley Award: Dave MacPherson (Grande Prairie)
- Excellence in Administration: Daryl Pickering (Sylvan Lake)
- Excellence in Administration: James Parks (Calgary)
- Excellence in Development: Damon Jeffs (Peace River)
Official of the Year: Ben Solomon (Calgary)
Provincial Championships Host Site Award: Blackfalds Minor Hockey Association
Volunteer of the Year: Shannon Steil (Battle River)
Minor Hockey Association of the Year: New Sarepta Minor Hockey Association
Coach of the Year: Darcy Preece (KC South/Edmonton)
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and honourees. Your passion, leadership and commitment continue to make hockey stronger in communities across Alberta while inspiring future generations to enjoy the game. Thank you for helping make hockey a sport for life.













