Loren Krukowski recognized as Hockey Alberta Life Member

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is proud to announce that Loren Krukowski of Warburg has been recognized with Life Membership status for his decades of service to minor hockey.

Life Membership is the highest honour which may be bestowed by Hockey Alberta, recognizing individuals who have dedicated their time and support to making the game of hockey better in Alberta.

"Loren Krukowski was an exceptional representative for minor hockey from the Warburg area, before becoming a key volunteer at provincial level, including serving as a President of Hockey Alberta. We are pleased to be able to recognize his commitment to hockey for life in Alberta,” said Fran Zinger, a member of the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors, and Chair of the Life Member committee.

Krukowski originally got involved in minor hockey in Warburg when his children started to play, coaching both his sons and his daughter throughout their careers. Along the way, he attended numerous coaching clinics to help his players improve their skills. His coaching philosophy focused on team spirit, fairness and respect for others.

In addition to coaching, Krukowski was instrumental in starting a female hockey program in Warburg, and eventually became a board member and president of the local association. He was Warburg’s representative for the Sturgeon Hockey League including overseeing discipline.

Krukowski believed in the importance of development in all areas of the sport, and he was known as a great problem solver. He organized and instructed skills clinics, player development camps and management seminars, and was involved provincially with the Alberta Cup, Alberta Winter Games, and various jamborees. He also served as the Hockey Alberta representative on a team tour to Czechoslovakia.

Provincially, Krukowski was elected to Minor Council for Zone 4 1n 1992 and served until 1997. He also served in the following roles:

• 1997-2000: Hockey Alberta, Minor Council Chair, including representing Alberta at Hockey Canada meetings.
• 2000-2003: Zone 4 Director, and Hockey Alberta Vice President
• 2003-2005: President, Hockey Alberta
• 2005-2007: Past President, Hockey Alberta

Krukowski passed away in October 2021

He will be recognized formally at Hockey Alberta’s 2022 annual general meeting on December 1.

Hockey Alberta is committed to making our game safer and more inclusive for participants in Alberta and across the country.

Hockey Alberta has identified that allegations of maltreatment, regardless of where or when they occur in our sport, need to be investigated and adjudicated by individuals with specialized skills. As a result, for the 2022-23 season, we have appointed a new Maltreatment Officer, and four new Maltreatment Investigators.

Hockey Alberta has also identified that Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives require leaders with special skills and experience. An EDI Task Force was created in October 2021 to help improve the experience of everyone in our sport. That Task Force has been shifted to full Committee status, with its members helping set a new and improved direction for our sport across Alberta.

Hockey Alberta has requested that Hockey Canada take certain actions and provide answers by specific deadlines. We have outlined that a lack of action may lead to Hockey Alberta taking other actions which include, but are not limited to, withholding participant fees.

We believe it is important to establish a set of actions within a national framework to improve the overall culture of our sport. We have provided input for Justice Cromwell’s governance review, and we are awaiting the report’s final recommendations. Our participation will continue during review sessions this month, and other processes moving forward.

Hockey Alberta continues to meet with Hockey Canada and our Branch partners across the country. We continue to ask the questions for which our Members and stakeholders are seeking answers. That is our commitment – to continue working towards an improved and stronger hockey system for Albertans and participants across the country.

Finally, to the entire hockey community in Alberta – hockey is being played across the province. That is not going to stop regardless of what is happening at the national level. Thank you to the tens of thousands of individuals – Members, volunteers, and parents – who continue to work hard every day to ensure that games and practices occur for our players.