Message from Past Executive Director, Don Freer

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2 Message from Past Executive Director, Don Freer It s exciting to be celebrating 100 years of BC Hockey this year. Having spent 27 years as BC Hockey s Executive Director and having attended some 50 + Annual General Meetings (now Annual Congress), I have some very positive memories of our great organization and the people I had the pleasure of working with. I attended my first AGM in September 1962 in New Westminster as a Senior delegate representing the Trail Smoke Eaters. The meeting was a real eye-opener to me; so many bylaws, regulations and rules to comprehend. Later in my career, I could relate to the frustration many new executives and registrars had. In 1963, I was appointed Manager of the Smoke Eaters who were headed to the World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden. One of the requirements was to register each player on a Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) Players Registration Certificate. My first thought was, What on earth are these? as I had never seen one before. Later, did I realize that I would process some 250,000 certificates. It s interesting to note that in 1962 player registration was approximately 9,600 and in 2000, the year of my retirement, registration was approximately 55,000. In 1973, I joined the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association (BCAHA) as an Assistant to the Secretary Manager, Ivan Temple. The office was located in Temple s basement in Oak Bay. In 1974, the office moved to a rental office located on Fort Street in Victoria. It was then suggested by the president, Ray Peebles, that we look for property of our own and not pay rent, which was approved a few months later. In April 1975, it was approved and the BCAHA purchased property at 1551 Broadmead Avenue in Victoria, BC in order to build our own office.

3 In August 1976, we moved to the Broadmead location. office was 1,500 square feet and cost $112,000. The In 1975, Dave Andrews was hired as Development Coordinator. In 1978, Bob Nicholson joined the organization as Project Coordinator. Two (2) years later, Bill Ennos was hired as Project Coordinator, the beginning of his long employment record, the longest full time paid employee. Congrats Bill! In the late 1980 s, Nicholson joined the CAHA (now Hockey Canada) and Ennos became Development Coordinator. During this period, Tom Renney was named Project Coordinator. Other notables who served our organization include Scott Salmond and Rob Cookson. In the early 1990 s, it became apparent that the Association was going to need more office space and the process to expand the office began. With the guidance of Past President Al Matthews and President Florence Rempel, our new office, located at it s current location, opened in September BC Hockey provided Hockey Canada with three (3) stellar presidents: Doug Grimston New Westminster Frank Lento Fernie Al Matthews Williams Lake To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

4 As I look back at the last 40-some years, we have been more than blessed with talented people who worked in our programs. Dave Andrews President, American Hockey League. Bob Nicholson Past President, Hockey Canada. President, Edmonton Oilers Tom Renney Past National Team and NHL coach. Chief Executive Officer, Hockey Canada Scott Salmond Vice President, Hockey Canada Rob Cookson Past National Team and NHL coach. Well done gentlemen and congratulations! Happy Birthday BC Hockey! Don Freer BCAHA Executive Director

5 The Expansion Years The Kootenay Junior B Hockey League was formed with teams from Trail, Rossland, Nelson and Grand Forks, all from the West Kootenays. In the season, the league expanded to include Spokane and two (2) East Kootenay teams, Cranbrook and Kimberley. Shortly after, Invermere and Creston joined the league. Andy McCallum, Powell River, BC, was presented with the Outstanding Player Award The Vancouver Canucks became a National Hockey League (NHL) expansion team for a price of $6 million. The Canucks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) were promoted to the NHL, but the ownership sold the team as they did not want to pay that amount to join the league. Jim Robson, the voice of the Canucks, followed the Canucks everywhere, from relocating arenas to the NHL. He began his broadcasting career as a teenager in Port Alberni, BC in radio, broadcasting high school basketball games over local radio. He eventually moved to Vancouver to pursue his dream of becoming a sports broadcaster. Jim wasn t just a radio commentator, he moved on to television broadcasts and even worked part time for Hockey Night in Canada. He broadcasted a number of Stanley Cup finals, as well as All-Star games for CBC. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

6 Jim Robson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame s media division in 1992, the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998, the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Hall of Fame in The broadcast booth in Rogers Arena is named after him and a section of 105 th Avenue in Maple Ridge was renamed Jim Robson Way on January 27, Orland Kurtenbach was the second player the Canucks claimed in the expansion draft (from the New York Rangers) and was immediately named team captain. His strong leadership, inspiration and level of play earned him the Cyclone Taylor trophy as the club s most valuable player in three (3) of his four (4) seasons with the Canucks. Following his playing career, he turned to coaching making stops in Seattle and Tulsa before returning to the NHL as head coach of the Canucks from 1976 to He also helped the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) Richmond Sockeyes capture the Centennial Cup, the National Junior A Hockey Championship (now the RBC Cup) in Kurtenbach became the first member to be displayed on the Vancouver Canucks Ring of Honour with a plaque in the rafters of the arena. Orland Kurtenbach was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

7 The Outstanding Player Award was presented to Bill Jones, Kimberley, BC. Bill learned to play hockey in Alberta before moving to Kimberley in 1946, at age 22, to play defence for the Kimberley Dynamiters. At just 145 pounds, he was light for a defenceman but he was outstanding in breaking up plays and handling the puck. Many thought he would not be able to stand the rough play, but what they didn t know was that what he lacked in size he more than made up for it with guts. As a rookie, Jones was part of the 1947 World Championship Dynamiters and was named to the Western International Hockey League (WIHL) All-Star team once while playing 10 years with the Dynamiters. When his playing days were over, he turned to coaching both minor and senior hockey teams Fred Page helped to start the Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League, which later merged with the BC Junior Hockey League in He served as the executive director ( ), president ( ), then chairman of the board ( ), retiring in Page learned his hockey as a player and official in Thunder Bay, Ontario and rose to be president of his local Association. Page moved up to the CAHA where he served as president from 1966 to 1968 and later served as the first vice president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and president of the North American section. In Fred s honour, the Fred Page Cup is presented to the BCHL champion. Fred Page was inducted into the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993, the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

8 1972 John Ferguson (Vancouver, BC) defeated the Soviet Union team in the Summit Series as assistant coach of Team Canada, posting a record. Team Canada won the series in the dying seconds of the final game, a highlight of Ferguson s career. Prior to coaching, he was the first BC-born player to make it big in the NHL, playing eight (8) seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. In his rookie season, he led all NHL rookies in scoring and finished second in voting for Rookie of the Year, behind teammate Jacques Leperriere. In his NHL career, he played in two (2) all-star games and was a member of five (5) Stanley Cup winning teams with Montreal, scoring the winning goal in His only career hat trick came against fellow BC player Cesare Maniago in He scored 145 goals and 158 assists in 500 regular season games. Upon his retirement in 1971, Ferguson had set the Canadiens club record for highest number of penalty minutes in a regular season and the highest number of career penalty minutes. Upon retirement from playing, Ferguson served as coach and general manager of the New York Rangers then vice president and general manager of the Winnipeg Jets. John Ferguson was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1978 and the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998.

9 September 1, 1973 Don Freer was hired as full time assistant to the secretary-manager of the BCAHA. Prior to joining the Association, Freer was part of the Trail Smoke Eaters, first as play-by-play announcer then as co-manager of the team that represented Canada at the 1963 World Championship. On August 1, 1974, he became only the second full time Executive Director of the BCAHA, serving 27 years in the position until his retirement in He was responsible for managing the purchase of the Association s first office and later oversaw the construction of the current building. Freer also oversaw a full governance review of the BCAHA in He was a member of the national committee that rewrote the Hockey Canada (CAHA) Constitution, Bylaws and Regulations. He was once named Volunteer of the Year by Hockey Canada. After retirement as Executive Director, he was elected as an Honourary Life Member of the Association. Personal highlights of his time with BC Hockey are outlined in the opening remarks of this publication. August 1972 At a meeting at the Georgia Hotel in Vancouver, BC, the Pacific International Junior A Hockey League was formed. The league started with six (6) teams and eight (8) different teams operated within the first two (2) seasons. Teams were: Nor West Caps, UBC Braves, Coquitlam Comets, Surrey Stampeders, Richmond Sockeyes, Victoria Maple Leafs, Seattle Totems and Portland Buckaroos. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

10 1973 In one of the most under-recorded but remarkable events in Canada s sports history, the UBC Thunderbirds men s hockey team traveled to China for a seven (7) game series. Under coach Bob Hindmarch, the team dominated the host teams, winning all seven (7) and netted a combined score of This was the first western sports team to play in China. The tour started in Bejing at the People Sports Palace, the largest indoor facility in the country, in front of a crowd of 18,000. This also marked the first-ever hockey game held at the arena. Following the game, UBC player Richard Longpre said, The crowd wasn t allowed to yell or cheer. A loud speaker would come on and tell everyone to be quiet. I ve never been in an arena where so many people made such little noise. Bill Ennos, future BCAHA employee played for this UBC hockey team At the annual CAHA meeting in Winnipeg, Jim Anderson, Trail, BC, was presented with its highest award, the CAHA Meritorious Award. He played junior hockey in Edmonton before playing senior hockey and becoming a world traveler. He played with Earl s Court in the English League, Edmonton Dominions, Trail Blazers and Saskatoon Quakers, in that order. Anderson then spent five (5) years in the Air Force before settling in Trail and playing for the Smoke Eaters.

11 In the season, Jim was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the BCAHA and served for five (5) years. He then became the Association s Rules Committee Chairman and Referee-in-Chief for five (5) years and was elected western representative on the CAHA Rules Committee for four (4) years. In 1967 he became chairman of the committee, serving for three (3) years. He was awarded the BCAHA Diamond Stick Award in Later that year, Ivan Temple, past BCAHA President and Diamond Stick Award recipient, designed a faceoff circle that was adopted by the Joint Rules Committee of the CAHA and the NHL. It had lines designed for the purpose of keeping your feet in set position. It worked for a number of years, but the committee decided to abandon it because the NHL referees could not police it. Frank Griffiths founded and developed Northwest Sports Enterprises Limited and bought the Vancouver Canucks from the Minnesota-based Medicor. He joined the NHL Board of Governors and in 1979 was appointed Vice-Chairman of the NHL and named a member of the NHL Audit Committee. In 1981, Frank appointed his son, Arthur, as Assistant to the Chairman of the Canucks. Arthur negotiated the long-term lease for the team at the Pacific Coliseum and played a large role in the planning and construction of General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena). In 2016, Arthur was the recipient of the WAC Bennett Award, given to an individual who has made a significant, unique and lasting contribution to sport in BC. Frank was awarded the honour in Frank and Arthur are the only father and son that have been bestowed with this honour in the BC Sports Hall of Fame. The Griffiths family was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993 and the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

12 Curt Fraser made his Western Hockey League (WHL) debut with the Victoria Cougars, topping the 40 goal mark twice and the 100 point mark once in his four (4) seasons with the Cougars. His NHL dreams came true when he was drafted 22 nd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in Soon after joining the team, he found himself of the top line with Thomas Gradin and Stan Smyl and was a solid contributor to the Canucks 1982 Stanley Cup run. Fraser played five (5) seasons with the Canucks before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for fellow BC Hockey Hall of Famer Tony Tanti. He played over 700 games in the NHL. Curt Fraser was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Pat Price, Nelson, BC, was selected 11 th overall in the NHL Draft and first overall in the WHA Draft. He opted to sign with the Vancouver Blazers of the WHA for the biggest-ever rookie contract in professional hockey at the time at $1.3 million over five (5) seasons. Price then signed with the NHL New York Islanders where he spent four (4) seasons before a couple years with the Edmonton Oilers. He also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Quebec Nordiques and Minnesota North Stars. Pat Price was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.

13 David Andrews was hired by the BCAHA as Development Coordinator where he spent five (5) years before joining the WHL Victoria Cougars as assistant coach. He coached numerous players with the Cougars who would go on to the NHL, including goaltender Grant Fuhr. In 1981, Andrews coached the Cougars to a Ed Cynoweth Cup win to become WHL champions. The following season, Andrews took over as head coach and director of hockey operations for the Cougars and also coached in Canada s National U18 Program. In addition to his involvement with the Cougars, Andrews served on the CAHA Development Council for 10 year and was Chairman of the Coaching Committee. For seven (7) years, Andrews was the Director of American Hockey League (AHL) Operations for the Edmonton Oilers. He was awarded the James C. Hendy Memorial Award in 1990 as the AHL s outstanding executive. In 1994, he took over the presidency of the AHL. The footprint he has left in the AHL is unmeasurable; led one of the largest expansion efforts ever in pro sports, tripling attendance at games, showcasing games through special events and television, marketing and licensing strategies the list goes on. In January 2016, he was named the 16 th Top People of Power and Influence by The Hockey News and in 2010 he received the Lester Patrick Trophy in He currently sits on the Hockey Canada Foundation Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Order of Canada and is in his 24 th season as president of the AHL. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

14 August 1, 1976 The BCAHA moved into its first Association-owned office at 1551 Broadmead Avenue in Victoria, BC. Prior to, the BCAHA was run out of the basement of BCAHA president Temple s home on Bowker Street and a rental office on Fort Street. It was crowded with the necessary appurtenances Gestetner, collator, copying machine, paper-cutter, addressograph, stamp machine, tape recorder, Dictaphone, electronic calculator. There were also filing cabinets containing the information on the 43,981 who were under BCAHA jurisdiction the year previous and the ledgers which accounted for the receiving and distribution of sums of money which totaled about $170,000 the previous year Tom McVie, Trail, BC, made his NHL coaching debut with the Washington Capitals where he spent four (4) seasons. He then joined the Winnipeg Jets of the Western Hockey Association (WHA) and coached them the season they became a part of the NHL. He guided the team to a World Hockey Association Championship victory in After McVie s tenure with the Jets, he spent a number of seasons coaching with a few teams in the AHL, a couple in the NHL and wrapped up his coaching career in Providence with the Boston Bruins AHL affiliate.

15 In 1998, McVie became a professional scout for the Bruins, a position he still retains today. Prior to coaching and scouting, McVie played Junior, Senior and professional hockey with various teams. It was noted that when he signed with the Medicine Hat Tigers, he left home with a single used stick and a pair of skates was that all that his family could afford. Tom McVie was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Milo Fabro, Kimberley, BC, was the recipient of the BCAHA Diamond Stick Award. He started his hockey career as the executive of the Kimberley Dynamiters, then was elected vice president of the WIHL in 1959 and president in Fabro was elected second vice president of the BCAHA in 1966, first vice president in 1968 and president the following year. Milo was also president of the Kimberley Athletic Association, the WIHL and director of the CAHA. He was elected BCAHA Honourary Life Member in Long-time NHL referee Lloyd Gilmour, Cumberland, BC, officiated the famous game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Soviet Red Army. The Soviets, unhappy with Gilmour not calling a penalty on what has been remembered as a clean body check, refused to restart the game for 15 minutes. Gilmour refused to penalize the Flyers and then gave the Soviets a delay-of-game penalty when they continued to complain and wouldn t line up for the faceoff. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

16 Gilmour worked in the NHL for 19 seasons, and was praised in Sports Illustrated, calling him the NHL s best official because he is virtually an invisible man on the ice. He was instrumental in the introduction of the third man in rule during fights. Lloyd Gilmour was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in On the Flyers roster at the time, were Smithers, BC brothers Jim and Joe Watson. Despite their age gap (Joe was nine (9) years older), both had similar hockey stories; both played defence with a left shot and were described as pure defensemen who would do anything to block a shot. Both had lengthy careers in the NHL (Joe, 14 and Jim, 10). Both played for the Flyers for the majority of their careers. Both scored 38 goals. Both won two (2) Stanley Cups (1974 and 1975) and also made it to the finals in 1976 and The Watson brothers were inducted in the BC Sports Hall of Fame and the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Ray Peebles (Quesnel, BC) was elected an Honourary Life Member of the BCAHA. He was president of the Association for three (3) terms starting in 1971 and served in various roles continuously for 14 years. In 1994, Peebles was awarded with the Diamond Stick Award for his service Some Associations were getting so large and strong that a resolution was passed declaring that member Associations with more than 250 players in any age division would be required to register two (2) teams in such division.

17 1977 Art Jefferd, co-founder of the PCAHA and who had served the Association since its formation in 1919, was awarded the Diamond Stick Award. He was president of the PCAHA from and was awarded the CAHA Order of Merit in A gallant bunch of hockey players put Kimberley back on the hockey map winning the Allan Cup by defeating the defending champions, the Brantford Alexanders, four (4) games to one (1). Labelled the Rags-to-Riches team, the Dynamiters had the unique distinction of coming back from a disastrous start to the season to win the highest honour in Senior hockey in Canada The New Westminster Bruins accomplished something no other team has done before, or since. The Bruins made their fourth consecutive Memorial Cup appearance, but not only did they appear four (4) years in a row, they made the final every time. Winning the WHL championships four (4) years in a row is something spectacular, and the Bruins fell short of a Memorial Cup, by just one (1) game back to back years. In 1977 however, the team won their first Memorial Cup, when the tournament was hosted in Vancouver. New Westminster came back in 1978, their fourth consecutive appearance, and won the Memorial Cup, for the second consecutive time. Dynasties are rarely seen in sport, but are even more rare in junior hockey. Because of the age cap in junior, there is a high turnover of players, making it difficult to produce a winning team every season. The Bruins however, did just that, producing a winning team four (4) seasons in a row. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

18 The roster included notable NHL alumnus Stan Smyl, who was named the tournament s Most Valuable Player, and was coached by the legend Ernie Punch McLean. The New Westminster Bruins are featured on the Hockey Hall of Fame website and were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Smyl played with the Bruins from , playing in three (3) Memorial Cups with the team, captaining them to their back-to-back victories. In 1978 he was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round and began his NHL career the following season. He spent his entire career with the Canucks, appearing in 898 games and scoring 673 points. He captained the Canucks from 1982 to 1990 and still remains part of the Canucks organization. In just his second season with the Canucks, he set a mark that few have ever equaled, he led the team in goals, assists, total points and penalty minutes. When Smyl retired in 1991, he held the Canucks team records for games played (896), goals scored (262), assists (411), total points (673), shorthanded goals (13) and penalty minutes (1,556). Perhaps Smyl s most lasting legacy was in 1982, when he led the Canucks a group of misfits and cast-offs that gelled come playoff time to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the New York Islanders in four (4) games.

19 On November 3, 1991, Smyl s number 12 jersey was retired and hoisted to the rafters at the Pacific Coliseum. Stan Smyl was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in McLean coached 16 seasons in the WHL with the New Westminster and Estevan Bruins. Under his coaching, New Westminster was the WHL champions four (4) consecutive seasons and captured two (2) Memorial Cups. He is second of all time in WHL games coached (1,067), was named Coach of the Year in 1975 and was recipient of the WHL Governors Award in Ernie Punch McLean was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The name Tambellini has some hockey history attached to it. Steve Tambellini may be the first name that comes to mind. He played in the NHL for the New York Islanders, Colorado Rockies/New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, and the Vancouver Canucks. In 1978, Steve Tambellini played for Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, winning a bronze medal after scoring two (2) goals and two (2) (assists). He would go on to represent Canada at the World Championship as well as the 1988 Winter Olympics. Following his playing career, Steve moved into management, working as Director of Player Personnel and Assistant General Manager for the Canucks, and later General Manager (GM) of the Oilers. Steve also served as GM for Team Canada on a few different occasions. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

20 Steve Tambellini was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Steve is not the only Tambellini to be a part of elite hockey, his father Adolph Addie Tambellini, played for the Trail Smoke Eaters when the team represented Canada at the World Championship in Addie won gold with Canada in 1961, and again competed in 1963 when they would finish fourth. Addie would play at the World Championship a third time in 1967, this time as a part of the Canadian National team, winning bronze. Steve s two (2) sons were both drafted into the NHL. Jeff Tambellini, the older of the two (2), played nearly 250 games with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks before spending time in Europe. The younger brother, Adam, is playing with the New York Rangers AHL affiliate still awaiting his first NHL game.

21 For the first time in the awards history, the Diamond Stick Award was presented to two (2) deserving individuals; Frank Spring and Jim Mailey. Spring served as director of the WIHL before being elected as a senior director in In 1971, he was elected as first vice president of the BCAHA and president in He served three (3) terms as president and during his term the new BCAHA office building was constructed. In 1981, Spring was elected a BCAHA Life Member and received the CAHA Order of Merit. During the season, he donated a trophy to the BCAHA to be awarded annually to the MHA judged to have been outstanding in promoting the Association s ideas of good minor hockey. Kamloops MHA was the first recipient. Prior to his administrative roles, Spring played 61 games in the NHL, 13 games in the WHA and spent time coaching. Mailey played Junior and Senior hockey with the Trail Smoke Eaters and coached Midget, Juvenile, Junior and Intermediate hockey after he finished playing. Mailey didn t only play and coach hockey, he was also a referee at the Junior and Senior levels, even organizing and instructing officiating clinics in BC. Jim has received several BC Hockey awards; he won the Mowat Cup as coach with the Junior A Smoke Eaters, the Cromie Memorial Midget AAA as coach for Trail and the Minor Hockey Week Award in To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

22 Ryan Walter (New Westminster, BC) was drafted second overall at the 1978 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He played four (4) seasons with the Capitals, playing the majority of his career with the Montreal Canadiens, winning the Stanley Cup in He finished his last two (2) years of his career with the Canucks. Walter also won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 1982 World Championship, after three (3) consecutive fourth place finishes and spent three (3) seasons as an assistant coach with the Canucks. Prior to his professional career, he played his Junior hockey career with the Kamloops Chiefs of the West Coast Hockey League, and spent a season with the Seattle Breakers. After graduating from Ryerson College in 1978, John Shannon (Oliver, BC) said he was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time in the TV world. Soon after graduating, he began full-time with CBC s Hockey Night in Canada. In 1980, he moved to Calgary, Alberta to be the show s western producer during what was an exciting time to be around the best teams in the league. As a result, he was able to produce the Stanley Cup Final every year that decade. Shannon has been involved in the NHL playoffs for over 35 years and five (5) Olympic games. In addition, his career highlights include: first Stanley Cup Final as producer, which was the New York Islanders beating the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980; working the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway; producing Wayne Gretzky s last NHL game in Canada on April 15, 1999; experiencing Canada s hockey gold in 50 years at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah and launching both Leafs and Raptors TV.

23 In 2003, he won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special for his work at the 2002 Winter Games. John Shannon was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The first BC Winter Games were held in Kamloops, BC which featured Juvenile teams competing for the Monarch Cup. The Kamloops Juvenile team won the gold medal. The BC Winter Games were also the championship for Senior Female. BCAHA s involvement in the games changed over the years, moving from the Juvenile Championship, the Best Ever Program and the High Performance Program (now Program of Excellence) regional and zone teams at the male U16 and female U18 levels. BC Hockey opted out of participating in the BC Winter Games in Team BC captured gold and went undefeated at the 1979 Canada Winter Games in Brandon, Manitoba. The team was made up of 19 Junior B players selected from throughout the province. BC went undefeated in the tournament and captured the gold medal with a decisive 8 0 win over Nova Scotia. The 1979 Team BC was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

24 Bob Nicholson (Penticton, BC) has played an important role in building the game of hockey not only in BC, but in all of Canada. Nicholson joined the BCAHA in 1979 as Project Coordinator, a new position in the Development Program. He helped implement skills development and high performance programs, and was responsible for the growth of several grassroots initiatives in the province. A decade later, the program he developed became the blueprint of an Initiation model licensed and later used in over 50 countries around the world. From , Nicholson served as the President and CEO of Hockey Canada. During that time, the Canadian Men s team won three (3) gold medals in the span of four (4) Winter Olympics, starting in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah and continuing with back-to-back wins in Vancouver, BC and Sochi, Russia, and the Canadian Women s team won four (4) consecutive gold medals. Overall, Canada s national teams won 76 medals at World Championships, Olympics and World Cups, including 44 gold medals, all with Nicholson at the helm. Bob Nicholson was awarded the BCAHA Diamond Stick Award in 2014, was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

25 Bob Hall (Penticton, BC) made his NHL officiating debut, the start of a career that spanned two (2) decades and included 437 game and 17 playoff games. Since his retirement from officiating, he has been the Officiating Manager in the NHL and has also been a WHL Officiating Supervisor. Hall got his officiating start in Richmond and Seafair MHA s in 1973, working his way up the ranks from minor, through Junior, the WHL and finally the NHL. He has also been involved in minor hockey in BC hosting referee schools and instructor clinics. Bob Hall was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The Association s growth and level of administrative sophistication grew in the seventies as the game of hockey continued to grasp people of BC and the rest of Canada. Eventually, after several years of study, a tier system was adopted for Midget, Bantam and Pee Wee divisions. Three (3) new cups were put up for competition in these divisions and awarded for the first time the following season. (see ) To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

26 1980 Bill Ennos (Weyburn, Saskatchewan) was hired by the BCAHA as Project Coordinator. has been an integral part of amateur development in BC and the Yukon. In 1989, Ennos succeeded Nicholson as Development Coordinator where he led the development of transitioning the BC Junior Olympic Program to the Best Ever Program of Excellence (POE), now known as the POE. Prior to joining BCAHA, Ennos starred with the UBC Thunderbirds and was selected to the New York Islanders in He has won numerous awards, including the BC Hockey Life Members Award in 2008 and the Hockey Canada Order of Merit in 2009 for his outstanding contribution to the growth of amateur hockey. Bill Ennos was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The BC Junior Olympic Program started with it s first week-long training school at UBC. The purpose of the program was to provide the top 40 Midget-aged players additional coaching, experience and leadership. The program became the model for the CAHA POE. Since it s introduction in 1980, the program has evolved and gone through numerous name changes; the Best Ever POE, then the High Performance Program is now known as the POE. He

27 Ernie Gare Senior (Nelson, BC) was the recipient of the BCAHA Diamond Stick Award. He played hockey in Trail before moving to Nelson to play Senior hockey in the 1960 s. Back then, he was considered small for a defenceman, but could hand out big body checks! He flattened many a bully with his fist before they learned he was also a boxer. Gare believed that young people are the most important resource and he dedicated his life to teaching them. He coached at the Notre Dame College (NDC) and instituted a scholarship program from which both the College and Senior clubs benefited. For 10 years, the scholarship program flourished, graduating 65 players under his guidance. His greatest accomplishment at NDC was in 1964 with the creation of the first university athletic scholarships in Canada for hockey and skiing. In addition, he founded one (1) of the first BC Hockey Schools, using the facilities of the Civic Centre in Nelson for both billeting and practicing. Following his death in 1980, a group of prominent citizens in Nelson reinstated the Ernie Gare Scholarship Society to continue his legacy of helping young athletes continue their education. It is the longest running scholarship program in Canada. BC Hockey created the Ernie Gare Coach of the Year Award in memory of Gare who demonstrated what the BCAHA felt are the ideal elements of a coach and he displayed them all. Ernie Gare was inducted in the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in It only seems fitting that we write about Senior s son Danny Gare along side his father, as it was Ernie laid out the hard facts for his son about playing professional hockey. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

28 There s a kid in every town in this country that wants to do the same thing you want to do. So what we re going to do is every time you work out, every time you get a step closer to that dream, we re going to put a pin on one of these towns. On Trail, on Castlegar, on Red Deer, on Brampton and so on until you get there. By the time he made it to the big show in 1974, that map of Canada was littered with more pins than any person would care to count and to Danny, it was a reminder of how hard he worked to get to this point and how hard he had to work to stay. He made a grand entrance to his first NHL exhibition game with the Buffalo Sabres by fighting reigning NHL heavyweight champion Dave The Hammer Schultz just 40 seconds into the game. He made headlines again when he scored his first NHL goal in his first regular season game with the Sabres against Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins. Danny played with the Sabres until 1981 when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, spending four (4) years before wrapping up his NHL career with a short stint in Edmonton. He was selected to multiple prestigious teams; twice representing Buffalo in NHL All-Star Games and represented Canada at two (2) Canada Cups in 1976 and Following his playing career, he remained in the game as assistant coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning and as a broadcaster for Buffalo and later the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 2005, his Sabres number 18 was retired to the rafters of the HSBC Arena. Danny Gare was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

29 Glenn Anderson s (Vancouver, BC) first test on the international stage was with Team Canada during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Anderson played for the Bellingham Blazers of the BC Junior Hockey League before being drafted in the fourth round by the Edmonton Oilers in He went on to win five (5) Stanley Cups with the Oilers, all during the epic Wayne Gretzky era. He was traded to the New York Rangers where he won his sixth Stanley Cup ring. Glenn played for Team Canada seven (7) times during his hockey career, winning two (2) Canada Cups and adding a World Championship silver. Over the course of his career, Anderson played 1,129 NHL games, scoring 1,099 points. Glenn Anderson was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in The Elmer Kreller Memorial Cup, emblematic of the Midget AA Amateur Hockey Championship of BC, the trophy was donated in memory of the late Elmer Kreller by his friends and family. Elmer was a Junior player nicknamed Shadow Kreller, when he checked the great Billy Taylor pointless in a Memorial Cup series. He played in BC for the Victoria Army when it won the Savage Cup in the season. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

30 The Stan Patience Cup was donated in memory of the late Stan Patience of Burnaby, BC to be emblematic of the Bantam AA Amateur Championship of BC (now Bantam Tier 2). Stan was a past president and founder of the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association (PCAHA). The Herb House Memorial Trophy was donated in memory of Herb House of New Westminster, BC, emblematic of the Pee Wee AA Amateur Hockey Championship of BC (now Pee Wee Tier 2). House was part of BCAHA for over 30 years and was a founder of mutual aid. He was presented with the Diamond Stick Award in The Development Committee was authorized to present awards for volunteers who made an outstanding contribution in time and effort in assisting referees and coaches. The Officiating Development Award and Coaching Development Award were presented for the first time to Carl Johansen, Kimberley, BC (officiating) and Bill Jones, Kimberley, BC (coaching). Jones won the Outstanding Player Award in the season and the Diamond Stick in The 1980 Burnaby Lakers Senior men s hockey team did what only two (2) BC teams had done before and win the Canadian Intermediate A Championship, the Hardy Cup. They defeated Vernon, Prince Rupert and Port Alberni in separate series to win the Coy Cup. The Lakers then moved on to beat two (2) Alberta clubs to take the Western Canadian title as well. The team beat the Fredericton Capitals in three (3) straight games at the Pacific Coliseum to claim the coveted Hardy Cup. The Hardy Cup was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, the last time it was presented.

31 That same year, Doug Lidster, Kamloops, BC was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the seventh round where he spent 10 seasons with the club before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1994, the year the Rangers beat the Canucks in the Stanley Cup final. He earned another Stanley Cup ring in 1999 with the Dallas Stars. Lidster was part of Team Canada on numerous occasions, bringing home a pair of silver medals from the World Championships. Following his retirement as a player in 1999, Lidster moved to coaching, serving as assistant coach with the AHL s Texan Stars and with his former team, the Canucks. He also helped the Canadian women s team win gold in 2010 as an assistant coach of the team. Doug Lidster was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Coached by Al Patterson, the Burnaby Winter Club (BWC) Travelers accomplished what no other BC team had done before, or since, win the prestigious Air Canada Cup, emblematic of the Canadian Midget Hockey Championship. BWC defeated the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, who were led by future hall of famer Patrick Roy in the championship game played in Victoria, BC. They recorded a season of 79 wins, three (3) losses and three (3) ties. Cliff Ronning (Vancouver, BC) captained the team, was named Most Valuable Player and led the tournament in scoring. The BWC Travelers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

32 For his leadership of the Travelers, Patterson was awarded the Coach of the Year award in He went on to coach the BCJHL New Westminster Royals, the WHL New Westminster Bruins and the Victoria Cougars. Ronning, mainly known for his playing time with the Vancouver Canucks in the 1990 s, went on to play for Patterson and the Bruins where he racked up 136 points in 71 games, earning him the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for the league s Rookie of the Year. The next season, Ronning posted an astonishing 197 points, setting a WHL record at the time, claiming the Bob Clarke Trophy for leading scorer as well as First All-Star Team honours, was named the Most Valuable Player and Most Sportsmanlike Player. He racked up 333 point in 141 games with the team. He was drafted in the seventh round of the NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues in 1984, but never really found his way with the team, spending partial seasons away with the Canadian National Team, the IHL, and half a season in Italy. He was traded to the Canucks in During the season, he posted his career-high record of 29 goals and 85 points, including a five (5) point period! He helped the Canucks on their 1994 Stanley Cup Finals run, playing game seven (7) with a broken hand. In total, Ronning played 1,137 games and scored 869 points in the NHL with the Blues, Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, LA Kings, Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders. Cliff Ronning was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in His son, Ty Ronning was drafted by the New York Rangers.

33 In 1981, Larry Ashley started as the Canucks trainer, a role he would have for 14 seasons. He helped establish the Professional Athletic Trainers Society and was a former president of the NHL s Trainers Association. Ashley also was named to two (2) NHL All-Star Games and served with Team Canada on several occasions. Larry Ashley was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005 and awards an annual plaque in his memory to trainers and members of the medical profession who assist with hockey in BC. That same season, Earl Alexander was presented with the Diamond Stick Award for his contribution to hockey in the Cariboo-Peace District The Girls Ice Hockey Association (GIHA) applied and was accepted into the BCAHA. Many constitutional changes and playing regulations had to be adopted. Girls had to register with the Association and pay similar dues as the boys. Cam Neely (Comox, BC) helped the Portland Winterhawks capture the Memorial Cup in He was drafted that summer in the first round (ninth overall) by the Vancouver Canucks where he spent three (3) seasons before being traded to the Boston Bruins.

34 Neely was recognized in 1994 for his dedication to the game by being named the winner of the Bill Masterton Trophy, which is presented each year to the player that best exemplifies the qualities and perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He made five (5) NHL All-Star Game appearances and was voted to the league s Second All-Star Team on four (4) occasions. In his 726 NHL game career, Neely netted 694 points. On January 12, 2004 the Bruins honoured Cam by retiring his #8. Cam Neely was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in The Best Ever Program, financed by the provincial government, got off to a good start. It was designed to identify and train high caliber young hockey players. Six (6) districts sent their top under-17 team for a competition to play for the BC Cup. The first cup was won by the Lower Mainland. In 1984, Andy Moog, a goaltender from Penticton, BC, won the first of his three (3) Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. He wasn t the first great goaltender in his family; his father Don played for the 1955 World Champions Penticton Vees, a team that Andy also played on but as Junior A, not Senior like his father. You could say that Andy had goalie DNA. He was drafted by the Oilers in the 1980 NHL Draft. He played seven (7) seasons and won three (3) Stanley Cups with Edmonton during their 1980 s dynasty. Moog left the team at the end of the campaign and spent much of the next season with the Canadian National Team and the Canadian Olympic team, appearing in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

35 He was traded to the Boston Bruins in 1988 and in 1990, was awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy for lowest goals against. That same season, Moog and the Bruins were defeated by his former team, the Oilers, in the Stanley Cup final. During his 18 years in the NHL, he became only the tenth netminder ever to win 300 games and went on to post a career record of 372 wins, only 209 losses and 88 ties. His career winning percentage of.622 is one of the highest ever. Andy Moog was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in That same year, Darcy Rota retired from the NHL after three (3) teams and 11 years in the league. Rota played his Junior hockey career with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WCHL, and twice became WCHL champions with the team during his three (3) seasons in Edmonton. Rota was drafted in the first round of the 1973 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He spent five (5) years with the Blackhawks before being traded to the Atlanta Flames in 1979, and wrapping up his career with the Vancouver Canucks. He was a key member of the team during its towel-waving run to the 1982 Stanley Cup. In his NHL career, Rota played 794 games and registered 495 points. Following his playing career, Rota spent 14 years as the owner/general manager/president of the BCHL Coquitlam Express from Darcy Rota was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

36 A Restructuring Committee was established in the previous season to review all aspects of hockey within the province, the Development Program, executive structure, boundaries, etc. The committee made a very thorough study and completed a 25-page report. Many of the changes by the committee were adopted, and as a result, most of the constitution had to be re-written. Some of the changes of note were: Addition of a third vice president, which altered the duties of all the vice presidents Minors were not allowed to vote on Junior matters Another BC Hockey scholarship was established to be awarded annually in memory of a Junior A hockey player who was fatally injured during a hockey game on September 14, The Jeff Butler Scholarship was approved by his parents who wanted to contribute to minor hockey and his love for the game. They donated $2,000 and the Abbotsford MHA donated $500. The recipient of the first scholarship was Steve Bradwell of Fort St. John. The Best Ever Program started this season, replacing the Junior Olympic Program. Cam Kerr (Saskatoon, SK) was selected to coach the Pacific region team. Kerr played for the UBC Thunderbirds and spent many years coaching Junior and Midget hockey in the Lower Mainland. He went on to coach the Olympic men s hockey team in 1987, Team Pacific who toured the Czech Republic and co-coached the Chinese national team in He contributed over 40 years of hockey in BC. In addition to his many coaching roles, he conducted National Coach Certification courses, was a founding member of the Best Ever Program, a provincial and national scout and director of Hockey Canada Skills Academies. Cam Kerr was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

37 Rob Schick (Port Alberni, BC) started his 23-year NHL officiating career on April 6, 1986, the start of a career that spanned over 1,300 games and added another 130 games in the playoffs. Some of his most memorable assignments include the 2001 Stanley Cup finals between the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils, and two (2) All-Star Game appearances. He also officiated what remains the NHL s third longest game in history, a conference final matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. He retired from the NHL on March 7, 2009 as the Minnesota Wild played the LA Kings at the Staples Centre. His jersey is hung in the officials room in Port Alberni. Rob Schick was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The Penticton Knights made history when they became the first team out of the BCHL to win a Junior A national title. The Knights defeated Cole Harbour 7-4 in the finals to secure their victory. The Penticton Knights were inducted in the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.

38 In this season, Brett Hull (Belleville, ON) was passed over by officials with Team Canada when they selected their roster for the 1986 World Ice Hockey Championships. However, the American national team invited him to join their squad, as he had dual citizenship. He accepted and led the team in scoring with seven (7) goals and 11 points for the sixth place Americans. He later said that the faith shown in him by the American team gave him the confidence to excel in his career, playing the remainder of his international career with Team USA. Upon moving to BC as a child, Hull played the remainder of minor hockey with the North Shore Winter Club, quitting hockey in his last year of Midget in Following a year off hockey, a buddy convinced Hull to tryout for the Penticton Knights Junior A team. Hull was awarded a spot out of camp, partly due to the fact that he was the son of Bobby Hull. Brett did not disappoint the Knights, scoring 104 points in his first season, and accumulating 188, including 105 goals, in his second season. Hull was drafted in the sixth round of the NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames, making his debut on May 20, 1986 in game three (3) of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Over his 1,269 game NHL career, Hull scored 1,391 points and hoisted the Stanley Cup twice Dallas Stars in 1999 and Detroit Red Wings in During his time with Team USA, he helped the Americans to gold at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and was a two (2) time Olympian, winning a silver medal at the 2001 Winter Olympics. Brett Hull was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 and also the Hockey Hall of Fame the same year, joining his father to become the first father and son players inducted into the hall. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

39 Murray Baron (Prince George, BC) was drafted in the eighth round of the 1986 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. He played 15 seasons in the NHL with five (5) different teams; Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Phoenix Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks. Since his retirement from playing, Baron has taken on numerous coaching roles with Kamloops MHA, the Kamloops Storm of the KIJHL and the Thompson Blazers of the Major Midget League (MML). Murray Baron was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The BCAHA implemented the Initiation Program designed for beginners 5 11 years of age to teach them the basic skills of hockey in a non-competitive situation. Instructors went through an eight (8) hour instructional course to help teach the basic skills and covered philosophy, sportsmanship, motor learning and more. The slogan for the program was: Hockey is for the fun of it! Dairyland, in conjunction with the BCAHA Hockey Development Program held three (3) Sportsmanship Jamborees in Williams Lake, Sicamous and Saanich/Victoria. The jamborees were designed for Bantam house players to come together from the surrounding districts and then divided and placed on different teams. Sportsmanship was the focus of the event with points being deducted for penalties. The jamborees were fun-filled, low-key competition that emphasized the values of sportsmanship, fellowship and participation in minor hockey.

40 The BCAHA also started an awareness program, sponsored by RivTow, call the RivTow Awareness Program. The program was intended to promote clean and safe hockey for players and coaches throughout the year. It wasn t intended to focus on the bad guys, but instead looked at ways in which the conduct of the majority is maintained and how it can be extended further. The overall program goal was to have a partnership between parents, coaches, referees, administrators and players to get them aligned and talk about what they can do to help the positive development of hockey. In 1987, Kay and Vern Haggard were nominated to the Yukon Sport Hall of Fame for their contributions to hockey. Kay started her extensive hockey career in 1976 as a casual time keeper and by 1977 she was promoted to head time keeper. In this capacity she was responsible for scheduling time keepers for all games and training new volunteers. Not only did she show her support for hockey through time keeping, but she served on the executive of Whitehorse MHA as their publicity director. Vern started his hockey involvement in the Yukon in 1976, initiating the Old Timers Hockey League and serving as their first president until He also spent many hours organizing the annual Whitehorse Old Timer tournaments and traveled to many outside tournaments. In 1981, Vern became a certified referee and began officiating minor hockey. He was also a dedicated hockey coach from 1981 to 1991, including coaching the 1982 Midget B Whitehorse MHA team who traveled to play in a tournament in Sweden. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

41 The same year, Jim Hughson (Fort St. John, BC) joined TSN as the lead play-by-play announcer for the network s NHL games. Prior to this role, Hughson worked on Canucks radio broadcasts, filling in on occasion for Jim Robson as play-by-play man. In 1982, he became the television voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his time at TSN, he often enthusiastically proclaimed: That s hockey! when describing an exciting play during broadcasts. TSN later adopted the phrase as the name of its popular program That s Hockey, a talk show covering the NHL. Hughson has held various other sports broadcasting roles including stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Hockey Night in Canada and was the play-by-play voice of EA Sports award winning NHL Series. He has won five (5) Gemini Awards over his career and in 2004 he was named the best sports play-by-play announcer or analyst. Jim Hughson was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Joe Sakic (Burnaby, BC) helped Team Canada win gold at the World Junior Championship, the first of several international medals. Sakic joined the Lethbridge Broncos late in the season before the team moved to Swift Current the following season. In his first full season with the club, Sakic was named Rookie of the Year after he put up 60 goals and 73 assists for 133 points that season. But while Sakic enjoyed success on the ice, he and his team faced a tragedy on the night of December 30, 1986.

42 The Broncos were driving to a game against the Regina Pats, and due to bad weather conditions, the bus crashed after the driver lost control on a patch of black ice outside of Swift Current. While Sakic was unharmed, four of his teammates (Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff) were killed. Sakic was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft and made his debut on October 6, In 1995, the team was relocated to Denver and renamed the Colorado Avalanche. The team captured its first Stanley Cup with Sakic netting 120 points in the regular season and added 34 in the playoffs, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player was an incredible year for Sakic; he led the team to their second Stanley Cup, set a career best record of 54 goals and won the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award. On the international stage, Sakic represented Canada at seven (7) competitions, bringing home six (6) medals. In addition to gold at the World Junior Championship, he brought home silver twice 1991 World Championship and 1996 World Cup and gold three (3) more times 1994 World Championships, 2002 Winter Olympic Games and 2004 World Cup. Ron Boileau s relationship with the BCHL began in 1988 when he served as vice president and statistician. He then served as league president from 1990 to He was unanimously voted as an Honoured Member of the BCHL. Ron spent much time researching the BCHL back to its roots in 1961, gathering it all into a 500-page League Media Guide. One of his passions through his research, was the Pacific Coast Hockey Association ( ) and the number of today s rules that came from the Association. Everything from the forward pass to playoff format, the awarding of assists, the penalty shot and numbers on the back of jerseys to name a few. See First Edition for these and other innovations from BC. His collection of media guides and memorabilia was regarded as one of the most extensive, dating back to the 1920s. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

43 Boileau was credited with starting the Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJAHL) in 1993 and was named the leagues first president and stats man, roles he occupied until The CJAHL also unanimously voted him an Honoured Member. Formerly known as the Chevrolet Cup, the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy is awarded to the BCHL team that accumulates the most points during the regular season A pair of rookies and future hall of famers made their debut with the Vancouver Canucks; Trevor Linden (Medicine Hat, AB) and trainer Pat O Neill (Victoria, BC). Linden spent much of his career with the Canucks, playing from 1988 to 1998 and again from 2002 to 2008 and is currently the President, Hockey Operations. Within three (3) years of joining the team, he became the Canucks youngest-ever captain at just 21 and Captain Canuck. He led the team to back-to-back Smythe Division titles in 1992 and 1993, followed by a run for the 1994 Stanley Cup that was within a goalpost in game seven (7). He scored two (2) goals while playing through broken ribs and torn rib cartilage. During his Canucks career he played 1,382 regular season games, amassing 867 points plus 99 more in 124 playoff games. Linden has represented Canada on the international stage at the 1996 World Cup and 1988 Winter Olympics. Trevor Linden was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010 and BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

44 Growing up, O Neill worked at the family sporting goods store dreaming of one day making it to the big leagues. He was equipment manager of the Winnipeg Jets for eight (8) seasons before joining the Canucks. He has worked more than 2,600 NHL games, including two (2) All-Star Games and has been called upon several times by Hockey Canada for the Olympics, World Championship and the World Cup. O Neill was also a member of the Canada Olympic gold medal team in Pat O Neill was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Rod Brind Amour (Campbell River, BC) made his Team Canada debut at the 1989 World Junior Championship. He was drafted to the NHL by the St. Louis Blues in 1988 after starring with Michigan State, where he earned the nickname Rod the Bod for his intense work in the weight room. Brind Amour played 20 seasons in the NHL which included 1,484 games and 1,184 points. He won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game, twice. He represented Canada on numerous occasions including winning gold at the 1994 World Championship. Rod Brind Amour was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

45 The same year, Bob Nicholson (Penticton, BC), who had served as the BCAHA Development Coordinator for nine (9) years, joined the CAHA as Vice President. Bill Ennos was named Development Coordinator and Tom Renney was hired as Project Manager. Nicholson has played an important role in building the game of hockey not only in BC, but in all of Canada. He joined the BCAHA in 1979 and helped implement skills development and high performance programs, and was responsible for the growth of several grassroots initiatives in the province. A decade later, the program he developed became the blueprint of an Initiation model licensed and alter used in over 50 countries around the world. From , Nicholson served as President and CEO of Hockey Canada. During that time, the Canadian men s team won three (3) gold medals in the span of four (4) Winter Olympics, starting in 2002 in Salt Lake City and continuing with back-to-back wins in Vancouver and Sochi, and the women s team won four (4) consecutive gold medals. Overall, Canada s national teams have won 76 medals at World Championships, Olympics and World Cups, including 44 gold medals, all with Nicholson at the helm. At the 2014 BC Hockey AGM (now Annual Congress), Bob was presented with the Diamond Stick Award for his outstanding service to the game. Bob Nicholson was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

46 The following year, Renney (Cranbrook, BC) left the BCAHA to join the Kamloops Blazers behind the bench. He immediately established success at the Junior level, leading the club to consecutive President s Cup championships and a Memorial Cup in In the two (2) seasons Renney was with the Blazers, he led the team to a record. He moved on to join the Vancouver Canucks coaching reigns when he took over from Pat Quinn for the season. He also spent time with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings. Aside from the NHL, Renney also coached Team Canada on numerous occasions, including 10 World Championships, capturing three (3) gold, three (3) silver and two (2) bronze medals. Renney is currently the CEO of Hockey Canada. Tom Renney was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in On October 6, 1989, Robin Bawa (Duncan, BC) made history as the first player of Indian decent to play in the NHL when he stepped on the ice for the Washington Capitals. The following night, he scored his first NHL goal. Bawa played 61 games in the NHL for the Capitals, the Canucks, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks before being forced to retire in 1999 due to a concussion. He played minor hockey for the Cowichan Valley MHA and played five (5) seasons with the Kamloops Junior Oilers and Kamloops Blazers. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

47 The Bruce Allison Scholarship was awarded for the first time. The scholarship is awarded annually in memory of the late Bruce Allison of Richmond, BC, the 26 th president of BC Hockey. He was instrumental in establishing and pursuing scholarship opportunities for members of BCAHA and advocated the pursuit of educational goals through hockey excellence. For the first time, Associations were given the opportunity to nominate deserving officials for three (3) CAHA awards. Fred Zibin (Port Alberni, BC) was awarded Most Deserving; Chris de Haan (Abbotsford, BC) was presented with the Most Improved and Mark Trevelyan (Williams Lake, BC) received Most Promising honours. The first Penalty Free Challenge during Minor Hockey week was a resounding success. The program, a rather simple concept to promote fair play, awarded certificates to any team who had a penalty free game during the week. In the first year, BCAHA received 183 entries from 115 teams representing approximately 1,655 players from 44 Associations. Jay Sharrers (New Westminster, BC) became the first black linesman in the NHL in October 1990 when he worked a match between the Boston Bruins and the Quebec Nordiques. He made history again in 2001 when he became the first black referee, officiating a contest between the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning in April Prior to making his NHL debut, Sharrers rose quickly through the minor hockey ranks and on to the Memorial Cup and World Junior Championship.

48 After more than 1,600 regular season games, nearly 200 playoff games and seven (7) Stanley Cup Finals, Sharrers hung up his officiating skates in The Female Team BC brought home a silver medal from the 1991 Canada Winter Games, the first time Female Team BC competed in the games. In fact, the season prior was the real introduction of the Female Best Ever Program (now POE). The team put in a solid effort, beating teams expected to be their superior. Paul Kariya (Vancouver, BC) laced up for Team BC at the Canada Winter Games where he scored nine (9) points (4G, 5A) in five (5) games. The team however, finished a disappointing 10 th place to be classed as the hard-luck team of the tournament. The team lost four (4) games by a total of four (4) goals. If not for an overtime loss to Manitoba, they would ve played in the medal round. Kariya played his Junior career for the Penticton Panthers of the BCJHL, scoring over 110 points both seasons he played. He also racked up a few trophies; Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy Rookie of the Year (1991), Bob Fenton Trophy - Most Sportsmanlike Player (1991, 1992), Vern Dye Memorial Trophy Most Valuable Player (1991, 1992) and Canadian Junior A Player of the Year (1992). He moved on and joined the NCAA University of Maine where he made his mark on hockey, scoring an even 100 points in just 39 games, earning the Hobey Baker Award in his rookie season. The same season, the Maine Black Bears won the NCAA National Championship. Kariya would go on to earn many more honours including all-star teams and most sportsmanlike player on multiple occasions. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

49 Kariya played with four (4) NHL teams (Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues) over his 15 seasons in the league, where he racked up 989 points in 989 games. On the international stage, he represented Canada eight (8) times and won six (6) medals; silver at the 1991 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, gold at the World Junior Championship in 1993, silver at the 1994 Winter Olympics and 1996 World Championship, and gold at the 1994 World Championship and 2002 Winter Olympics. Paul Kariya was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in Mark Recchi (Kamloops, BC) won his first of three (3) Stanley Cups, this year it was with the Pittsburgh Penguins and later with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and the Boston Bruins (2011). In addition, he suited up with the Philadelphia Flyers, Atlanta Thrashers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Candadiens. In his 1,652 NHL games, Recchi scored 1,533 points. He played his Junior career in the BCHL with Langley Eagles and in the WHL with New Westminster Bruins and Kamloops.

50 Internationally, he was a member of Canada s 1988 gold medal World Junior team, three (3) times he was a member of Canada s World Championship team and represented Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Recchi got his named etched on the Stanley Cup for a fourth time as player development coach with the Penguins in Currently he serves as a co-owner of the Kamloops Blazers. Mark Recchi was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in Danielle Dube (Vancouver, BC) became the third goalie to play men s professional hockey when she played a game with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the West Coast Hockey League. She was named BC Female Athlete of the Year in Dube had a lengthy career on the international stage with Team Canada from , and again from , winning a gold medal at the 1997 World Championship. Her career didn t stop there; she attended UBC after her pro hockey career was over. Starting in the season, Dube led the Thunderbirds women s hockey team to the playoffs her first season, posting a.943 save percentage. At the end of her four (4) years with UBC, Dube hung up her competitive skates at the age of 39. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

51 Scott Carter was a founding member of the BC Hockey Hall of Fame was established in He was a key player in finding the location for the hall, and providing significant hockey historic attractions. Carter has been connected to hockey at all levels, including scouting for the Anaheim Ducks, and is currently the general manager for the WHL Spokane Chiefs. Scott Carter was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in In 1991, the Marsh Flexible Goal Peg System made its debut in the NHL, after making their debut in the WHL in the 1980 s, and landing in the Olympics by The pegs were invented by Fred Marsh (Kitimat, BC). The Marsh Pegs revolutionized player safety in hockey when he looked to improve safety at the two (2) hockey rinks he managed in Kitimat. The pegs were stiff enough to hold nets in place when bumped or pushed, but flexible enough to allow nets to come loose when players collided with them at high enough speeds, thus saving players from injury. Prior to Marsh s invention, hockey nets in every rink were secured by inflexible metal posts. Players crashing into the net were vulnerable to serious injury.

52 Around 1991, Rob Cookson started with the BCAHA with the U17 player development program, which at the time was a regional program. He then joined Hockey Canada as manager of video production where he attended several international tournaments as a member of Team Canada s coaching staff, including the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics. As an assistant coach, he helped Team Canada win silver at the 1994 Olympics and gold at the 1997 and 2003 World Championships, as well as the 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2004 World Junior Championships Ten (10) players played on the U17 Team Pacific, including Brendan Morrison (Pitt Meadows). Morrison played two (2) years of Midget hockey before he moved on to the BCJHL, playing for the Penticton Panthers and posting 94 points. That year he was drafted in the second round by the New Jersey Devils. Following Junior, Morrison played four (4) seasons for the University of Michigan, winning the Rookie of the Year in his first season, and nominated for the Hobey Baker Award the next three (3) seasons, winning it in his fourth year. Morrison played three (3) seasons with the Devils before joining the Vancouver Canucks, where he spent most of his career. He spent eight (8) seasons in Vancouver and finished his career with 200 goals and 401 assists, for a total of 601 points. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

53 Morrison represented Canada three (3) times at the World Championships, winning gold once in Brendan Morrison was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Three (3) BC players played on the Canadian National U18 Team, including Scott Neidermayer (Cranbrook, BC). Niedermayer became a very distinguished hockey player, winning almost everything there is to win in hockey internationally, personally, and in his Junior and professional careers. He began is hockey career with the WHL Kamloops Blazers, where they won two (2) WHL titles and added a Memorial Cup in He was drafted third overall by the New Jersey Devils. Niedermayer is part of the exclusive Triple Gold Club, having won a Stanley Cup, a World Championship and an Olympic gold medal (2002, 2010). He won four (4) Stanley Cups, three (3) with the Devils another with the Anaheim Ducks. Neidermayer played over 1,200 games in the NHL, notching 740 points and he won the James Norris Trophy for top defender and a Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup MVP.

54 Scott Neidermayer was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012, the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 and BC Sports Hall of Fame in Must ve been something in the Neidermayer blood, as younger brother Rob made his mark in the professional and the international scene as well. He was drafted fifth overall in the 1993 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers and would go on to play with the Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres. The Neidermayer brothers were one (1) of the fortunate sibling duos to win a Stanley Cup together. They captured the covenant trophy in 2006 while playing with the Ducks; a fourth for Scott and Robs first. Rob played over 1,000 NHL games and finished his career with 469 points. Rob Neidermayer was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in This began the start of the domination of the WHL Kamloops Blazers who won three (3) Memorial Cups in a span of four (4) years, a feat that is particularly impressive because of the high turnover rate of players due to the age cap in the league. The Blazers were coached by Tom Renney in the season, the first year that they won their first To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

55 Memorial Cup title. The team was led by leading scorer Zac Boyer (Inuvik, NWT) and WHL s Top Goaltender and Player of the Year, Corey Hirsch (Medicine Hat, AB) and other notable players including Scott Neidermayer, Darryl Sydor (Edmonton, AB) and Darcy Tucker (Castor, AB). They cruised to the best season record with 51 wins and four (4) ties in 72 games. The 1992 Memorial Cup Kamloops Blazers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The Athlete Assistance Program was developed and 10 BCAHA athletes and 19 varsity team players were named to the program and received financial assistance for training purposes. Midway through the season, Brian Barrett (Merritt, BC) returned to coaching when he took over head coach duties of the Merritt Centennials. Merritt s Mr. Hockey has held many roles in his extensive hockey career, from coaching, to administration and everything in between. One year, he led the Merritt Midget team to an impressive 56-0 season to capture the BCAHA Tier II title.

56 Barrett played Junior hockey in Penticton, Kamloops and Merritt before starting a coaching career in 1971, where he coached Midget and Junior teams for some 25 seasons. Brian also was an Owner and Manager of the Merritt Centennials. For Merritt s master builder of hockey, no job has been too big or too small. Well over 100 Centennials have enjoyed hockey careers at the pro level including 14 in the NHL. Barrett has won many awards including the BCHL Coach of the Year and the Dunc Jamieson Award. Merritt Centennials are the longest continuously run franchise in the BCHL Brian Barrett was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Colin Patterson (Cranbrook, BC) was presented with the prestigious Gordon Juckes Award from Hockey Canada in As a player, Patterson won the NCAA championship in 1965 as a member of Michigan Tech and later played with the Kimberley Dynamiters. As a coach, he coached in numerous leagues including the Swiss Elite League, British Pro League and in the WHL with the Tri City Americans and the Memorial Cup Champions Kootenay Ice. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

57 Patterson was awarded the first-ever BCAHA Ernie Gare Coach of the Year Award in the season. Colin Patterson was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Frank Lento received a Minor Hockey Week Award for his devoted volunteer effort to minor hockey programming. Lento served hockey at all levels, from local Associations to Hockey Canada, where he received the Hockey Canada Order of Merit in He has also contributed to hockey on the international stage with the IIHF and was part of the bid committee for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Frank served as the President of BC Hockey from and was named an Honourary Life Member. Frank Lento was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in A Female Leadership Seminar was introduced this season to aid in the advancement of female hockey. Eight (8) districts were brought to Richmond to spend the weekend discussing female hockey.

58 The Kamloops Blazers won their second of three (3) Memorial Cups in four (4) years with help of notable players Tucker, Jarome Iginla (Edmonton, AB), Shane Doan (Halkirk, AB), Hnat Domenichielli (Edmonton, AB), Nolan Baumgartner (Calgary, AB), Jason Strudwick (Edmonton, AB) and Ryan Huska (Cranbrook, BC). The Blazers went 3 0 in the round robin and punched their ticket to the championship game where they defeated Laval 5 3. Tucker was awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP. Although the Blazers had a free pass to the Memorial Cup tournament in as Kamloops was hosting, they refused to coast and were determined to earn it. They cruised to a perfect 3-0 round robin and straight to the final where they manhandled the Detroit Junior Red Wings 8 2 to capture back-to-back Memorial Cups. Don Hay (Kamloops, BC), currently the WHL s most-winning coach of all time, was the head coach of the Blazers for both back-to-back Canadian Junior Hockey Championships Kamloops Blazers To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences.

59 For the second year in a row, Doan was awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy, while Iginla received the George Parsons Trophy as most sportsmanlike player. Doan, Tucker and Baumgartner were named to the all-star team. The and Kamloops Blazers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in The Kamloops Blazers were inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in Kamloops Blazers 1994 Florence Rempel (Penticton, BC) became the first female president of the BCAHA serving from Before she was named president, Rempel was very active in the hockey community in BC, earning the Development Award Coaching in , an acknowledgment for a volunteer being devoted to assisting the coaching program within the BCAHA. She served as the representative for the Hockey Research and Development Council for

60 Hockey Canada in She earned a Minor Hockey Week Award in 1994 and was also awarded the Diamond Stick Award. Florence was a great contributor to the BCAHA and hockey as a whole, especially in the development of the game and its many players. Don Griffin (Kitimat, BC) was presented with the prestigious Diamond Stick Award in Griffin was involved with the Pacific Northwest Hockey League, a mixture of Intermediate and Junior teams in the northwest region of BC in the 1970 s and 1980 s. He also served as Northern/Yukon District Director from and The 1994 Vancouver Canucks team was what many Canucks fans argue the best team they have ever roster and the best season the team has ever had. The team made it to the Stanley Cup Final, however fell short in seven (7) games to the New York Rangers. The team was led by captain Trevor Linden and goaltender Krik McLean on the historic Canucks playoff run A pair of BC Hockey officials, Kelly Sutherland (Richmond, BC) and Willy Saari (Kamloops, BC), were selected to officiate at the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Sutherland would go on to an extensive career as a referee, officiating in more than 1,287 NHL games including the Stanley Cup Final and the All-Star game. Saari has been a longtime volunteer with BC Hockey s Officiating Program. To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Lifelong Hockey Experiences Kamloops Blazers

61 Thank you to the following resources: 1 A History of the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association; Atwell, Leo. April BC Hockey Hall of Fame 3 BC Sports Hall of Fame 4 Hockey Hall of Fame 5 History of Hockey in BC; Boyd, Denny Hockey BC: Celebrating 75 Years of Amateur Hockey in BC 7 Hockey Hall of Fame 8 Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

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