2015 Alberta Hockey Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced

Four individuals and one team comprise the 2015 Induction Class for the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame (AHHF).

Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation announced on Tuesday that the 2015 inductees include a member of the Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames, a former captain of the Edmonton Oilers, a Centennial Cup winning team, the winningest coach at the post-secondary level, and a long-time Hockey Alberta volunteer.

“This is a special time of year for the AHHF Selection Committee – we have the opportunity to look over and remember the significant contributions to our sport in Alberta, Canada and beyond,” said Bob Clark, Chairman of the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee. “It’s our honour to recognize these inductees. Their legacies and accomplishments can now take their place Alberta’s hockey history.”

The following four individuals and team have been chosen by the AHHF selection committee to enter the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame at an Awards Gala on July 25 in Canmore:

Builder Category

- Ken Babey
- George Kallay

Achievement Category

- Al Hamilton
- Lanny McDonald
- 1979-80 Red Deer Rustlers

This year’s inductees will be recognized at the AHHF Awards Gala taking place on Saturday, July 25, at the Coast Hotel in Canmore.

Each year the AHHF welcomes nominations from the public until January 30. Nominations can be for an individual or team, active or retired. Nominations are reviewed by the AHHF Selection committee. At minimum, a nominee must have:

- lived in Alberta for at least five years,
- personal and/or professional accomplishments in the game of hockey,
- made an impact in the game beyond a local or regional level, and
- received other significant recognition.

The AHHF gallery is located within the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Red Deer. The AHHF gallery is designed to preserve and celebrate Alberta’s hockey history. Display items date back to the first days of hockey, and include old jerseys, photographs, and trophies. The Hall of Fame maintains the legacy of professional and amateur hockey in Alberta.

The Team Alberta Under-18 Female team captured the bronze medal at the Canada Winter Games in Prince George, BC.

Alberta defeated Saskatchewan, 5-3, on Friday to claim the medal, Overall, the team accumulated an impressive 5-1 record, with their only setback coming in the semi-finals against Ontario.

In the bronze medal game, Alberta goals were scored by Alex Poznikoff (2), Malia Schneider (2), and Sarah Lecavalier. Assists went to Kennedy Ganser (2), Shae Labbe (2), Regan Wright, Abigail Niewchas, Abigail Benning, and Schneider. Dana Owen was the winning goaltender.

Other members of the bronze medal winners included: Jolene Debruyn, Channia Alexander, Elizabeth Salyn, Cayle Dillon, Amanda McLeod, Taylor Sawka, Erinn Baddock, Daria O’Neill, Lauren Bowman, Emma Keenan, Codie Cross; head coach Howie Draper; assistant coaches Wade Borynec and Leah Copeland; equipment manager Wes Nystrom; athletic therapist Jade Viegas; and director of operations Mike Kraichy.

The Team Alberta Female and Male hockey teams are ready to represent the province at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, starting on February 13th in Prince George, BC.

The Under-18 Female team will be in action during the first week of competition (February 13th-20th), while the Under-16 Male team will take to the ice during week two (February 21st-March 1st).

For the U18 Female team, they finish preparation in Airdrie with three practices over two days before flying to Prince George on February 12th. The team has part of Friday to acclimatize to the one-hour time zone change, before hitting the ice for a practice in the afternoon.

“With every camp we’ve had in preparation for Prince George, the team has progressively become more cohesive as a unit,” said Mike Kraichy, Hockey Alberta’s manager of Team Alberta and director of operations for the Female team. “They players are very confident, but everyone is very aware that every game will be a battle.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TEAM ALBERTA FEMALE U18 ROSTER

Preliminary round pool play starts on February 14th. As the gold medalist at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, Team Alberta is seeded in Pool A, grouped with Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Team Alberta opens against Nova Scotia, then plays Manitoba on the 15th, and Saskatchewan on 16th. All games are at 7:30 pm (PT, game times subject to change) at the Kin 2 Arena in Prince George.

Qualifying round playoff games start Tuesday, February 17th, with the quarter-finals set for Wednesday, February 18th; semi-finals Thursday, February 19th; and the gold and bronze medal games on Friday, February 20th. Playoffs are at the CN Centre.

For the U16 Male team, they also will be holding their final preparation camp in Airdrie, on February 19-20, before flying to Prince George.

“The process of building Team Alberta has been progressing in a positive direction throughout December and January. Our partnership with the Alberta Midget Hockey League has been a great asset to the process in terms of playing exhibition games as the team prepares for the Games,” said Tim Leer, Hockey Alberta’s senior manager of Team Alberta, and director of operations for the Male team. “The commitment by the team staff and players has been excellent and everyone is buying in to the goal of making Team Alberta all it can be in representing Alberta in Prince George.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TEAM ALBERTA MALE U16 ROSTER

The Male team has its first practice in Prince George on February 21st, and then begins preliminary round pool play action at the Kin 2 Arena on February 22nd against Saskatchewan (4:00 pm PT, all times subject to change). As the bronze medalist at the 2011 Games, Team Alberta is seeded in Pool B, and also plays Nova Scotia on February 23rd (4:00 pm PT), and Quebec on February 24th (7:30 pm PT).

Qualifying round playoff games start February 25th. The final eight teams will play quarter-finals on February 26th, and semi-finals on February 27th, with the bronze medal game on February 28th and the gold medal game on March 1st. Playoffs are at the CN Centre.