Emha spring2015 book by Suggitt Publishers

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 5.

President’s Message

Publisher’s Message

NHL Referee Kyle Rehman By Rob Suggitt

17.

HockeyShot Tip of the Month

29. Wendy’s Arena Locator Map 46. 2015 Wayne Gretzky Award Winners By Marvin Babiuk 48. 30 Games in 30 Nights By DT Baker

18. Kelly Hrudey: From the Ice to the Broadcast Booth By Jeremy Freeborn

52. Spotlight on an Official: Mackenzie Maidment By Rob Suggitt

22. Memories from Minor Hockey Week 23.

2015 Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week Gold Medal Winning Teams (Featured from pages 23 - 44)

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

MESSAGE FROM HOCKEY EDMONTON Congratulations to all 2015 Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week champions and thank you to the organizing committee for their tireless contributions and leadership that has resulted in another great event; to sponsors, for their continued support; to north zone officials, who donated their services for the duration of the week; to arena managers; and to all the volunteers who make an event of this magnitude possible.

The Wayne Gretzky scholarships were awarded to Fabio De Nardis (Beverly Warriors), Ethan Edstrom (SS982 - SSAC AB Sportswear) and Quinn Sweetzir (NE150 – NEZ Bantam A). The Fifth Annual Stollery Family Day Classic was better than ever. Thanks to Steve Serdachny, the SFDC committee, all the volunteers as well as the Stollery Children’s Hospital staff. The month of March will be busy for Hockey Edmonton. One of our first events is the 11th Annual Timbits Jamboree at TCRC March 13-15. This year’s jamboree features upwards of 120 teams. Thanks to Tim Hortons and the organizing committee for your assistance with another of our flagship events. As we wrap up the season with the playoffs, Hockey Edmonton is heavily vested in the 2015 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, hosting Atom AA Minor March 12 – 15 and Peewee AA Minor March 19–22, both at Castledowns arena, and Midget Female A March 19-22 at Callingwood arena. As well our Peewee tier 1; Bantam AA and tiers 1 and 2; and Midget AA and tiers 1 and 2 teams, and female A and B teams in peewee, bantam and midget will be competing in championships across the province. The 2015 ENMAX Hockey Edmonton City Championships run from March 1–19 and feature over 525 teams from Edmonton and surrounding communities. This is the second season ENMAX has been a title sponsor for this event. Along with sponsorship, the ENMAX agreement with Hockey Edmonton includes hoodies for all novice players; additional dollars for each team to reduce the cost of hockey, augment team operations, or use towards upcoming tournaments; and funds to help cover additional ice time for Hockey Edmonton teams. “Playing hockey is… being Canadian”… and Hockey Edmonton continues to work on attracting new participants and welcoming new families to our great game. Our new initiatives focus on fun, building confidence, inspiring community. They demonstrate the value hockey offers kids and families and celebrates hockey as an integral part of Canadian heritage. In 2014-15, in partnership with Hockey Canada and Bauer Hockey we successfully operated two sessions of the First Shift program – each introducing 45 new participants to the game. Additionally we offered four Every Kid Every Community Discovery and Try Hockey programs that were equally successful. It is our goal to provide more of these events next season. We extend our thanks to the Edmonton Oilers and especially the Edmonton Oil Kings for their leadership and continued support of amateur hockey through fundraising initiatives like the 50-50 programs and, even more so, the hosting and involvement of so many of our teams on a nightly basis. The in-game experiences contribute greatly to our teams’ development and are memorable for all. As we near the end of the season and start planning for 2015-2016 our executive committee and board of directors continue to work on key initiatives. Our ice committee, development team, and boundary review committee are working diligently on new standards and incorporating Physical Literacy, Canadian Sport for Life and Long Term Athlete Development philosophies that will allow us to better shape and deliver our various hockey programs and initiatives. Hockey Edmonton will continue to be active in this area from facilitation of educational sessions through program review and inclusion of these principles in our new standards of play. These principles are core to all current and future Hockey Edmonton program decisions. As I approach the end of my four years as president, I wish to thank the executive, board, committees, coaches, volunteers, officials, and staff for your contributions to the game and the assistance you’ve provided. We aim to create quality programs that teach the fundamentals and techniques of hockey while promoting and upholding the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play. We do this with the selfless dedication of thousands of volunteers. Thank you to all for another great year of hockey.

Respectfully, Betty Chmilar President, Hockey Edmonton

10618 - 124 St., Edmonton, AB T5N 1S3 Ph: (780) 413-3498 • Fax: (780) 440-6475

www.hockeyedmonton.ca To contact any of the Executive or Standing Committees please visit our website

Board of Directors Executive

President: Betty Chmilar • Past President: Chris Hurley VP Admin: Mark Doram • VP Operations: Stephen Anderson VP Development: Vacant • Treasurer: Barry Bentz Junior Chairman: George Metez • Federation Chairman: Kasey Kozicky AA Chairman: Will Jang

Directors Knights of Columbus EFHC: Jeff Stephen NE District: Darlene Hein • NW District: George Davidson SE District: Gerald Kruhlak • SW District: Brett Purdy EGHA: Rob Reid • CAC: Doug Stoker • MLAC: Ed Croken SSAC: Ted Boomer • Knights of Columbus AA: Jeff Gore

Hockey Alberta Committees Operations Advisory Committee: Paul Schmidt | Dean Hengel Regulations: Betty Chmilar Administration: Mark Doram | Glenn Sommerville Discipline & Sanctioning: Stephen Anderson

Standing Committees Hockey Edmonton Alumni President: Orest Zaozirny Ice Allocation: Bernie Coderre • Ice Management: Pat Elliott Minor Hockey Week: Darrell Davis • School Hockey: Jason Stewart EOCF 50-50: Sandra Gaeckle • Provincial Championships: Livia Paradis Recreational Hockey League: Bob Kerr Referee Representatives: Herman Costa (AA) | Duncan MacDougall (Federation)

League Directors

Federation Hockey Council Midget: Terry Fulmer • Bantam: Art Wilson (Interim) Pee Wee: Crystal Feader • Atom: David Onyschuk Novice: Lil Kordic

AA Council Bantam AAA: Ed Croken • Bantam AA: Russ Lukawesky Major Midget AAA: Bob Olynyk • Minor Midget AAA: Carrie Aldridge Midget AA: Tracy Orbel • Rem 15 Midget AA: Mike Hennessey

Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week Committee Chair: Darrell Davis • Vice Chairperson: Bill Renshaw Central: Bill Ross • Media: Nicole Turenne Schedules: Darrell Davis | Jeff Suess | Dan Osborn Secretary: Ana Bennett • Website: Doug Kirillo Sponsorship & Marketing: Marvin Babiuk • Treasurer: Deb Bykowski Past Chairpersons: Joan Kirillo | Rod McMahon Terry Brown | Marvin Babiuk

Staff General Manager: Dean Hengel Coordinator Administration: Glenn Sommerville Administrator: Loree Dawson Manager of Ice Operations: Dave Linman Ice Coordinator: Ray Vigneau

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE Welcome to our final edition of Hockey Edmonton Magazine for the 2014-2015 season. This is our Yearbook Edition of the magazine, which features the gold medal winning teams from 2015 Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. Additionally, we have included “spotlights” of players who won gold medals during this event. (And on our cover, we have three members of the Atom Eagles, who won gold at QEMHW.) Inside we also have an article on the three players selected for the Wayne Gretzky award. There are only five Wayne Gretzky miniature statues in the world, and in 1989, three of them were presented to the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association. This award is given annually to a participant in the AA, BB and Junior programs, a player who exhibits sportsmanship, scholastic achievement and community involvement. Congrats to this year’s winners: Quinn Sweetzer, Ethan Edstrom and Fabio Denardis. One of the mainstays of our magazine is the “Spotlight on an Official” feature, where we interview a young minor hockey official. For this edition, we met up with 16-year-old Mackenzie Maidment, who has been officiating minor hockey for four seasons. We’ve been doing this feature for 12 years, and it never ceases to amaze me the confidence and composure level exhibited by these young officials. Also on the officiating side of things, we have a feature interview with NHL referee Kyle Rehman. Rehman grew up in central Alberta, and is now in his ninth season as an NHL official. Rehman reports what it’s like to be a referee in the best hockey league in the world, and he took the time (on game day) to pass along a few tips for young hockey officials. In wrapping up this issue, I will exercise a bit of self-promotion in describing an article which involves me as one of the subjects. Beginning on March 13th, I will be taking a hockey fan’s trip of a lifetime – to see an NHL game in every city, and doing so in 30 consecutive days. And along the way, I’m planning on raising awareness, and more importantly, funds for Make-A-Wish. All money raised will go to this important cause, so if you feel inspired, please check out my website www.30games-30nights. com for information on how to donate. That’s all for this issue. With the hockey season winding down, we would like to wish all the participants a great off-season, and look forward to seeing everyone back on the ice in a few short months!

Credits President and Publisher Rob Suggitt Art Director Christine Kucher Graphic Designer Cole McKelvie Contributing Writers Jeremy Freeborn | Marvin Babiuk Rob Suggitt | DT Baker Cover Photo Provided by Epic Photography Copy Editing Shari Narine Photography Credits SC Parker Photography Andy Devlin - Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club © Epic Photography | Rogers Sportsnet Los Angleles Kings Hockey Club Special Thanks To: Ian Jackson with Epic Photography Administration Amber Grmek Playhouse Publications Ltd. also publishes the Citadel Theatre Playbill, Edmonton Opera Playbill, Arden Theatre Playbill, Fringe Theatre Adventures Arts at the Barns Magazine and the Calgary Opera Program 10177 - 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1E2 Ph: 780-423-5834 • Fax: 780-413-6185 The Hockey Edmonton Magazine is a product of Playhouse Publications Ltd., an affiliate of Suggitt Group Ltd.

President & CEO Tom Suggitt President & CFO Rob Suggitt All rights reserved. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher or Hockey Edmonton. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. www.Suggitt.com Printed by: R.R. Donnelley

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Kyle Rehman, 34, became a student of officiating later than most hockey officials. Nearly all NHL hockey officials have extensive experience playing the game, and most took up officiating in their early to mid-teens, before making it a career path. Rehman, who was born in Stettler, and raised in Red Deer, did not start officiating hockey until he was in his last season of Junior “B” hockey. “I was so far behind the eight ball when I started. A lot of these guys I was working with were doing it since they were 14 or 15 years old. I was in at 20 years old, so I had to try and catch up. By doing both (refereeing and linesmen duties), I got the opportunity to work more hockey games.” In getting his start as an official, Rehman is quick to offer credit to a number of people who guided him along the way. “Dave Mousseau was the referee-in-chief of the North Central Zone , and he asked me if I ever gave any thought to officiating. (Laughs) I said no, that doesn’t really appeal to me at all, and he said you should give it some thought. I was a bit of an agitator, one of those players who would get under another player’s skin, usually behind the play, knowing the referee wasn’t looking. Dave told me that those kind of players usually make good referees, and suggested I give refereeing a shot. It seemed like a good way to stay involved in the game, stay active, so I signed up that fall, and had some good (early) success,” said Rehman.

“I was also fortunate that the North Central Zone in Red Deer gave me a good opportunity. I was working Bantam AAA and Midget AAA almost right away, and by the end of the year, I was selected to work the Bantam and Midget AAA championships, but I couldn’t go because I was still playing Junior B, and we were in provincials. The next year I was doing Midget AAA, and some Junior A and they said ‘we’re going to throw you to the wolves, so it’s sink or swim,’ and I swam, and kept moving on from there.” When asked when he knew he had a potential future career as a hockey official, Rehman recalls a pivotal moment. “It wasn’t until I went to the Hockey Alberta Development Camp in 2000, and Darren Gibbs and Kevin Acheson were there as guest speakers. Kevin worked in the Western Hockey League, he worked the Olympics, done numerous world championships. And Darren worked about 1,000 games as an NHL linesman. After hearing Darren and Kevin speak, that’s when it really came to me. I knew I wanted to be an NHL official. “When Kevin was done with the camp, I got in contact with him and said, ‘Listen, I’m interested, I want to work for the Western Hockey League.’ That year after I was working Junior A and whenever I wasn’t working Junior ‘A’ or working Bantam AAA or Midget AAA, I would get in the car with Kevin, and we would go to Red Deer, Calgary, Saskatoon or just about anywhere to go watch games. And I would take notes at every game, and that’s how you learn.” Rehman spent about five years working in the WHL before getting the call to move up to the pro ranks.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

“I did five years. I was pretty lucky – I came through pretty quick. I guess timing was one thing. I guess one of the best reasons is being a good student of the game. And that’s what I always tell young officials – you not only have to have the skills on the ice, but it’s also what you do off the ice, and that’s by watching games, reading the rule book. The one thing you don’t have as a young official is experience. Even to this day, if I’m not working, I’m watching hockey. If we’re on the road or out for dinner, we try to find some way to catch a hockey game, because that’s how you learn – you learn from your co-workers, you learn by watching. You never stop learning, and if you do (stop learning), that’s when you get yourself in trouble.” Rehman recalls some of his early pro experience. “Working the East Coast League was a good experience. I didn’t have a work visa at the time, so I just worked games in Victoria (Salmon Kings), and you would go there and work three games in a row. You not only had to manage one hockey game – you had to manage three. And it’s pro hockey – guys doing this and making a living. “Same with the American Hockey League – I worked my first game in Manitoba when I was still in the Western Hockey League. Got the call up because one guy in the NHL got hurt, so another guy got the call up to the NHL. It’s a little bit of luck, some of it is timing, but it’s a lot of hard work. For me, the journey hasn’t taken as long as it has for some guys. I think It’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time.” Rehman recalls his first NHL regular season game, and it was the Edmonton Oilers at Tampa Bay. “Very cool – my family came down for the game, and that was a neat experience for them. And for me, officiating hockey in the middle of January, when there are palm trees and it’s 25 or 30 degrees is

“The biggest change in the game is speed. Even this year from last year, it just gets faster every year.” neat. I was born here in Alberta, grew up when the Oilers were going through their dynasty years. My dad took me to a number of Oiler games, and I was at the game when they won the Stanley Cup in 1984.” Rehman was too focussed to be starstruck, but he remembers a game when he caught himself immersed in the action, his first NHL game ever, which was an exhibition game between the Wings and Canucks. “I remember Detroit was on a 5 on 3, and I was the back referee, and you just see how they move the puck, and it goes from Zetterberg to Datsyuk to Lidstrom, and I’m just going ‘holy.’ I watched this on TV, and now I’m out here with these guys. It was pretty well the only time I was starstruck. When you’re out there, you’re really doing your job. I get that question asked a lot – ‘it must be cool to know all these guys.’ It’s neat to talk to them, but it’s not like we’re friends, or we talk about other things. You have a common ground in one way, but other than that, it’s hockey, and when we’re on the ice, it’s all business.” Rehman is in his ninth NHL season, and while he joined the NHL just after two big changes were made in the game (the introduction of the two-man referee system and the changes to rule enforcement), he has noticed some differences in the game.

“The biggest change in the game is the speed. Even this year from last year, it just gets faster every year. These guys – the training they’re getting is so specific – they’re training all the time. You see some of these guys off the ice, and some of them are not very big, but their legs are incredibly strong, and their core is just so strong. This year I’ve said to lots of guys, when it’s in the endzone, this is the hardest it’s ever been – you have to be a good skater to stay out of the way.” When asked about the most important physical skill required of an NHL official, Rehman is quick to say it’s the skating. “I do some camps in the summer, and I focus on the power skating mostly at these camps with kids, and I say if you want to aspire to be a National Hockey League official or work in Hockey Canada, the Western League or Ontario league, you have to be able to skate.” When asked about the best part about being an NHL official, Rehman doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the greatest game in the world. We’re just a small cog in the game, but we’re the necessary evil if you want to say it that way. But just to be out there with those players, and just to see what they can do and their skill, it’s truly an honour and privilege to be out there.” Toughest part? “It’s gotta be the travel. I’ve got a young family – two young kids, and I don’t get to see them very much. We love what we do, but it’s tough being away.” And being away is a big part of the job. NHL officials work 73 games a season (plus playoff games for those selected), and there are no “home” games for an NHL official. And NHL officials fly coach, not charter, but Rehman is not complaining. The life of an NHL official is a “pretty cool life,” as Rehman puts it, and he hopes to keep his NHL career going strong for years to come.

“It’s gotta be the travel. I’ve got a young family – two young kids, and I don’t get to see them very much. We love what we do, but it’s tough being away.”

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Skating big, with power, confidence and effortless speed allows you to showcase your hockey smarts, and gets you noticed. There is no question that speed is essential in the game of hockey today and that is what Quantum Speed™ is all about. We are so confident in the unique, world renowned, skating development system that we have created that we guarantee results. When you participate fully in our signature Q3 and Q3i programs you WILL be faster AND skate with much greater efficiency. As a top level hockey player we understand that one of your goals is to figure out how to use your unique skill set to “dictate the play” ... to be continually responding to the changes in the game that you are creating rather than just reacting. Developing “quantum” SPEED is the central variable that puts you in the driver’s seat. In today’s game, you simply will never be able to dictate the play until you are able to dial up the speed. The Quantum Speed™ skating development system is based on years of research, education, experience and most importantly – RESULTS! The Q3 / Q3i training process is demanding and requires a serious level of commitment. Training takes place over a three month period (one intensive week of training per month) and follows the standard training principles of specificity, progression, overload, and recovery / adaptation. We also work with each individual athlete to insure that what we do fits into your overall periodization plan. Our Q3/ Q3i programs are specifically designed for players that are bantam age and older as a high level of physical and mental maturity and motivation is required to stay focused throughout the training period. Training happens on the ice, in the gym / field, and in the classroom.

We recognize that helping you learn how to skate with more power and speed is of little use if you don’t also learn to process information at a faster rate (i.e. think faster). The skills and drills incorporated relate directly to real game situations, allowing you to learn the contexts in which your new speed can be applied. The “formula” is remarkably simple: Technique + Power = Speed. However, the process of identifying strengths and weaknesses, providing accurate, useful and well-timed feedback, and maintaining high levels of enthusiasm and motivation comes only from very high level of instruction. In each of your sessions you will have between three and five skating performance experts, plus assistants and demonstrators, scrutinizing every move you make and answering every question you have. You will not find a more talented, welltrained, or more motivated team of skating performance coaches anywhere on this planet.

For more information about what you need to do in order to develop the speed to lead please check out our website – www.quantumspeed.ca or give us a phone call at 780.489.4159.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

From 1984 to 1998 one of the most entertaining goaltenders in the National Hockey League was Kelly Hrudey. An Edmonton native, Hrudey now lives in Calgary where he is a colour commentator for the Calgary Flames broadcasts on Rogers Sportsnet. In January, Hrudey spoke to Hockey Magazine for an exclusive interview prior to a Flames practice at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Hrudey reflected on his minor hockey career in Edmonton, his outstanding NHL career with the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, his work as a hockey broadcaster, and his outstanding charitable endeavours while in Calgary. Hrudey first started playing hockey at the age of three in Edmonton. His parents built Hrudey a rink in his backyard. After sometime just playing recreational road hockey, Hrudey, who was 11 at the time, told his parents he was interested in playing organized hockey. His parents told him he needed to work on his skating first. For a full year, Hrudey practiced his skating by going to the local rink after school. When he was 12, Hrudey joined a hockey team. It was during his recreational ball hockey days, when Hrudey was told by the father of one of his friends, that the position of goaltender was the best position for him to play as Hrudey was stopping the ball more than anyone else.

During his years in Edmonton minor hockey, Hrudey played in Elmwood (west Edmonton) and then a year with Inland Cement Midget A, prior to playing three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League from 1978-1981. Hrudey looks back at the 1977-78 season with Inland Cement fondly. “The year with Inland Cement was magical. We started off okay, not great. Around Christmas we started to gel. We ended up winning the provincial championships.” Hrudey was selected in the second round, 38th overall, by the New York Islanders in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. The Islanders had just won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history and Hrudey was excited to be part of this franchise on the rise. “It was cool because my first ever NHL jersey as a kid I was able to buy was Clark Gillies, of the New York Islanders. Much to my surprise, because not all draft choices go to the training camp, I was invited to training camp. I was around Trottier, Bossy, Gillies, Potvin, and Smith. It was an amazing thing to see as a 19-year-old kid.” Hrudey would not join the Islanders on their full-time roster until the 1983-84 season. At this time, Hrudey would be backing up the legendary Billy Smith, who won the Vezina trophy in 1982 and Conn Smythe trophy in 1983.

While Hrudey played with Smith, he was given a message that stuck with him throughout the rest of his career. “He was the guy that taught me the most about never letting somebody take your job. He was appropriately nicknamed Battling Billy, and the thing that he taught me are that somebody will eventually take your job, but make them earn it. I had to fight for years and years and years until I finally was able to be labelled the so-called number one goalie on the Islanders. He made it awfully difficult. I am proud to say I did the same thing in my career. Whenever anybody was coming up and hoping to have my job, they had to earn it. I wasn’t going to move aside easily for them.” Hrudey had a marvelous NHL career. In 15 seasons with the Islanders, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, Hrudey had a record of 271265-88 with a goals against average of 3.43, save percentage of .893 and 17 shutouts. Those are respectable numbers in an era where goals came significantly more frequently than they do today. During his playing days, Hrudey sported a bandana, something that became his trademark whenever he was between the pipes. Hrudey, who had long hair and contacts, needed something to prevent the sweat from running into his eyes. While with the Islanders, he tried head bands, but discovered a torn shirt was the most absorbent.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

He would play the rest of his career with this item of clothing tied around his head. Hrudey led the NHL in saves in 1988-89 with 1,718, a statistic that surprised him because he isn’t “much of a stats guy.” It was also during the 1988-89 season that Hrudey was traded to the Kings. This was known as the “Gretzky era” in Los Angeles and Hrudey has fond memories of playing with the Great One. “It was a great learning experience because when I came from the Islanders, I still had great experiences with the ultimate stars— Trottier, Bossy, Potvin and Smith. I thought I knew what popularity was and superstardom. But not until I played with Wayne and I saw the attention that he was given. I saw it briefly in the 1987 Canada Cup, because we were teammates there, but not until really I was playing with him on an everyday basis, did I recognize that every single place we went, it was all about Wayne Gretzky. He was very, very gracious. He was really awesome in sharing the spotlight. I was blown away by the enormity of his popularity.” In the 1994-95 season, the Kings missed the playoffs by one point. After his team was eliminated, Hockey Night in Canada producer John Shannon contacted Hrudey to see if he would be interested in being a studio analyst for the first round of the playoffs. Hrudey jumped at the opportunity. Hrudey said he was Shannon’s second choice. Shannon’s first choice was Gretzky, who declined. Hrudey said he always wanted to go into broadcasting once his playing days were over. While playing with the Islanders, he enjoyed being interviewed. While watching games on television, he also watched the intermissions and carefully studied the questions the reporters were asking the players. Early in his career as an analyst, Hrudey worked hard and tried to be as real as possible in his answers and not to be overly critical of players. The opportunity, however, initially made Hrudey nervous. “Everybody and everything about it was intimidating. That was the most afraid I have been in any work experience. I knew hockey and played hockey as a kid, and knew the ins and outs, even when I made the National Hockey League. To go into broadcasting, and be on a show like Hockey Night in Canada, and hear that iconic song in your ear right before you start talking. Everything about it was nervewracking.” After retiring with the Sharks in 1998, Hrudey went on to work for the CBC full-time as an analyst. This season Hrudey expanded his

broadcasting role to a full-time colour-commentator with the Calgary Flames on Rogers Sportsnet, in addition to his role as a studio analyst on various national broadcasts. Since his retirement, Hrudey and his family have called Calgary home. Hrudey wanted to be near his parents, who still live in Edmonton, and his wife’s family, who is based in Medicine Hat. Hrudey also wanted to be near a large airport so he could easily travel to large centres. Hrudey is active in a number of charities. His annual charity golf tournament raises funds for the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre, the Invermere Summit Youth Centre, and the Hockey Canada Skills Academy. Another charitable endeavour that Hrudey is close to is the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project. It is a project that helps parents recognize the signs of children, who experience issues associated with mental health. For many years, Hrudey’s daughter Kaitlin suffered from mental health issues. Today, Hrudey glows when speaking of Kaitlin. At 22 years of age, she is currently attending the University of Calgary, and is social. Hrudey believes Kaitlin’s ability to speak publicly about her past issues has given her more confidence. There is no question that Kelly Hrudey was a great goaltender and is a great broadcaster. But what makes Kelly Hrudey shine is his genuine personality. For my complete interview transcript with Hrudey, please go to www.hockeymagazine.net.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

ETHAN EDSTROM - AA Team: SSAC Alberta Sportswear The Wayne Gretzky Award is awarded to annually during Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week to a participant in the AA, BB and Junior programs. The recipients are nominated and chosen based on sportsmanship, scholastic achievement and community involvement. There are only five Wayne Gretzky miniatures statues in the world. In 1989 three of them were presented to George Dermott, President of the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association. These trophies are miniature replicas of the Wayne Gretzky Statue in front of Rexall Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta. Mr. John Weaver is the master artist who created the limited edition bronze statues. It is understood that once the statues were created the mold was destroyed and no more will ever be made. Presented annually to the players who best exemplify sportsmanship and dedication to the game, the Gretzky Awards embody those qualities that mark a true rising hockey star. Each player is nominated and chosen for scholastic achievement, community involvement, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey. Winners this year were presented with a scholarship. Congratulations to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipients of the Wayne Gretzky Award: Ethan Edstrom (AA), Quinn Sweetzer (BB), and Fabio Denardis (Junior).

From an early age Ethan loved all sports, including soccer, baseball and hockey. Although he started as defense back in initiation, he became a goaltender in atom and has enjoyed success on the ice through to his pee wee years. Just as Ethan plays a supportive role no matter which sport, this also applies within the community. Ethan has great compassion for those affected by homelessness and poverty, which has led him to create Save for Socks. For every save he makes, Ethan donates one pair of socks. This began in November and Ethan hopes to donate over 1,000 pairs of socks by the end of the season. To date he has collected over 600 socks. Ethan excels in his academic studies, maintaining honours with distinction status, and has received numerous regional and national awards.

QUINN SWEETZER - BB Team: NEZ Chaos Bantam

Quinn not only has been playing hockey for 10 years, but also has his Level One officiating certification and has served as an assistant coach within his Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club. Off the ice, Quinn is active in his school and the community. At school, he participates in the Big Brother program, as well as the school jazz band, all the while maintaining an excellent grade point average. Quinn also volunteers with the City of Edmonton Leaders in Training Program, serving as a day camp leader through the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green Shack program.

FABIO DENARDIS - Junior Team: Beverly Warriors

Fabio started playing hockey at the age of six. He is known by his coaching staff as a fun loving and outgoing person, but more importantly, as an individual who is looked upon for his leadership. His dedication and passion have been recognized by those both on and off the ice. Fabio has excelled in his academic studios, including maintaining an honours status where he is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Engineering at MacEwan University. Fabio has high aspirations to receive his Masters degree and to apply his leadership skills within his chosen profession.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Having to worry about making it to the United Center on time to catch the Chicago Blackhawks game on day 15 of a 30-day dream trip is a problem most hockey fans would love to have. It’s one of many finicky details a local man will have to contend with during his fantasy trip of a lifetime – to see 30 NHL games in all 30 NHL arenas, and to do it in 30 days. While this story could easily have ended at checking off a wish from the personal bucket-list of a life-long hockey fan, it doesn’t. Instead, he’s using his trip to help meet the wishes of ailing children. Edmonton businessman (and publisher of the very magazine you’re currently reading) Rob Suggitt has been a hockey fan his whole life. And he’s been itching to do the 30 games in 30 days trip for over a decade now. But it ain’t cheap and 30 days is a whole month! Not easy to arrange. But Suggitt, weary of always thinking, “Next year,” finally got the nudge he needed. “I’m very fortunate to be able to make this trip,” he said, “and I’ve been very fortunate with the health of my children, who are now young adults. But not all children have good health. So I thought it would be awesome to help Make-A-Wish.” Suggitt’s company has been a national partner with Make-A-Wish for years, and that’s how the idea of raising money for the Make-A-Wish foundation came up. The foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening conditions. Calling his campaign “Fill the Net with Wishes,” Suggitt hopes to raise $1,000 in every city he visits. It was a meeting with Make-A-Wish late last fall which cemented things. “They loved the idea immediately,” Suggitt explained. “All costs associated with the trip are completely mine. This is not a “net proceeds” campaign, so all money raised will go directly to Make-AWish, and people can access the donation page on-line, through a link with the Make-A-Wish website.” The charitable part of the trip – the good, worthwhile, fundraising stuff - was the easy part. Finding the right part of the NHL season, where it could logistically be done, was tricky. Mid-March to mid-April worked out best, both because there was enough of an NHL schedule to make it possible, and because it’s when Suggitt’s publishing business will allow him the time. “There were a couple of days where there were only two games that day,” he said of all the detailed work (though certainly a labour of love) involved in creating a doable itinerary. “So those became the cornerstone games, and then I had to work backwards. You know, there’s probably some computer program that somebody could create to do this, but I did it all by hand.” The other cool thing was the occasional bonus. “Looking at the schedule, and realizing there’s a game in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day – I had to do that, so that game was a must,” he noted gleefully. “And I hoped that the last day would be in Edmonton, but it didn’t work out. Instead, the last game is Toronto, ‘centre of the hockey universe,’ and they play the Montreal Canadiens, the team I cheered for growing up. So we finish up in Toronto.” Suggitt estimates the entire trip, for which he is picking up the cost, zigzagging across the NHL landscape, will cover about 38,000 kilometres – or just about the distance around the Earth. He’ll cross the border eight times, happily explaining to customs officials what he’s doing each time he crosses, and will probably spend more time inside airports than the actual hockey arenas. “I have thought about that,” he stated pragmatically. “I’m a good traveler. I like flying in

airplanes. I don’t like airports though – who does? But I have thought about that, and as exciting as this trip is, that’s not the best part: waiting in line, waiting for check-ins, inevitable travel delays, etc. – that part’s not terrific. But it’s the means to an end.” Determined to save time by travelling only with a carry-on bag, Suggitt’s trip comes complete with one night in his own bed: Edmonton is stop 11. And while the trip is mostly a solo effort, his wife plans to join him for the first week, and a handful of other family members and friends will meet up with him on a few travel dates. “You could call it the planes, trains and automobiles trip, but there’s only one train ride, which is Amtrak from New York to Philadelphia, and there are only two car rides: Los Angeles to Anaheim, and Pittsburgh to Buffalo,” he said. Hotels with in-house laundries will be key, as will making all the connections. “I’ve got back-up plans for the back-ups.” With family and his company solidly behind him, Suggitt knows that

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he’s fortunate to indulge in his dream trip. But he wanted it to be more than a successful businessman’s indulgence so he’s given it a “pay it forward” aspect. “When I spoke to Make-a-Wish, they thought it was great,” he is happy to report. “They wanted to line up a whole bunch of things for it, and there was incredible interest to do something on a level where we could generate significant funds to their cause – a cause that’s pretty important to me and my organization.”

Follow Rob Suggitt’s trip, or make a donation to Make-A-Wish, at www.30games-30nights.com

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

What are your other hobbies and interests? Some of my hobbies include road hockey, wakeboarding, and I have a huge interest in firefighting as I am a volunteer firefighter for the Lac Ste. Anne County.

Do you still play hockey, and if so, for what team? I stopped playing hockey last year after I tore my ACL.

What made you want to become a hockey official? At first it was all about the money, but at the same time I have always had an interest in officiating and as I got older I have grown to love it even more.

How many games have you officiated so far this season? I don’t keep track but If I had to guess maybe around 100-150 games this season.

What level of hockey are you currently officiating? Currently officiating for the north east zone, and working my way up into the A program as a linesman.

Have you ever officiated during Minor Hockey Week, and if so, what makes you volunteer your time? We met up with 17-year Mackenzie Maidment in early February, as he was ready to officiate a game at Glengarry arena. Mackenzie is currently in Grade 12 and attends Archbishop O’Leary High School. His future aspirations are to become a firefighter, but for now, his part time job is a hockey official. Mackenzie took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about himself and his minor hockey officiating experience. When did you first start officiating hockey? I started officiating when I was 13 years old.

What other sports or activities do you participate in? For my Grades 10 and 11 years I played high school football. In the summer I like doing a lot of water sports at the lake, and I still love to play hockey.

I have worked minor hockey every year since I started. The atmosphere and excitement of Minor Hockey Week is a great one to be in, I like to see everyone, coaches, players, and fans, get excited, it makes the games a lot of fun. And now that I am done playing hockey it is a great way to still be able to be a part of Minor Hockey Week.

What do you enjoy most about officiating hockey games? What I enjoy most about officiating is being able to make a difference out there on the ice. I have always had a passion for hockey and officiating I feel is a good way to keep the passion alive.

What kind of training were/are you provided? Every year there has been older officials that have helped me get better. I don’t necessarily have one certain role model or mentor that has helped me along the way, but like I said the older, more experienced officials acted as a mentor towards me especially in my younger years of officiating.

What is the toughest part about being a referee? The toughest part about being a referee is being able to make the right call in the situations where the call isn’t clear as day. Yes, we as officials have to deal with some bad parents and coaches but over the years I have learned to stick with the call I made and not worry about what people say.

How have you improved your skills as an official? I have improved my skills by going to an officials’ clinic every year, and by just keeping at it. I feel that anyone’s skills as an official comes with practice just like anything else.

How do you handle criticism on the ice? As a first year official I didn’t do well with criticism. I found it very intimidating. Now I go over and talk to the coaches in a respectful way and explain what I called and why I called it. Doing it in a respectful manner calms the coaches down and now maybe they see why I made the call I did.

Do you have comments you wish to share with parents, coaches or anyone watching minor hockey? Officials start out at the age of 13, and go all the way up. The one thing I have learned about being an official is that you’re not going to make the right call every single time, you’re going to miss even more, and it is a much different perspective on the game. At the end of the day most of us officials are still pretty young and we are out there on the ice calling the best game we can.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine