Gordon Juckes Award – Randy Henderson

From player to coach to administrator, Randy Henderson has given more than 60 years of his life to hockey.

A member of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors from 2018-20, Randy has had a front-row seat to hockey at every level of the game during 20-plus years in the boardroom. A Prince George, B.C., resident, he got his administrative start as president of the Cariboo/North Central district before joining BC Hockey in 2002, serving three seasons as district director before joining the board of directors as an officer-at-large before taking over as president (and later chair of the board) in 2014. After his time with Hockey Canada, Randy rejoined the BC Hockey board last year.

Throughout his career, Randy has highlighted the importance of inclusion in hockey. A dedicated teacher and principal in Prince George, Henderson volunteered his time to initiatives like the Hockey Canada Safety Program and Speak Out! During his time with Hockey Canada he was the board representative with the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Team, and in recent years he has co-chaired the Indigenous Participation Work Group with BC Hockey.

Aside from his advocacy work, Randy believes in the integration of technology within policy governance, striving to make BC Hockey a leader in programming within Hockey Canada’s Members. His commitment to innovation has led the provincial organization to develop and grow its reach further into northern British Columbia, with the opening of a BC Hockey Regional Centre in Prince George in 2019.

 

 

Female Breakthrough Award – Julie Bédard

Since 2007, Julie Bédard been an integral part of the Association de hockey féminin de Laval (AHFL), holding almost every position in the organization, from the team level as a coach, team manager and safety person, to the administrative level as a communications manager and division manager. She was also president of the AHFL’s women’s hockey tournament, and had stints as vice-president and president of the AHFL itself, helping to make the organization a regional leader in women’s hockey.

Julie is a major contributor to the success of the AHFL and its 240+ players. During her time as president, the AHFL was recognized as one of Hockey Quebec’s model local hockey associations. Every season, Julie helps organize open houses and provides free equipment to beginners to help with the recruitment of new players. 

She was a founding member of the integrated structure for AAA women’s hockey in the province, and her involvement led to the pairing of AA and AAA women’s teams in the Montreal and Laval regions to allow for logical and efficient development of women’s hockey in the regions. 

Julie was a leader in the Laval region during the creation of the Ligue interrégionale de hockey féminin (LIHF), which brings together AA and A teams from eight regions. She currently serves as vice-president of the LIHF, responsible for developing women’s hockey and ensuring sustainability within the organization. She is also the provincial liaison for the LIHF and a member of the board of directors.

Julie has always put the players first and prioritizes their well-being and development in a healthy and inclusive environment. She understands the precariousness of women’s hockey and, despite challenges, has been able to help the game grow in her region. 

 

 

Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Award – Emmy Fecteau

The captain of Team Canada at the 2023 Winter Universiade, Emmy Fecteau led the red and white to a gold medal in Lake Placid while exemplifying what it means to be a leader off the ice, in the classroom and in the community.

Playing the last four seasons with the University of Concordia (where she played under previous award winner Caroline Ouellette), Emmy’s time as a student-athlete has been highlighted by a positive attitude and strong work ethic. The 24-year-old is studying to become a English-as-a-second-language teacher, hoping to provide English resources to the French-speaking community of Beauce, while promoting the importance of balancing academics and sport.

Her exceptional performance in the classroom, on the ice and in the community led her to being recognized as the Stingers’ 2023 Female of the Year, as well as the recipient of the Denise Beaudet Award in recognition of her academic, athletic and community services.

A member of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team in the summer of 2019, the Saint-Odilon-de-Cranbourne, Que., native has emphasized the importance of putting the team first whenever she hits the ice. That mentality was vital for the Stingers’ success over the past four seasons – back-to-back RSEQ champions in 2022 and 2023 and a U SPORTS national championship in 2022.

A leader in her hometown, Emmy continues to promote participation in and the development of women’s hockey. She provides free training sessions for girls and players from ages four to 11, introducing them to the fundamentals of hockey. With her vision of promoting more participation in women’s hockey, she started an all-women hockey camp at the Lac-Etchemin Arena with Hockey Quebec, serving as a role model and mentor in the community.

 

 

Officiating Award – Serge Carpentier

With over 20 seasons of officiating in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) under his belt, Serge Carpentier defines what it means to be dedicated to officiating.

His résumé includes a record 983 regular-season games and 239 more in the playoffs between 1991 and 2012, plus six Memorial Cups, two IIHF World Championships and the 1996 IIHF World Junior Championship. His contributions were recognized in 2013 when named a national supervisor by Hockey Canada.

Since hanging up his whistle, Serge has continued to be involved in officiating as the head supervisor of officials in the Ligue de développement du hockey M18 AAA du Québec (LDHM18AAAQ) for the last 10 years. In this position, his greatest accomplishment would undoubtedly be his role in inspiring and developing officials at the provincial and national levels.

Meticulous, organized, passionate and dedicated to the development of young officials, Serge has been a role model and mentor throughout his career. He has dedicated his time to working with officials of all ages, holding training sessions and workshops to help continue to raise the level of officiating.

Thanks to his mentorship, officials have been equipped with the knowledge and experience to take the next step in their officiating careers. He has been involved in the progression and success of officials who have risen through the ranks of officiating over the past 20 years, often working behind the scenes and away from the spotlight. His knowledge, vast experience, deep expertise and direct and personal involvement have often made the difference in the careers of Quebec’s best officials,

Because of his leadership and guidance, the interest in officiating in Quebec has risen and Serge’s influence can be seen throughout the Hockey Canada system, on the international stage and into the National Hockey League.

 

 

Order of Merit (Atlantic) – Arnold Kelly

Since first lacing up his skates with the Holy Spirit Minor Hockey Association in 1970, Arnold Kelly has made an impact on and off the ice in Newfoundland and Labrador.

After a successful minor league career, which included leading the Conception Bay South Foxtrap to a league championship in 1985, Arnold continued to give back to hockey as a coach and trainer before joining the Canadian Forces in 1990. Stationed at CFB Goose Bay, Arnold’s passion for hockey continued; he competed at three CF regional championships.

Once his Canadian Forces career came to a close, Arnold served in numerous hockey positions with the Lake Melville Minor Hockey Association, earning him recognition from Hockey Canada in 2001. He would move on to hold the position of president of the Lake Melville Xtreme Minor Hockey Association (LMXMHA) from 2005-08, further growing the game within the community.

Inducted into the Conception Bay South Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, Arnold played a big part in advocating for women’s hockey in the province, coaching numerous provincial women’s teams to successes during his time behind the bench. His impact earned him the LMXMHA Award for Dedication and Commitment to Female Hockey in 2008.

He first joined Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008 when he took a spot on Minor Council, eventually rising to chair the council before serving one season as president in 2021-22

Arnold’s dedication to his hockey community runs in the family; his father, Gerry, was a long-time volunteer on the East Coast and is a Life Member of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

 

Order of Merit (Central) – Jason Perrier

For more than 30 years, Jason Perrier has played a vital role in developing and promoting hockey in Northwestern Ontario. Currently the president of Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), Jason has been involved in minor hockey his entire life, from playing the sport in Thunder Bay to coaching and now as an administrator.

After coaching for more than 10 years at a variety of levels, Jason joined the Thunder Bay Beavers as an executive and soon became the president of the minor hockey organization, a position he held for 15 years. He joined the HNO Board of Directors in 2005 and served in a variety of roles – as junior chair, development convenor and on the finance committee, to name a few – before he was elected president in 2019.

In his four years in the top job, Jason has worked to make the sport more inclusive and create positive environments to allow young participants develop and grow as players and as people. He also helped the organization navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented challenges it brought to the game.

Although he has spent most of his career in minor hockey, Jason has also served on the Hockey Canada Governance Committee, was chair of the directorate for the 2012 Dudley Hewitt Cup and chaired several HNO AAA playdowns.

Outside of his dedication to hockey, Jason actively volunteers for multiple organizations. He is the current chair of the Shelter House in Thunder Bay and is on the board of directors for the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. He has volunteered countless hours and been through adversity, but continuously shows up with a positive attitude, looks at the big picture and ensures everyone is given an equal opportunity.

 

 

Order of Merit (West) – Lynne Kiang

When Lynne Kiang realized that hockey would not be able to function without volunteers, she found a natural fit within the sport. She got involved at the team level first, becoming the U11 division manager, helping with tournaments and then becoming involved in the Richmond Minor Hockey Association (RMHA) board.

In order to appeal to a larger demographic in recruitment, Lynne helped to lead efforts to translate documents into different languages to promote diversity and inclusion. After working with the RMHA, she moved to BC Hockey's largest district, the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association (PCAHA). She has held many different administrative roles throughout minor hockey and previously served as president of the PCAHA for four years.

Lynne is currently the chair of BC Hockey's newly formed Equity Diversity and Inclusion Work Group. She has also served on several Hockey Canada task groups and has volunteered at Hockey Canada events, like the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Her innovation and dedication to multiculturalism and promoting hockey within British Columbia, the Lower Mainland and in Richmond over the past 30 years is unparalleled. Although Lynne and her husband Yu-Zhi balance busy work and life schedules as pharmacists, she continues to work selflessly on many projects grow the game. Her volunteer work has also inspired her own sons to get involved volunteering and give back to hockey.

A role model in her community, Lynne believes hockey is better when everyone sees themselves represented at the rink and continues to work to make that a reality.

 

 

Hal Lewis Award (Member) – Will Metske

There is a group that is always front of mind for Will Metske, no matter what task or project he is working on: the players. Day in and day out, Will’s focus is on players and what impact any decision may have on their experience.

As the operations director with the Ontario Hockey Federation, Will has created a gold standard for technology for the engagement of volunteers, stakeholders and staff. He is also the communication channel between Hockey Canada and the OHF. Over the past nine years, Will has enhanced the Member, making championships a greater and easier experience for hosts through processes and partnerships.

When faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, he went above and beyond his role to assist with supporting the board of directors with Return to Hockey framework. Will has maintained that same dedication as he assists the OHF with taking on Hockey Canada Accredited Schools evaluations and approvals.

Will always approaches challenges with a positive attitude. Located in Ingersoll, Ont., he spends his spare time as an on-ice official. Despite a busy workload, Will makes the time to give back because he wants to ensure players have a great experience.

 

 

Hal Lewis Award (Hockey Canada) – Jeremy Knight

Recognized for his professionalism, dependability and solutions-based work ethic, Jeremy Knight has gone above and beyond to contribute to Hockey Canada and its Members.

The North Vancouver, B.C., native works with media members across the country, handling requests and managing day-to-day corporate communications initiatives, while also continuing to evolve corporate and brand messaging that supports Hockey Canada’s mission to lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences.

Jeremy also led event communications for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton, which had the largest on-site contingent of local, national and international media for a single-venue World Juniors in more than 30 years.

His positive outlook and calm demeanour in any situation are well-suited for his role, and his co-workers know he is always ready to assist anyone who is looking for advice. Jeremy consistently shows compassion in his work, and his desire for the individuals around him to be the best version of themselves is evident in everything he does.