Celebrating Hockey Canada Champions


Hockey Canada wants to shine the light on Canadians who are making a significant impact on our game. Hockey Canada Champions can be a player, coach, official, parent, volunteer or anyone who demonstrates the values important to Canadian hockey.

Together with our 13 Members, Hockey Canada is searching for those who lead the way to provide a best-in-class hockey experience for all involved, creating a safe and fun environment where everyone feels welcome and accepted, and has the opportunity to be part of our game!

Know someone who should be celebrated? Help us tell their story – nominate them today!

HC CHAMPION – HARBANS BAINS
The past president of Surrey Minor Hockey has made the game more accessible and welcoming for newcomers to Canada, while instilling athletes with a belief in themselves.
With a passion for sharing her love of hockey, 17-year-old Willa Evans enjoys coaching to give back to her community.
The coach co-founded the Skillz Black Aces to provide an inclusive team environment for BIPOC players in the GTA.
HC Champion: Ryder Rodriguez
Since 2019, the 10-year-old from Manitoba has lead The Hat Trick Project, raising money to help keep kids in the game.
HC Champion: Vicky Jolicoeur
Vicky Jolicoeur provides young athletes on the autism spectrum with a safe and fun place to learn and love the game.
HC Champion: Tiya Bainbridge
Tiya Bainbridge has raised more than $40,000 for SickKids Foundation after her own battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Champion: Garrett McFadden
Garrett McFadden is growing mental health awareness at the grassroots with his McFadden’s Movement initiative.
HC Champion: Scott Henderson
An unwavering commitment to help players fall in love with the game makes Scott Henderson a real Champion of the game.
HC Champion: Krista Hodder
Krista Hodder is reducing the barriers to play for young girls from the Membertou First Nation community in Nova Scotia.
HC Champion: Stu Gershman
After losing his son at 22, Dr. Stu Gershman founded Buddy Check for Jesse to end the stigma around mental health.
HC Champion: Jill Fraser
Jill Fraser helped create a bubble to keep girls’ teams in the Kincardine MHA safely on the ice this season.
HC Champion: Dean Smith
Dean Smith is leading the charge to ensure hockey is safe and welcoming for anyone in Nova Scotia who wants to play.
HC Champion: Chris Petrichuk
Chris Petrichuk helped build three all-girls teams in Balcarres, Sask., and resurrected the U18 program in Melville.
HC Champion: M. Estabrooks
Matt Estabrooks doesn’t just teach hockey, he teaches life skills that will benefit his young players outside the game.
HC Champion: Andrew Boyle
He spends hours volunteering and captains his Junior B team. Just 21, Andrew Boyle is a community leader in Antigonish.
HC Champion: Chantel Timmons
The LHA president and a hockey mom, Chantel Timmons has spent 13 years making sure the game thrives in Bow Island.
HC Champion: Mikael Kingo
A 16-year-old goaltender, Mikael Kingo is making a big impact off the ice, including helping other young netminders.

- AMBASSADORS BECOME CHAMPIONS -

As of September 2020, Ambassadors have been rebranded to Champions as part of the new-look Hockey Canada Community. Congratulations to the Canadians who have been previously recognized for their tireless work in their communities, and their efforts to #makehockeymore.

HC CHAMPION: SCOTT HENDERSON
An unwavering commitment to starting players the right way through introduction programs like the First Shift, makes Scott Henderson a real Champion of the game.
HC Ambassador: B. Nicholson
Bill Nicholson has helped more than 2,000 kids enjoy their first strides through the Timbits program in Thunder Bay.
HC Ambassador: S. Piller
From a simple first step – find a team for his daughter – Shaun Piller has built an entire girls’ hockey program.
HC Ambassador: Trevor McLellan
In 2010, Caronport had no hockey. Enter Trevor McLellan, who has rebuilt the game in small-town Saskatchewan.
HC Ambassador: Richard Powell
Richard Powell got involved in minor hockey to be part of his kids’ experience, but he ended up a community leader.
HC Ambassador: Doug Lowther
Doug Lowther has spent more than 30 years as a coach, and half of it has been introducing young players to the game.
HC Ambassador: Shellany Brewer
Girls were choosing to leave hockey until Shellany Brewer created the Central Female Hockey Association in New Brunwick.
HC Ambassador: Roy Sakaki
Roy Sakaki loves the game as much as anyone, and the City of Salmon Arm wouldn’t be the same without its ‘Mr. Hockey.’
With tireless behind-the-scenes efforts in hockey and soccer in Chilliwack, Andrea Laycock makes the most of her 24 hours.
HC Ambassador: Sharon Oldford
After seeing para hockey close to home in Yellowknife, Sharon Oldford has become a champion of the sport in the North.
HC Ambassador: Ava Foote
An accident left her young hockey career in doubt, but the eight-year-old Nova Scotian never took no for an answer.
HC Ambassador: Justin Charest
Born with a congenital malformation in his knees, the 11-year-old persevered to make his minor hockey dreams a reality.
HC Ambassador: Paul Rutherford
More than 50 years after he first pulled on the stripes, the long-time official has become a Saskatchewan hockey staple.
HC Ambassador: Eric Payne
Not wanting to give up the game following a motorcycle accident, Eric has become a leader for sledge hockey on P.E.I.
HC Ambassador: Eleanor Muir
More than 30 years after she first pulled on the stripes, the grandmother continues to mentor young officials in Russell.
The couple is dedicated to making the West Carleton MHA better, planning events off the ice and developing skills on it.
Who’s your Hockey Canada Ambassador?
Calling all Canadians! Who makes hockey happen in your community? Nominate a local leader as a Hockey Canada Ambassador.
HC Ambassador: Morgan Mullin
She is a former player, a coach, a mother and a driving force behind the 2017 Esso Cup, helping develop the female game.
HC Ambassador: Mike Campbell
His birth certificate says 91 years old, but the New Waterford, N.S., native isn’t ready to hang up his skates quite yet.
HC Ambassador: Michael Small
He has only lived in Sanikiluaq for a few years, but Michael Small is changing lives by giving young girls a chance to play.
HC Ambassador: Kobe Poulin
Born without his left arm, eight-year-old Kobe Poulin is overcoming obstacles and leaving his mark on hockey in Regina.
HC Ambassador: Ian Corkin
He fills a role behind the scenes, but it’s his dedication to the sport that proves he’s deserving of the spotlight.
HC Ambassador: Ryan Nelson
Between coaching, refereeing and helping new Canadians, the volunteer has made a second home at Hillsborough Arena.
HC Ambassador: Nolan Moores
The seven-year-old has faced his struggle with autism on and off the ice, but his love for Canada’s game has never faltered.
HC Ambassadors: Lebouthillier and Lewis
Involved with the Capital City Condors since 2007, Shawn and Lloyd make sure everyone has a chance to play Canada’s game.
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